Welcome to Week 3 of my Blogging Clarity Challenge!
Each Friday I am addressing one of these 7 questions, in an attempt to fine tune the direction of this here blog:
- What interests do I have?
- What experiences (good or bad) have I had?
- What expertise and skills do I have?
- What are my passions?
- What gives me energy?
- What do I talk about with my friends?
- If I could write about anything, what would I write?
Blogging Clarity Challenge 3: My Expertise & Skills
Wow, this is a hard one to address. Ever heard the saying “jack of all trades – master of none”?! I would find it a lot easier to list the things I’m useless at, to be honest!
The one ability that I am confident in, is writing.
The intricacies of spelling, grammar, and punctuation, come naturally to me. I’ve always enjoyed expressing myself on paper (or computer screen) and never thought anything of it. Until one day I realised, that it is NOT something that everybody can do.
Over the years I’ve done my best to practise, polish and perfect my craft. I’ve written mostly non-fiction for a variety of media, in a wide range of styles: magazine feature articles, interviews, fillers, quizzes, letters to the editor, recipes, press releases, blog posts, and I’ve published three books.
Closely related to writing – is editing. This is something else that I have plenty of “hands on” experience in – I edited Footprints magazine for 15 years after all! Today I am a full member of the Society of Editors (Qld) Inc, and have just helped to edit a manuscript which will be published later this year!
After much head scratching, I’ve come up with a few other items for my list of skills and expertise.
- I’m good at public speaking and have even travelled to speak at ladies meetings, as well as preaching in my own church.
- I’ve been happily married for nearly 25 years, so I guess I have some sort of relationship skills – or maybe I just picked a great husband?!
- I can build WordPress websites, and know more than most about SEO.
- I’m great at finding a bargain, especially when it comes to clothes shopping – and also op shopping- and seem to have passed on my skills to Miss 17.
- Hubster says I’m very skilled at spending money!
- I am really good at trivia – you’d want me on your team in a Trivia Comp – just don’t ask me anything to do with sport!
- I’m also good at planning things and organising events – weddings, meetings, book launches, etc.
Were you surprised by any of my nominated skills or expertise? Do we have any in common? Are you doing the Blogging Clarity Challenge?!
I’m not surprised you’re an editor Janet. In the eighteen months I’ve been reading your blog I’ve never spotted even one blooper! You were clearly born to write 🙂
Wow! Have you been with me that long Pinky? Time flies when you’re having fun 🙂
What a great list of skills – I am off to a trivia night tonight – so maybe I could use some of your skills?
How have I missed these challenged posts? I need to go back and read the previous weeks. I’ve known most of what you’ve shared above because I’ve read about it on your blog through different posts. The only thing I didn’t know is that you have preached!!
It’s probably because I haven’t had much of a chance to join linkups, visit or comment on other people’s blogs lately!
I’m with Bec! How have I missed these! What a great series Janet!
I’m not joining linkies as often lately, and have been away so haven’t kept up as much with social media, so that’s probably why 😉
What an interesting series… the thing that really caught my attention was the fact that you actually founded your own magazine! That is pretty awesome.
It was such a fantastic experience, I have to say I loved every minute of it. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing at first, but really felt it was a God-led journey!
Am enjoying seeing all the reasons behind why people write. And I always admire those who take care with their spelling – its one of my pet hates to see bad spelling in public!!!
Me too Annie – so many signs make my skin crawl, when they have incorrect spelling etc on them!
Love this blog challenge. I am thinking it may be worthwhile undertaking. Love that you are(and I didn’t know this), a full member of the Society of Editors Inc.
How I’d love to be on a trivia team with you!
Hi Alicia, they are easy posts to write because who doesn’t love writing about themselves 😉
Wow, Janet! 15 years of editing a magazine! You’d definitely have a wealth of experience. The Blogging Clarity Challenge sounds like a great idea – hadn’t heard of it at all!