Recently, a few readers asked me how I organize my iPhone apps. Rather than writing an essay, I decided to record a three-minute screencast to share my system with you. Enjoy!
My Blogging Process (The 2017 Edition)
Recently, readers have inquired about my approach to blogging. Specifically, folks want to know what my writing and editing process looks like for a typical blog post.
Below is what my writing process looks like from start to finish.
Ideas come to me in the shower, when I'm exercising, driving, doing the dishes, etc.
When an idea emerges, I try to write it down in my journal immediately. Otherwise, the idea slips away.
From there, I create a mind-map— a diagram used to visually organize information— and write a rough draft in my journal.
Then, it's time to transfer my journal notes/draft to Evernote.
On average, I revise my rough drafts three to five times (sometimes more, sometimes less). The revision process depends on the piece.
After I have a final draft, I copy and paste the content into a Word document and save it to my desktop.
Then, I upload the Word document to Grammarly.
Grammarly is where I do a final round of edits, and I often end up adding more content to the post.
When I'm done editing the post, I export the Grammarly draft to my Desktop.
Sometimes, Logan, my husband, reviews the final draft for content (especially if the post is sensitive). Most of the time, Logan catches odd turns of phrase or suggests adding additional thoughts or transitions to the post.
If Logan recommends substantial changes to my post, I review the essay in Grammarly again.
I read the final version one more time.
Now it’s time to format the post on the backend of my website and in MailChimp. This can take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how many photos or links I’ve included in the post.
Once I've tested the links in WordPress and MailChimp, I press the publish button.
Then, I share the post on social media.
Finally, I drag and drop the completed essay from my desktop into my final edits folder in Dropbox.
Typically, each blog post takes 8 to 15 hours to complete from start to finish. I usually spend the same amount of time—sometimes more—on my photo roundups. Obviously, I don’t have to edit words. However, traveling to a location, taking photographs, editing images, and then deciding what images to share online takes time.
I decided to share my happy links monthly rather than weekly because finding good reads is time intensive. I’d guess that my last link roundup took 40 hours to pull together (that includes the time to read books and articles, reflection, writing, etc.) Also, compiling a monthly reading list forces me to share the best of the best with readers.
As you can see, there are a lot of steps in my writing and editing process (more than I realized). Blogging is time intensive, and I’ve chosen to keep up the practice because it’s fun and rewarding, and it forces me to work on my writing and photography skills. The only way to get better at both is through practice and accountability.
Thank you for reading my words! ! I’m grateful.
My Evening Routine (The Fall 2017 Edition)
My Tiny Wardrobe (The 2017 Edition)
Since my adventures on the Tiny Wardrobe Tour with my friend Courtney Carver, I’ve received lots of questions about my small wardrobe. Over the last few years, I’ve shared brief updates about my outfits. However, I haven’t posted a formal essay on the blog about my closet since March 2014 because my attire and philosophy about fashion are the same.
As Courtney recently noted:
"I haven’t been sharing my daily looks, partly because they haven’t changed much. All of these pieces from my Fall 2015 collection were in my Fall 2016 collection, and they are in my Winter 2017 collection too. Minimalist fashion challenge Project 333 isn’t an excuse to shop and wear 33 new pieces every 3 months, but an invitation to dress with less to create time and space in your life and figure out what really matters to you."
I'm in a similar position. Dresses, skirts, and leggings are still key features in my tiny wardrobe because I’m not a fan of jeans. However, I’ve turned into a fan of convertible pants. I bought a pair in 2015 for my hiking adventures, and they’ve been a great addition to my closet.
Today, I thought it would be fun to answer commonly asked questions about my wardrobe. With that, let’s dive into the Q & A.
Question: Can you share an updated list of the items in your closet?
Answer: Sure! The list below includes everything that’s in my closet.
Wardrobe staples
2 long black skirts
2 dresses
1 cotton leggings
3 workout pants (which double as leggings)
1 convertible pants
1 waterproof pants for biking or walking in the rain/snow
1 green long-sleeved merino wool shirt
1 black long-sleeved cotton shirt
1 blouse
10 t-shirts
2 vests
1 black jacket
1 bright orange waterproof jacket (thanks, Mom!)
2 swimsuits
Accessories
1 goggles
1 scarf
1 mittens
2 beanies
2 necklaces
3 rings
1 set of earrings
1 day pack
1 luggage bag
1 tote bag
Pajamas
1 fuzzy pink robe
3 pajama pants
Undergarments
It feels weird to share a list of my undergarments with you, so that’s not going to happen. I will say that my socks and underwear fit neatly into a small drawer (kind of like this).
Shoes
2 trainers
1 dress shoes
1 slippers
1 flip-flops
1 muck boots
Question: Do you think people notice that you wear the same outfits frequently?
Answer: In 2005, I paired down my wardrobe significantly. At the time, I was working at a traditional 9-5 job and felt slightly nervous about having a smaller selection of clothes to wear to the office. It turns out I had no reason to be nervous. As long as I dressed in business casual for work, wore a suit to specific meetings and events, and covered up my tattoos, no one noticed my attire. In short, most people don't notice or care what I'm wearing.
Question: How do you manage to stay focused on your shopping goals?
Answer: Other than buying high-quality fair-trade clothing from companies like Patagonia, I don’t have “shopping goals.”
My biggest problem is under buying. For example, last winter I gave my winter boots to Goodwill. They were still in good condition, but they weren’t great for long walks. I told myself I’d buy a new pair for the 2016/2017 winter season, but that didn’t happen.
My procrastination came back to haunt me this month. During the first two weeks of January, a huge winter storm pummeled Northern California, and I didn’t have a pair of waterproof boots. Thankfully, Logan let me borrow his gaiters, and he bought a pair of muck boots for me at a local store.
And last but not least, Logan and I love looking for new additions to our wardrobes at thrift shops. For instance, a few years ago, Logan bought two suits at a local thrift store for $40. Then, Logan spent another $40 to get the suits dry-cleaned and hemmed.
Question: Do you never get tempted by special offers or sales?
Answer: Of course! Whenever I receive a Patagonia catalog in the mail, I want to buy all the things. Thankfully, I don’t buy everything I want, and that’s because I don’t purchase new stuff immediately. Typically, I wait a week or two—sometimes longer—before I purchase new clothing, shoes, etc. As I mentioned, I tend to be an under-buyer and that aggravates my sweet husband.
Question: How do you do your research when you actually need to buy a specific item?
Answer: I’m a major research geek. However, if you’re new to research, try these tips:
Make a list of subjects you’d like to learn about or purchase
Google your topic and write down what comes up
Beware of online filter bubbles
Look at the publication date of books, article, etc.
Before you purchase something from a company, read their mission statement
Ask a librarian for help
Question: Do you ever feel pressured (by adverts, medias, or magazines) to be sexier, trendier, or more glamorous?
Answer: During my teens and twenties, I felt enormous pressure to be thin. Today, I’m happy, healthy, and I’ve learned that buying a new wardrobe, makeup, etc. isn’t going to make me feel happier or healthier. In short, I don't feel the same need to "be sexier, trendier, or more glamorous."
Actions that helped shift my mindset included counseling and a renewed focus on building physical and emotional strength. I also avoid websites with lots of advertisements. I don't read glossy magazines (like Vogue), and I don't watch much television. I prefer to spend my free time reading books, magazines (like Flow), attending CrossFit classes, swimming, and taking photos.
What I’ve Learned from Indie Publishing
A few readers have asked me why I opted to independently publish my photography book, My Morning View. There are two main reasons. First, I wanted to try something different. Second, photography books are difficult to get traditionally published. I decided to forgo the rejection letters and independently publish my new book. Today, I’m going to share what I’ve learned from indie publishing. Please keep in mind, many books have been written about this topic. In this article you will find tips, a brief FAQ, and additional resources.
Let’s get started!
Make the decision to begin. Starting a book can be the hardest step. For example, I didn't plan on creating a book when I began the My Morning View photography series. My intent was to start the day with a creative activity. By the end of 2013, an outline of the book began to form in my mind. The idea emerged organically, and it didn’t feel forced or rushed. I love when that happens!
“Going it alone” is a myth. Whether you independently or traditionally publish a book, there is no such thing as “going it alone.” To create a beautiful book, you need a community that will support you. Your community can help you with editing, cover design, lay-out, marketing, and more.
Hire a team to help you. I'm grateful that I was able to traditionally publish You Can Buy Happiness (and it’s Cheap). My publisher — New World Library — was wonderful! They helped me create a lovely book that I could not have created without their support. My experience with traditional publishing made me appreciate how much work goes into creating a book. Writing a book is the first step, but there is a lot more to the process.
Pursuing the indie route meant I needed help with the book-making process. For example, I knew I could organize the book into a first draft. However, I needed help with editing, cover design, interior layout, font choices, and converting the book into a digital format.
My friend Chris O'Byrne has edited my e-books, e-courses, and other material in the past. Now, he runs JETLAUNCH; a company that helps authors publish their books. They provide editing, design, and marketing services. I trust Chris, and I wanted the JETLAUNCH team to help me edit, design, and publish My Morning View.
Edit your work and ask for help. I learned about the power of editing during my undergraduate and graduate education. I'm thankful that my professors marked up my papers, essays, and other written words with a BIG red pen. Receiving feedback taught me to accept criticism, not to take myself seriously, and to ask for help. For instance, before I sent my manuscript to the JETLAUNCH team, I asked a few people to read my first draft. They caught errors and made awesome content suggestions. Asking for help is very important!
Find a promotion strategy that works for you. Over the last few years, I’ve learned to listen to my instinct and to do what feels right when I promote my books. That might sound woo-woo, but it works for me. When I promote my books, I share information on this website, on social media sites, and via guest posts or interviews. You don’t have to spam people to get your message out into the world.
Publishing books is tricky. I never know if a book will sell or if it will bomb. Covering my editing and design costs is ideal; however, it’s not guaranteed. I don’t let those facts deter me, though. I had fun creating My Morning View, and I hope it will help and inspire readers. If I can do that, the book will be a success.
Parting Words
My experience with traditional and indie publishing has been fantastic. I believe either option is viable for authors. Before you decide to publish a book, do your research, understand your options, and think about how you are going to help readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last week, I asked folks on Twitter and Facebook if they had questions about the indie publishing process. I included a few of those questions below.
What processes do you recommend I pay for (editing, cover art, conversion)? And how much should I expect to pay? At a minimum, pay for a good editor. In addition, make sure you understand the difference between content edits and copyedits. If you want help with content and copyediting, your editing costs will increase.
I can’t tell you how much you should expect to pay. It depends on how much work your book needs. As I mentioned before, I don’t have copyediting skills or a design eye. I needed help with editing, cover design, interior layout, and converting my book to the Kindle. Understanding your strengths and weaknesses as an author is very important.
How do you work out free-for-limited-time deals, and how do you get your work listed as a Daily Deal offer on Amazon? I don't think it's possible to get yourself listed on Amazon’s Daily Deals. Amazon has a specific formula for Daily Deals, and I don’t know what it is. KDP Select is a great resource for free and limited time deals, including their Countdown Deals program.
What about the stigma of indie publishing versus the traditional route? The landscape of publishing is changing, and I don’t see a stigma attached to indie publishing anymore. As a reader, I don’t care if a book is independently or traditionally published. I want to read books that are thoughtful, well edited, and well designed. Authors can easily do that with a traditional publisher, or they can go the indie route. Before publishing your book, educate yourself about the book-making process and your options.
In addition, my friend Courtney made an excellent point about the publishing world. She said, “Just because you are rejected by traditional publishers doesn't mean you have a bad book idea. There are so many reasons for rejection (audience size, market saturation, publisher niche, intern reviewing proposal is having a bad day). In other words, don't let the rejection prevent you from exploring and even executing the idea."
Resources
Want to learn more about this topic? Read How to Publish Your Book by David Fugate. David goes into the pros and cons of traditional and indie publishing models.
Articles to read:
— How to Publish an Indie Book
Also, check out JETLAUNCH’s services!