learning – Penny Wilson Writes

For the Love of Books

Posted on February 9, 2023 by Penny Wilson Writes

I love books. I love the look of them, the feel of them, I love their smell. I love the excitement I feel when I crack open the first page and the adventures that await me within those pages. I love the shiny, glossy book jacket and reading those tantalizing, teasing words on the jacket.

I learned to read and developed a love of reading at a Very young age. I could read long before I started school Whenever the family would take a trip I was always reading the billboards or other signs aloud to everyone on the car. Loudly of course! 🙂

The first time I met my grandparents, on my mother’s side, I drug my Grandpa over to the couch and sat him down and read to him. I was very proud of the fact that I could read. I think I was about 3 years old.

My mother raised 4 of us kids mostly by herself. She didn’t have an education to speak of, so money was tight, always. But when I opened a book, I was transported to another place and time. It was a fantastic way for me to entertain myself.

I would walk to the library in the summertime and bring back an armload of books every few days. During the summer, I averaged reading about a book a day.

No matter what you read, you learn something. I kept a dictionary handy when I was reading. If I came across a word that I could not figure out the meaning by the context of the sentence or paragraph, I would look it up.

I still love to read, but don’t take the time to do it as much anymore.

I think my life has been much more fruitful and accomplished because of my love of reading and my learning along the way.

As a kid, I used to read everything from Shakespeare to Poe to Sci-Fi to love stories. I love biographies. I love learning about people like Abe Lincoln, or my favorite artists.

My 2 older brothers always had comic books in the house, which I read. But those comics would spark my interest in people like Sherlock Holmes or Isaac Asimov. So my taste in books has varied widely.

I have some old books that I have packed around with me for years that I just cannot part with. One is a favorite from the 1970’s, which is beautifully illustrated about the life of Gnomes. Another is a book, also from the 70’s called “Shut Up and Eat Your Shoe Shoes!” It’s a hilarious true story about a couple that homesteads in Alaska. I also have some rare, old Tarzan books that I may pass down to my eldest grandson some day.

These books evoke wonderful memories of a simpler time for me.

I still have a stack of books on my night stand that are gathering dust. Maybe it’s time to crack open one of them and make a new friend….

Copyright (C) Penny Wilson

Poetry, Writing

Hosting a Writing Challenge-What I Learned

Posted on February 2, 2023February 2, 2023 by Penny Wilson Writes

First of all, THANK YOU, to everyone that joined me in this challenge! Please be sure to check out these lovely blogs!

Dawn Benedict

KS Woods

The Reluctant Poet

Poetisatinta

Thank You to everyone that had the patience to READ my posts in January. Not all of them were pretty.

When I first came up with the idea of hosting this Writing Challenge, I didn’t really think about how involved it would be. I simply thought it would be fun and it would be a good way for me to be more disciplined and to write more

I did have fun and I’ve gained a lot of insight and have a lot more respect for those that do this on a regular basis.

Maybe I should have started out with just hosting a weekly challenge instead of one that goes for an entire month! But no, I had to go big or go home! 🙂

The results of this challenge, for me, produced 22 regular posts (the Number I was shooting for) and 12 promotional/roundups for a total of 34 posts.

Since I put my foot in my mouth and not only came up with this challenge, but set my number at 22 posts, I did feel a sense of pressure to get those posts done. But, it turns out that I work well under pressure. 🙂 There are a few posts that I did in January, on the spur of the moment, that came out, to me, surprisingly well!

The Penalty I wrote in just a few minutes and didn’t like it when I was done with it, but posted it anyway. Surprisingly, it turned out to be one of my better poems for the month.

Welcome The Light I did not like at all. The idea that I had in my head did not translate to the page. It received a good response to readers, according to the views and comments received.

The Mirror While not liking it when I wrote this, I did end up really liking this piece. This was just a stream of consciousness piece. I just started writing and this is what came! Maybe I need to do more of this type of writing!

“Holding my feet to the fire”, so to speak, has paid off for me. But I think that from now on, I will leave hosting a writing challenge to others. There are many people on WordPress that do this very, very well and the next time I need inspiration, I will seek out one of these awesome people’s blogs.

Uncategorized, Writing

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!!