Bonjour, Mes Amis!

I’m just back from a trip to Paris with my mom and sister which was super lovely. 

I’ve been playing catch up this week, but I have a lot on my brain regarding blogging and writing lately.  

I’m taking a new writing course and doing some new projects to breathe a little life into my blog. 

Because new inspiration + new adventures = happy blogging!

So, here are 5 great things about blogging + writing + storytelling that I have read lately.

I think they are all super helpful!!

Why + How to Update Old Blog Posts. If you have been blogging for a long time, this is post is for you! Sarah explains how she waaaaay upped her page views using these easy tips. Yay for increased traffic to old posts!

Stop Hiding Your Misery: Why Your Readers Love Watching You Suffer. Guys! Being real on the internet is not just freeing, it engages and intrigues your readers. I go in phases with sharing my heart on my blog, but I’m always surprised by how people respond. 

Traditional Publishing vs. Self Publishing. I have really been committed to traditional publishing for my first book, but this post (and several others) have me thinking that maybe it’s time to self-publish. Good stuff. 

Free Writing Webinars from Leigh at the Creative Revolution. Also, she’s hosting a writing retreat in Nicaragua. (Yes please!) Leigh is forever putting helpful information out into the world for those of us who are trying to make a living as writers. Thank you!

The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr. I have been slowly working my way through this brilliant book. Mary Karr is is the queen of memoir. Her (THREE!) memoirs are some of my favorite books in the world. Reading about how she pulled those stories out of her brain and edited them to bits is making me pay closer attention to the world and tell my own stories better. Here’s a great quote from the book: 

“Literature makes us better noticers of life; we get to practice on life itself; which in turn makes us better readers of detail in literature; which in turn makes us better readers of life.” ? Mary Karr, The Art of Memoir

I would love to hear what you’ve found lately that is inspiring or helpful for you in blogging (and in life)!

What adventures are you taking in blogging in 2016?

I’ll be back next month with a new column about blogging, after I finish editing all my photos of Paris!

XO

Alison