Make Some Noise with Andrea Owen

Episode 233: What I've learned from 10 years of blogging


Listen Later

On June 12th, 2008, I published my first blog post. I had no idea I would go on to create the YKAL community I’ve since created, I just knew I loved personal development and wanted to share it with the world, or at least 5 or 6 people who might read my little blog.

A decade later, I’ve switched from “Live Your Ideal Life” to what you know now as “Your Kick-Ass Life”, wrote and published 2 books (the second being translated into 15 languages, wait, what!?), nearly 250 podcast episodes, helped thousands of women in their lives and I’ve learned a lot. Here’s some things I’ve learned just about writing alone...

  1. Writing makes you a better writer. One of the simplest pieces of advice I ever got and absolutely the truest. To be a better swimmer, you swim. To be a better kung fu fighter, you kung fu fight. Writing is the same, it’s getting your butt in the seat (unless you have a standing desk, if so, yay you!) and write. If you’re really committed, try to write every day.
  2. Write like no one is reading. This might be easy if you journal and lock it up in your safe that has 17 lock combinations on it and you’re sure no one will read it, but sometimes we are bloggers, freelance writers, and Facebook status updaters. We know people are reading and that knowing can change the way we write and express ourselves.When we do this, a little or a lot of bullshit can creep in. We start to worry about what people will think, we might skew our opinion to not seem “too much” of something, and things can go sideways, fast.If you want to write with your whole heart, if you want to tap into the innermost parts of yourself that are raw and real and uncensored, you must write like no one is reading.
  3. But also write like people are reading. I know I just gave you a heartfelt sermon on writing like no one is reading, but you have to know your audience once you create a community of readers. This lesson doesn’t apply if you’re writing with no goal in mind except to write (ie you’re not trying to build a business now or even eventually). If you want to grow your writing community, whatever that looks like, you must get to know who your best followers are. Follow your intuition, and listen to your audience at the same time.
  4. You will get criticism, even if it’s just about your grammar. A wise woman once said, “You haven’t made it until you get a hater” and “hater” being anyone from a troll to someone who criticizes your work. There’s thoughtful criticism which is basically just feedback that argues your points, opinions, or work in general, and then there’s people who are just dicks.The thing is, if you keep writing or putting your art out there, you will eventually get criticism. You’re not for everyone, and that’s okay.
  5. Read the rest of this article HERE

    http://yourkickasslife.com/233

     

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Make Some Noise with Andrea OwenBy Andrea Owen

    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7

    4.7

    493 ratings


    More shows like Make Some Noise with Andrea Owen

    View all
    Life Coaching with Christine Hassler by Christine Hassler

    Life Coaching with Christine Hassler

    1,630 Listeners

    The Terri Cole Show by Terri Cole

    The Terri Cole Show

    1,403 Listeners

    The Michelle Chalfant Show — Life from the Adult Chair by Michelle Chalfant

    The Michelle Chalfant Show — Life from the Adult Chair

    1,541 Listeners

    The Cathy Heller Podcast with Cathy Heller: Making Manifestation Make Sense by Cathy Heller

    The Cathy Heller Podcast with Cathy Heller: Making Manifestation Make Sense

    7,711 Listeners

    The Marie Forleo Podcast by Marie Forleo

    The Marie Forleo Podcast

    1,648 Listeners

    UnF*ck Your Brain: Feminist Self-Help for Everyone by Kara Loewentheil

    UnF*ck Your Brain: Feminist Self-Help for Everyone

    5,121 Listeners

    The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast by Kate Anthony, CPCC

    The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast

    567 Listeners

    The Divorce and Beyond® Podcast with Susan Guthrie, Esq. by Susan Guthrie

    The Divorce and Beyond® Podcast with Susan Guthrie, Esq.

    233 Listeners

    Dear Gabby by Gabby Bernstein

    Dear Gabby

    6,084 Listeners

    On Attachment by Stephanie Rigg

    On Attachment

    1,051 Listeners

    The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

    The Mel Robbins Podcast

    20,251 Listeners

    The Sabrina Zohar Show by The Sabrina Zohar Show

    The Sabrina Zohar Show

    5,071 Listeners

    Healing + Human Potential by Alyssa Nobriga

    Healing + Human Potential

    356 Listeners

    Divorce with Sam and Leah by Sam and Leah

    Divorce with Sam and Leah

    61 Listeners

    The Oprah Podcast by Harpo

    The Oprah Podcast

    1,688 Listeners