Creative pursuits-Writing, blogging or fishing?

[Rodoon, BSN, MSN, RN]

Retirees: I’ve taken up writing fiction in my retirement. My first novel, a cozy placed in a national contest, but didn’t get published. Now, I’m editing a novel about a nurse in WWII. Editing isn’t nearly as fun as writing first draft. I’m debating starting a blog about the ups and downs of picking up writing after a nursing career. I’d like to chat with any other writers. Are any of you blogging about writing or other creative second career endeavors? How is it going? Does blogging drain your creativity? Please share details

[RaineyRN]

Can't blog, or write poetry...takes over my thinking... can't spare the brain cells! Maybe in a few more years!!

[Rodoon, BSN, MSN, RN]

RaineyRN,

I know what you mean. I held off 'till retirement.

I'm afraid blogging will become time comsuming but people tell me I need...a blog platform to get people interested in my writing including agents and readers. I've written down the pro's and con's of blogging and its equal. Maybe I should be asking why people go to personal blogs? Information, for fun, to support someone etc.

Please let me know what you guys think. I'll try to monitor posts but there doesn't seem to be much traffic here.

[RaineyRN]

Honestly the only blogs I ever read are those of friends, when they send a link to me directly. I use my down time w family, reading EBP and research, or playing mindnumbing repetative computer games. :-)

[appleredds]

I have enjoyed writing for years. My mistake was always throwing away a story after I have written it. I am a LPN now for 15 years and I would love to become a professional writer. It is a joy of mine to write. I would love to get published. Any suggestions?

[Rodoon, BSN, MSN, RN]

Applereds,

Well yes, a few suggestions but I'm not published even though I'm on that path. It is my goal.

The best thing is to write every day and realize you get better with every story. This is a commitment and must be done. I give myself a minimal word count and strive to move past that. This is a hard lesson but don't work on the same project for a lifetime. Write it, polish it and send it out. Expect rejection. I wasn't used to it. I passed every certification test I ever took, I breezed through graduate school when it wasn't available on line and so it made my life stressful. I got every job I ever wanted, so rejection was new to me. Plus, no one tells you what you're doing wrong. You have to figure it out or find someone who can help you by joining a critique group.

Never throw your stories away. Sometimes you can recycle a character into a new story etc. Writing to be read widely and hopefull get paid for it takes time. I've kept plugging away and now I see there is craft involved just like there's art in nursing. Sometimes writers jokingly call seeing the craft and using it effectively as sprinkling fairy dust on their pages. It's a cute way of saying you've got to pay your dues. So write everyday and read widely. Learn to take books you enjoyed apart and figure out how the story worked.

I'll stop here unless you have more questions.