Today we welcome Angela Artemis to the Life of a Blogger series! Angela is a beautiful soul and a wonderful medium who has shared her wisdom and experience in her book, The Intuition Principle!
I work in the financial industry – which is not a very creative profession so, to nurture my creativity I started a blog. Powered by Intuition is where I write about metaphysical topics such as meditation, spirituality, intuition development, parapsychology and mediumship.
It’s thrilling to have a platform where I can share my interests so openly. It means I am free to be the person I was meant to be – to talk about the things that interest me and – to commune with like-minded individuals. Being a blogger is so much better than merely being a “writer” because, you get to know the people who are reading you. This is what creates a “community,” which is so cool especially, when you get to know people from all over the world.
To me blogging is a lot like having hundreds of pen-pals, which is something I did and loved when I was young. There was something sacred about trading letters with people you’d never met; the way you got to know one another gradually and eventually, became friends pouring your heart and soul out to each other. Answering reader email feels a bit like that for me.
I often lose myself in the process of writing and hours can go by unnoticed. Luckily, I’ve never had writers block because, I don’t plan ahead nor do I use an editorial calendar. I just sit down and write whatever comes to me. When I first started blogging I had dozens of unfinished drafts in my files. I have learned to press publish no matter what.
One of the biggest reasons I love blogging is because the process of writing helps me to understand what I think about things. I’m not very good at formulating my ideas until I see them on paper. Writing them out helps to organize my thinking. I’ll read something I’ve written and I say, “Oh so that’s what I think about that aye?” It’s funny. I surprise myself sometimes!
Blogging has been very liberating for me. It has freed me to be more fully “me” and for that I am so grateful. It has also allowed me to develop a mediumship practice – which I love because I think it is so healing to someone who is dealing with grief. If something were to prevent me from blogging I would miss it terribly. I think I would go through withdrawal symptoms as bad as any heroin addict, to be perfectly honest.
Do you use an editorial calendar or do you write whatever you are moved to write? Do you ever face writer’s block? How do you overcome it?
See other posts in this series here! Would you like to tell your story? Email me and I’ll send you the Guidelines for submitting your contribution.
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Hi Angela,
I did post a quick pointer to your post on Twitter - was invited by Lori to repost here. :^)
My comment was a quote of a quote by my first boss. When asked about his insistence on writing requirements down and documenting our designs, he would always quote: "How do I know what I think until I see what I say?"
I believe the truth is this - When we think, unless we consciously verbalize, our thoughts are nebulous and amorphous. They may be bright, bold, dim, inspired or visions of a better world, but until we bring them out from ourselves to reality they do not progress beyond the fuzzy shapes of feeling and take on the crisp edges that we so often need to bring them further along. It is the act of writing or of speaking or drawing that brings those thoughts into focus.
For many, writing is their method - occasionally I write in a journal or generate poetry in order to work through deep feelings or ideas and to bring things into focus. However, I more often draw diagrams of ideas to work them out and communicate (example: http://pic.twitter.com/DMjGD5oyFW, http://pic.twitter.com/tlzQijpHIf ). Both cases bring things into definition and greater clarity. However when I go to the piano and compose, things may be worked through and convey feelings to others, but it never brings that crisp, unambiguous communication unless words are added.
Inspiration is a great thing, but it is when it passes the portal to expression and takes solid form that it finally has the possibility to have impact on ourselves and others.
But first - "How do I know what I think until I see it?"
Give it form and then share it.
Best regards,
Keil Coppes,
@KDCoppes @kdcoppes
@kdcoppes @kdcoppes @KDCoppes KD, It's' great to meet you.
I think your boss was truly inspired. I love that: How do I know what I think until I see it.
That is exactly how I feel when I am thinking. It's all rather fuzzy and nebulous until I capture my thoughts on paper..
I agree too that inspiration is all well and good but, its true awesomeness comes with implementation.
Drawing diagrams and playing the piano - you are an artist not just a writer. What a gifted creative soul you are!
Hi Angela,
I do get writers block sometimes. I try to keep an inventory of articles from which I can draw if I need to post. There are times when I get no ideas at all while sometimes I get a lot. I write a few more articles when I get more ideas. That keeps the stream flowing. Blogging is great because it has won me many friends .
@blogaks Hi - it's so nice to meet you. I think it's normal to feel blocked once in a while. I didn't mean to imply that I'm a never ending fountain of ideas. There are time when I'm just too tired and I don't feel like writing. But, when I'm ready the ideas do flow.
I think it's brilliant to keep an inventory of articles on hand! I have a few stockpiled away myself......for that very reason. We all need a break once in a while.
Writing a few articles at a time is an excellent idea. I've never done that - although I'd sure like too! I need a few cups of coffee in me to do it!
I love blogging for the same reason - now I"m happy to call you a new friend!
Hi. Angela! Nice to meet you in cyber space.
That's an interesting post. I like all your writing, as your connection with life resonates with me. Your book: The Intuition Principle makes key statements why it is beneficial to attune to intuitive intelligence. We are still very much influenced by an overtly patriarchal dogma and approach to life that is inherently unbalanced with out a counter-balance of intuitive receptive input.
I am not a 'blogger' and don't even know what an Editorial Calendar is. Perhaps it is just as well.
Logic and rational thought has its limitations in creative endeavours. I prefer a more intuitive approach to creative self expression and problem solving these days, as like you, I have previously relied on rational approaches until realising the limitations of this way of thinking exclusively to the negation of more receptive intuitive connections with life when I am able to let it flow. Like a poetic muse, such states of being can come and go like dreams through the ether of our desires and needs. I often produce 'purple prose' : a more poetic way of linking with the intuitive mind of collective feeling.
This is often surprising as it may seem, more appealing to high finance bankers and speculators, as they need more intuitive input to survive in their 'dog eat dog' competitive domain of operation and need to sense acutely when the next financial 'crash' is going to inevitably arise once more when financial confidence diminishes into the 'blue yonder' and panic prevails. There does not seem to be occupations in finance in the next domain of life except accounting of 'karmic credits' but being more intuitive is a definite asset beyond monetary value and can accrue unbounded interest of abundance 100% in tune with life.
@Paul Sanyasi Paul, it is a true pleasure to meet you as well. I like the way you think. I'm so happy to hear that you read my book and see the benefits of developing your intuition - as you clearly do. I couldn't agree with you more: We do live in a society heavily skewed toward the more masculine ways of thinking and seeing things. The intuitive process is much more fluid and open to picking up on subtle sensations and feelings rather than just what is in "black and white." I honestly think we are living in the Age of Intuition at this time. And, this is where the balance, you refer to, will emerge.
I'm glad you're not a blogger Paul. It's good to get an outside perspective here. You're not missing a thing not knowing what an editorial calendar is either since none of us here seems to want to use one. (It's a plan for what you will write about and publish over the next several months or year).
I am in total agreement here that logic and rational thoughts do have limitations when it comes to creative endeavors. You can't use either to be "creative." Creativity flows through the same channel as intuition and imagination. When we tap into these three we are reaching out way beyond the confines of the physical brain for these inspired ideas.
I've never heard of "purple prose" but, I would like to learn more. It sounds very interesting.
I also agree that bankers could use an extra helping of intuition!
Thank you for sharing your fascinating views with us here.
I love the variety of experiences you're embracing in this life Angela - from your job in finance to your creative writing to your work in the spiritual realm! I agree with you that the process of writing is so revelatory! Often I like to envision my ideas as the particles of energy that they are floating right above my head, and that when I allow them to enter into my consciousness, move down my arm, then out through my pen, I've LITERALLY manifested them by the simple act of writing them down :).
@Sabrina at MyMiBoSo Dear Sabrina, What a delight to meet you. I love how you describe what you imagine the manifestation process of writing to be! This sounds like it could become a terrific guided meditation for writers.
You are very creative and clearly gifted with a wonderful imagination. The perfect combination for a prolific writer.
I find that my ideas just surface from seemingly nowhere. I find the idea of building an editorial calendar intimidating. Mostly I write, and then juggle the timing of the posts around in a order that makes sense for the week.
@Karin Hurt Hi Karin,
Welcome to Life, for instance! It's nice to meet you!
It sounds like we have the same process! I feel my ideas are just "coming" to me lately - two a week, which is exactly what I need. At the beginning of the week I have no clue what I'll write but by the end of the week there are two more loaded and ready!
Latest blog post: Have You Ever Asked for a Sign?
@Karin Hurt Hi Karin, It's lovely to meet you. My feeling about the editorial calendar is that it "ropes me in" too much. I suppose that's the similar to being intimidated. I don't want to commit to writing something ahead of time. What if I don't feel like it when the time comes?
"Juggle" is a good word when it comes to blogging. We do a lot of that don't we? I find I have to "juggle" to fit in my life offline. LOL.
Hi Angela! This is funny - I think maybe all of us have the same thing driving us to blog? I too was a huge pen pal writer, to cousins in other states and to people in foreign lands, kept a journal, and put a big X through the idea of an editorial calendar. People tell you that you can't be successful without one, but psssht. Guess again, folks - look at all the great writers here who don't use one but go with what moves them instead.
Everything I write lately is from what's happened during the week. Often I have to cut and paste from 2 or 3 blog drafts in order to "see" what spirit was trying to show me during the week and make the whole thing gel, both for me and for my readers. Other times, I feel compelled to sit down and write, and have no idea what's going to come out - but it always comes out. I don't get writer's block per se, but I do have times when I am not in the mood to write, so I don't.
@Julie | A Clear Sign There is no point in trying to write when you're not in the mood, is there Julie!? That's got to be rule #1!
@Julie | A Clear Sign Hello dear Julie, I think we all share a special "blogging gene" that drives us to sit in front of our computers waaaay too long! We are all writers and communicators at heart.
I also agree with Jane's comment about loving the feedback. I think this is the real reason why love blogging so much. The feedback is the special ingredient that makes blogging so irristible. We should have a name for it like "blogger's catnip?"
We seem to have a consensus here regarding not using editorial calendars. Now that I know I'm not alone in - I can get rid of the guilt.
Julie I really enjoy reading your posts and you can be so funny. I laugh out loud at times when I read your articles. I too have times when I'm not in the mood to write. It's usually because I'm just too tired.
Hi Angela, I love your comparison to pen-pals. No-one ever said they weren't 'real' friends just because you hadn't met in real life. It's the same with blogging and commenting, we get to know people who we may well have more in common with than our physical neighbours and it's even better than being an old-style book author because your readers can talk back to you. And for me, that feedback is often what actually inspires the next post!
@Jane Bailey Bain Dear Jane,
It's such a pleasure to meet. Oh joy - a new "virtual" ;pen pal! It's true. I became "friends" with my pen pals even though I had never met them as well.
I agree. I think I have a lot more in common with my blogging buddies than I do with the people at my job!
Jane, I totally understand what you're saying about the feedback. I think that is the magical ingredient that makes us all love writing a blog.
Like Angela and Elle and others, I don't have an editorial calendar. About twice a week, I sit down to write something and see what happens. I often write down quotes or ideas on sticky notes stuck around my computer, so if I need an idea, I look though these. But often what I think I'm going to write doesn't turn out to be what I actually write. I'm intrigued by all the various approaches people take. Our creative minds work in such diverse and interesting ways!
@galenpearl Writing twice a week has become my pattern of late too Galen. Do you ever start the week wondering if two posts will come out that week? :o
@galenpearl
Dear Galen,
Yes - I do the same thing too. I write little "snippets' of ideas on sticky notes during the week but, like you when I sit down to write something different comes out. It's the most surprising process and one that I enjoy the most. I think that when we "create" this way you are in "flow" and that's why we enjoy it so much.
I can spend as much as 8 hours writing, editing and searching for the right image and quote for a post. I wish I were faster but, it takes as long as it takes.
xoxo,
Angela
I love getting a glimpse into your world and experience of blogging @AngelaArtemis ! And I remember the days of the penpal well. Honestly, I miss that energy, both writing to someone and receiving it in the mail. A very different feeling from email.
But I'm so happy to have connected with you, my virtual penpal ;)
Latest blog post: Living Life as a Creative Adventure
@Sandi Amorim @AngelaArtemis I remember that feeling of receiving a letter and saving it to enjoy later! You're right - email is not the same, but the immediacy of it is hard to beat, I used to enjoy preparing the letter, collecting my thoughts, choosing nice stationery. In a way, writing a blog post is more akin to writing to a pen pal than writing an email!
@Sandi Amorim
Dear Sandi,
It's my pleasure to share a glimpse too. You're so right getting a hand-written letter in the mail is a totally different experience than checking email. I used to look forward to those letters immensely. I'm so glad we are virtual pen pals now as well!
xoxo,
Angela
Dearest Angela...so much of what you wrote resonated with me. I was beginning to think I was way out of the loop on how I wrote (not unusual really) I couldn't write the way you were 'supposed' to. In fact sometimes I sit at my computer and simply so okay, go, without a clue on the topic or where I'm going with it.
And as you say, I often find myself writing about something I want to pay more attention to myself, or an experience which gets me back on track in some way.
Really enjoyed getting to know you better. And thank you Lori, for sharing Angela with us.
Love Elle
xoxo
@ElleSommer
Dear Elle,
We are birds of a feather. Perhaps we all share this "blogging gene?" I too kept reading about keeping an editorial calendar for my blog but, the more I tried the more depressed over "not being able to do it" I became. I want to enjoy this expereince not become a slave to it - although in a lot of ways I am.
I love the way you put it: "I often find myself writing about something I want to pay more attention to myself, or an experience which gets me back on track in some way." Exactly - me too!
xoxo,
Angela
@AngelaArtemis @ElleSommer I second what Angela said Elle! Which begs the question: who are we really writing for? In a way we're like children; "here's what I want to play - what do you think?" and hoping to have some fun with the people who resonate with that!
@Lori @ElleSommer Lori, good question. I write for my audience but, if I were not writing Powered by Intuition I would be reading a blog like it. I have never wavered in my interest in metaphysics. My enthusiasm for personal financial planning flickers like a candle but, my interest in spirituality does not. So, while I write primarily for my audience I'm also writing for me as well.
Dear Lori,
Thanks for sharing my blogging story here. The last three years since I started Powered by Intuition have been amazing. I can't imagine my life without all of the wonderful friends like you, and so many other fantastic people in it.
xoxo,
Angela
Hi Angela,
I play around with the idea of using an editorial calendar but haven't done so because I never have writer's block. I always have ideas and things that move me to write so it makes it easy to put pen to paper.
@Joshua Wilner/A Writer Writes Hi Joshua, I too have "played around" with starting an editorial calendar but, I can never stick with it. I finally just gave up. The more I write from a place of inspiration the more I enjoy it. I used to write for a few local magazines and the newspaper and always longed to write whatever I wanted. Blogging was the solution - so why force an editorial calendar upon myself when I don't have to?
I feel the same way. If you always have ideas and things that move you to write you don't need an editorial calendar.
@AngelaArtemis @Joshua Wilner/A Writer Writes Oh thank God I'm not the only one who can't stick to an editorial calendar! What a relief ;)
Latest blog post: Living Life as a Creative Adventure
@Lori @AngelaArtemis @Joshua Wilner/A Writer Writes Haha, you're so old school Lori ;)
Latest blog post: Living Life as a Creative Adventure
@Sandi Amorim @AngelaArtemis @Joshua Wilner/A Writer Writes I have one but it's all in pencil. And I have a BIG eraser!
Hi Angela,
I loved reading your story! There are so many things I resonate with in it.
You write to have a creative outlet - to keep your life in balance. This is so essential, I find. When you address the left and right brain, or the heart and the mind, I believe everything goes better. I do this too with my business/my blog.
Pen pals! So true! We get to correspond with people from all over the world without waiting for the mail to arrive! And I can relate to the writing helping your to understand what you think about things. In university a good friend and I used to write poetry and then analyze it to understand ourselves more. It was uncanny how well this worked, like writing a blog post and then looking at it and going "Ah!"
I usually write my posts well in advance so I don't have writer's block, but of late I've been writing 2 posts per week and once I've written them, I push all the others aside to run with them ASAP. It's a new and strange process for me. I begin the week without a clue as to what I'll write next and by Friday I've spent glorious hours refining two new ones which have just come to me. This may be happening because I'm writing more out of my own experience than I used to, as if I took two+ years to catch up with all the experiences of my life and now I'm up to today!
I'm out this morning but will catch up with the conversation when I return. Have a fun day on the porch!
Lori
@Lori
Lori, I'm so glad you enjoyed reading my blogging story. I truly do find blogging "empowering. And, I'm happy to know there were many things you resonated to. I would bet that many bloggers are drawn to do it for the creative outlet it offers.
Yes, remember "pen pals" and those days before computers when we hand-wrote things? I was always a huge journal writer too. I used my journal to discover how I felt about things much in the same way you and your friend used poetry. I cannot remember a time in my life when writing/communication wasn't part of my life. When I was really little I "drew" comic books!
I have written posts in advance but, most of the time I "forget" to use them. I get inspired and write what comes to me and then never use the post I wrote in advance. I think I have about 10 posts like that right now in my Word file. I do think inspiration and writing from our "own experience" as you point out, flows more easily. I find that readers appreciate those posts more too.
I'm enjoying the view from your porch Lori! Thanks for inviting me. Where are my lemonade and cookies? lol
xoxo,
Angela