I’ll be slaying my personal dragons that weekend. – Hive and Nest

I don’t know about you, but my blog isn’t about making money. On one hand I think, “trying to advertise seems so tacky. That feels like such a sell-out.” But on the other hand I think, “why not make money on something I already do? Especially since that’s what all the “big girls” do.” (Plus money in any form is always needed around here; the joys of having six kids and all.)

Thus far I’ve really wanted to make my blog more about my writing and have that be the most important thing, not earning money or finding sponsors (or photography. I have realized that I just don’t have the knack for taking pictures. It’s amazing what you can do with natural light and a decent camera, but it’s just not something I care that much about.) I think my writing has gotten a lot better since I began blogging, but it could definitely improve about a thousand percent. It’s a blog, so the quality will never be perfect (it doesn’t have to be! That’s what I love about blogs.) But I have aspirations of, you know, something bigger. But I’m not sure I’m up to the task. Which is why I am looking so forward to the Segullah Writer’s Retreat.

It’s for writers of all levels.  No need to be intimidated. I’ll let you in on a little secret, though: I am not really a writer and I am kind of embarrassed to go.  There I said it.  I never took anything beyond Freshman English in college and had never written anything more than a grocery list until I somehow the stars aligned and I was invited to do something with Segullah a couple of years ago.  But I’m not one of those people who has aspired to write.  Only, I find that I really am one of those people.  I was just too scared to admit it to myself.  Too scared to have people point and say, “you??? A writer?” and then fall on the floor laughing.

Every time I write I am sticking it to that voice of doubt in my head that says there is no way I could ever do anything decent. I’m a firm believer that trying is what silences those nasty negative voices. I know that as long as I doubt myself, I will doubt myself (profound, no?)   So I will be going to the Writer’s Retreat on June 26 in Salt Lake (including the very fun Studio Night the day before).

Let me just tell you that the women of Segullah are the loveliest, kindest women I have ever met.  They are not the snooty artistes that I picture most writers being like.  So if you feel scared about the idea of going, just shove those niggling voices right out of your mind and sign up, for Pete’s sake!   You can come and sit next to me.  I’ll be easy to find; I’l be the one with a neon sign over her head flashing, “not a real writer”.

Find out more details here

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