How I Write: A Day in the Life Sunday

A colleague recently asked about my writing process. At first I thought she was getting in a little bit of a dig since my writing has been less than prolific lately, but she wasn't. She really wanted to know how I wrote.

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So, here it goes for her, for you . . . . and mostly as a kick starter for me.  

Sit down

I usually do this in a chair or on the couch but a quiet spot in the grass or the kid's bean bag chair have worked too. Where I sit is not as important as the fact that I've stopped moving, working, wandering or pacing and am actually still. First thing in the morning when the world - and family - is asleep is prime time for me.

Prepare to Write

If I am capturing ideas, I open my Moleskine and grab a pen, pencil or a colored Sharpie. I've had multiple Moleskines active at once: personal stories in one, professional posts and articles in another and presentation outlines in a third. If I am preparing a post or an article with those ideas, I get my fingers on a PC keyboard in the ready position.

Start writing

Hands readied, I start writing. I capture phrases, comments, vents, rants, thoughts, ideas, and snippets of wisdom. I capture what ever comes to mind as quickly as I can and hope that, if I am hand writing, I can read it in when it's done.The still point of writing for me is capturing free-flowing unedited thoughts while observing how easily they connect if I stay out of their way.

Sit down, prepare to write and start writing: that's really all there is to it. 

Except for this.  

Trust yourself and the process. The first few pages of any writing is an unconnected, unrelated bunch of messy ideas and if you stick with it and don't judge, something intelligible will evolve. It may be very different than what you thought you were sitting down to write about and that's ok because, it's organic, it's yours and it's better.

Now, what did I do with my Moleskine?

 

 

Women of HR: Turning Over The Reins

What started out as an idea over pomegranate martinis, laughter, and great conversation turned into a multi-contributor blog with over 400 articles published, thousands of page views per month, 60 past and current writers and tons of guest contributors.

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Meet Women of HR.​

I love working with smart women. It became a Sunday morning routine: coffee, Baileys and Women of HR-ing. I enjoyed working with new writers to bring their ideas to the page and getting a sneak peak into the minds of some of the best writers in the HR space today. It was an honor.

Now, after three years as editor, I am turning over the reins to Jennifer Payne who will bring her voice to the community we're building.​

If you are a women in HR or someone working in and around the HR space and have something to say about things like the workplace, business, social media, HR professionals ​or career, send your ideas to Jennifer at womenofhr@gmail.com You do not need a blog or a portfolio so toss those excuses aside. Just write.

Jennifer will be blogging from the SHRM 2013 Annual Conference. Stop by and say hi if you see her. If you are planning to go but have not registered yet, register by May 17 for your last chance to save.

What will I ever do with my Sunday mornings now?​