learning – Penny Wilson Writes

10 Tips For a Better Blogging Experience-Revised

Posted on September 16, 2022September 16, 2022 by Penny Wilson Writes

I’ve been blogging off and on for about 8 years. During that time, I did not take advantage of the amazing community that WordPress has become to me until the last few years. Don’t make the same mistake. I would like to share some of what I’ve learned with you. If you would like to expand your readership or enhance your WordPress experience, these points might be helpful. I do not claim to be any kind of expert. I just want to share my experience and possibly spare you some of the mistakes I’ve made.

SHARE–The biggest lesson I’ve learned here is to share your knowledge. It will come back to you 10-fold. The bloggers on WordPress are incredibly generous with their knowledge. You should be just as generous.
GIVE CREDIT–Be sure to give credit where credit is due. If you are copying an idea or using a photo, give credit to that person. They deserve it for their hard work!
CONNECT–Step out and connect with other bloggers. As you develop relationships with these people, you will learn from them. Explore!WordPress has a worldwide selection of topics.
ASK QUESTIONS–If you have questions about blogging or writing, ASK! If your recipe for bread dough is falling flat and you want help, ASK! Your fellow bloggers are more than willing to help!
DO THE WORK–Your blog will flourish, depending on the amount of work you are willing to put into it. This is a mistake I made for a long time. Not only do you need to write and post here, but get around to other blogs. Read, comment, follow!
SPREAD THE JOY–If you see a post that makes you laugh, or expands your knowledge, tell that person. Leave a comment! Reblog! It’s important!
USE WORDPRESS–Wordpress has a ton of tutorials. There are also awesome WordPress blogs that will give you ongoing information if you follow them. Take advantage of this free information. WordPress wants to help you!
BE ACTIVE–Be sure to respond to comments. Visit other’s blogs. Read, follow and comment.
BE THANKFUL–Be gracious. Thank those that help you. Return the favor. Spread the love!
BE ACTIVE–This was probably the biggest mistake I made. I do not post on a set-in-stone routine. I try to post a few times a week. If you do not post often enough, people will lose interest.

*I’d like to add a couple more suggestions for a Better Blogging Experience.

1. Be polite. If you don’t agree with something, that’s no reason to be rude. Move along to something that better fits your tastes.

2. Have Fun! Once you spend a little time here, you will begin to really enjoy the community and the connections that you make.

Have fun with this experience!

Poetry

Inner Interrogations

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Penny Wilson Writes


My interrogator 
was ruthless 
casting doubt 
on answers 
lies 
I had told 
myself 

I denied 
denied what I saw 
right 
in 
front 
of 
me

The rituals 
repeated 
my history 
looking 
me square in the face

Wringing 
the facts from me 
one 
at a time

Finally 
spent 
and weak 
from 
validity

I stood 
tall and erect 
to face tomorrow 

leaving 
the past 
behind 
me

Copyright (C) 2020 Penny Wilson

Life

#WeeklySmile-Self Publishing

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Penny Wilson Writes

This past week has been a blur. I’ve decided to publish a book of poetry! Along that line, I sent out a request for Beta Readers. That effort didn’t pan out as well as expected, but I did receive some good feedback that I can use.

This effort is a real learning experience. I have NO idea what I’m doing. But that’s never stopped me before!! 🙂 heehee!!

I’m going the route of self-publishing through Amazon. So I’ve been researching as much as I can. I’ve gone through my stack of poetry again and again, eliminating some pieces and adding others.

I am now at the point in the project where I’m proofing and formatting each piece. It’s tedious. After you look at your own work for so long, you go blind. What I mean by that is that the piece loses its depth. You have to really concentrate and stay focused.

I’m excited about this project and am happy about the progress I’ve made. I’m especially looking forward to the long weekend so that I can concentrate on it.

I’ve decided on a title for the book, but don’t have the artwork for the cover yet.

Once I am further along in this process, I may post another request for Beta Readers, with a more finished possibility of the book. If you’re interested in being one of those Beta Readers, use my contact page and send me an email. I’ll be in touch!

All in all, I’m a very happy girl these days. I’m still loving my new digs, although I am having some plumbing issues. But that’s for a different post.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Thank you for joining me on this journey! Penny ❤

*This is in response to Trent’s “#WeeklySmile” prompt. If you would like to join in on the fun you can find out all about it HERE.

Life

I Didn’t Know I’d Live This Long #2

Posted on April 23, 2018April 23, 2018 by Penny Wilson Writes

*This was originally inspired by The Militant’s Negro’s post which you can find HERE. You can view my first post on words of wisdom HERE.

If you’ve lived on this planet for any length of time and paid attention, then hopefully you’ve learned a thing or two. Below are some things that I’ve learned along the way and some of my points of view.

Continuing from my previous post:

#16. Internet Dating has ruined the world of dating. You are now a commodity. (a future post on this to come)

Continue reading “I Didn’t Know I’d Live This Long #2” →

Uncategorized, Writing

A Writer’s Conference Question

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Penny Wilson Writes

I know I’m a little ahead of myself here. But I’m excited and as a typical introvert I will pick this thing to death before it ever gets here.

I’m looking at attending a Writer’s Conference in my area in June. This will be my first one. All of the information on classes, speakers and agents that will be attending is still coming in and not complete.

I know that going to it will be incredibly inspiring and I’ll come back pumped with enthusiasm and ready to write the next Great Nationwide Bestseller. I’m am really excited about the classes and being able to pick the brains of those around me.

As part of the package with attending this conference, I will get a 10 minute pitch with a Literary Agent or publicist. My WIP is not finished. I doubt seriously that it will be finished in time for the conference.

Here’s my dilemma: I do NOT want to waste this precious opportunity to speak to an agent! Since my WIP is not complete, do any of you have suggestions for how to handle this opportunity? Should I pitch my unfinished novel anyway?

This is will most likely not be the only post that I will do on this conference. For those of you that have experience in this area, any tips you can give me on this will be appreciated!

Uncategorized, Writing

10 Biggest Mistakes I Made the First Year Blogging

Posted on November 26, 2017November 27, 2017 by Penny Wilson Writes

Please welcome my new WordPress friend from gilesmeetsworld who has some terrific advice for all of us!

There are some people that take to blogging and smash it out of the park straight away, getting lots of followers and views in a very short time… But like most of us, I wasn’t one of those people. When I started out writing on my blog, I actually began to lose traffic as time […]

via The 10 Biggest Mistakes I Made in my First Year Blogging — gilesmeetsworld

Uncategorized, Writing

10 Tips For a Better Blogging Experience

Posted on September 22, 2017September 22, 2017 by Penny Wilson Writes

I’ve been blogging off and on for about 5 years. During that time, I did not take advantage of the amazing community that WordPress has become to me until this past year. Don’t make the same mistake. I would like to share some of what I’ve learned with you. If you would like to expand your readership or enhance your WordPress experience, these points might be helpful. I do not claim to be any kind of expert. I just want to share my experience and possibly spare you some of the mistakes I’ve made.

SHARE–The biggest lesson I’ve learned here is to share your knowledge. It will come back to you 10-fold. The bloggers on WordPress are incredibly generous with their knowledge. You should be just as generous.
GIVE CREDIT–Be sure to give credit where credit is due. If you are copying an idea or using a photo, give credit to that person. They deserve it for their hard work!
CONNECT–Step out and connect with other bloggers. As you develop relationships with these people, you will learn from them.
ASK QUESTIONS–If you have questions about blogging or writing, ASK! If your recipe for bread dough is falling flat and you want help, ASK! Your fellow bloggers are more than willing to help!
DO THE WORK–Your blog will flourish, depending on the amount of work you are willing to put into it. This is a mistake I made for a long time. Not only do you need to write and post here, but get around to other blogs. Read, comment, follow!
SPREAD THE JOY–If you see a post that makes you laugh, or expands your knowledge, tell that person. Leave a comment! Reblog! It’s important!
USE WORDPRESS–Wordpress has a ton of tutorials. There are also awesome WordPress blogs that will give you ongoing information if you follow them. Take advantage of this free information. WordPress wants to help you!
BE ACTIVE–Be sure to respond to comments. Visit other’s blogs. Read, follow and comment.
BE THANKFUL–Be gracious. Thank those that help you. Return the favor. Spread the love!
BE ACTIVE–This was probably the biggest mistake I made. I do not post on a set-in-stone routine. I try to post a few times a week. If you do not post often enough, people will lose interest.

If you are not following the people on the list below, you should be. Please check out their blogs and Share the Love. In No Particular Order, this is a PARTIAL list of bloggers that have been incredibly helpful, supportive and encouraging during my journey on WordPress. (I say this is a partial list because I’m sure I will forget someone and for that oversight, I am truly sorry!)

Trent’s World (the blog)

Harsh Reality

Poesy plus Polemics

Booknvolume

Robbie’s Inspiration

Minnesota Prairie Roots

Everyone Else Has the Best Titles

Jessica Bakkers

THANK YOU to each of you and those that I missed!!

Life, Uncategorized, Writing

Writing in May 2017

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Penny Wilson Writes

I set out to write a post every day this month and so far I’ve been able to do that. I don’t know if the “exercise” has strengthened my writing muscles, but I’ve had a good time doing it anyway.

Since I’ve been spending more time on WordPress, I’ve been poking around and looking at different tutorials & things. I’ve submitted some writing to other bloggers and I added a Contact Page to my blog. Just in case you wanna chat. 🙂

So I guess my exercising has done me some good after all.

I’ve been looking at different Themes and Headers. So you May see more changes to my blog coming up. Don’t hold me to that. I like what I’ve got and the last time I made a major change, it was like turning your back on a friend! So we will see…

I thank each and every one of you that spend a little of your time here. The WordPress community is filled with a lot of wonderful people and I’m so glad you’re here! — Penny Lane

Uncategorized, Writing

On Writing-NaNo Challenge

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Penny Wilson Writes

Ok, it’s December 1st. Wow….

Well, the NaNoWriMo Challenge is over. I didn’t make the 50,000 word goal, but I did accomplish a lot. I learned a lot during the process about myself and writing in general. So I’m glad I took on the challenge. I’ve got the hero of my story written into a corner and I’m not sure how to get her out! 🙂 But I’ll figure it out!

Thank you all for your support along the way!