Dana Sitar's Blog, page 22

I’m on Pinterest!

I decided to dive in and give it a shot. I joined Pinterest today and added some shots from our travels, some inspirational graphics, some boards… and stuff. I’ll get it all figured out.

from my “Inspiration” pin board

As I do, you can check me out at http://pinterest.com/danasitar

Are you on Pinterest? Link to your profile in the comments, so I can check you out and follow!

Have a great weekend, (and happy pinning?)

If you’re new to DIY Writing, here’s a great place to get started. You can also s...

Create a Career in Writing That’s Just Right for You

In May 2011, I left my job and home in Madison, Wisconsin to move to San Francisco to be a full-time writer. I didn’t know what that meant, and I had no idea how to make it happen. Nonetheless, I have been making my living writing for a year and a half now, without falling back on a day job.

For about a year now, I’ve been trying to come up with the right response to the readers, friends and colleagues who say to me, “I’d like to do what you’re doing, but…”

I needed a way to say to them, “So do...

Thank You!

I want to give thanks.

I don’t want to write a list of all of the sweet and odd things I’m grateful for this year like everyone does, because I know you don’t care that much. But I do want to be sure to name the one thing I know you will all care about: YOU.

I am so thankful for all my blog readers, email subscribers, Twitter followers, those who read my books, everyone in the blogosphere, and every fellow artist who makes this dream a reality for me every day.

I can write without readers; a lot...

This Thanksgiving, Don’t Forget to Indulge Yourself

I was at the movie theater last week, thinking as I always do about how absurdly large the popcorn, candy, and sodas are. They’re big enough to be embarrassing to carry around, turning movie-goers into caricatures of American excess.

Why does it have to be SO BIG?

This time I realized the answer:Because we LOVE that it’s so big.

A gigantic bucket of popcorn, a two-hand-worthy glass of soda, and a special theater-sized box of Sour Patch Kids is part of why we love going out to the movies. They go...

Writing changed — perhaps even saved — my life

This is a guest post by Jody Lamb, author of the middle-grade novelEaster Ann Peters’ Operation Cool.Jody enjoys writing stories for people young in age and at heart.She is a passionate advocate for kids with alcoholic loved ones, and she hopes her books generate greater discussion and awareness about coping with the effects of loves ones’ alcoholism. I discovered Jody through this inspiring guest post, and I instantly fell in love with her adorably sweet blog, which brightens my day and boos...

What it Really Means to Be a DIY Writer

You want to be a Writer.

But do you know how many ways there are to do that?

Over a lifetime of dabbling that has turned me from an avid reader of fiction to a prolific creative writer to a scholar of Non-profit Leadership to a blogger to a freelance journalist… and more… I always thought that I just had to keep trying new things to figure out which one was Just Right for me. When I found myself at a giant intersection of options, I realized that they’re all right. Or, maybe none are right — th...

Surviving a Job Search without a College Degree

Can You Have Your Dream Job Without a College Degree?- Read my most recent post at Brazen Life to learn how I’m doing just that!

I am officially a College Drop Out — cue the quiet disapproval from the crowd. But guess what? I’m working my dream job and following all of the dreams I never thought were possible when I signed up for my first courses. This isn’t the best path for everyone, but I know there are others out there like me. If the degree track is just not cutting it for you, youdohave...

To All of the Dreamers…

To every comedian, musician, traveler, writer, artist, entrepreneur, anddreamer

In a van, car, or bus alone on a lonely highway

Or sitting uncomfortable in a tiny seat on a plane or a train in the middle of the country

Or toiling away late nights at your desk

Through every fourteen-hour day and every eight-hour drive

Through every awkward interview and disappointing email

Through every meal of convenience store egg salad, Fritos, and burnt coffee

For every minute you’ve missed your mother, father, s...

The Significance of the Smallest Journey

This is a guest post from Ren M. Brock. When Ren tweetedthat she was open to guest posts if anyone would give her an assignment, I was eager to have her on DIY Writing, because I love anyone who opens herself up to a challenge. In response to this post at her blog,Her Silent Musings, I asked Ren to reflect on the smallest journey she’s taken and its significance in her life. Here’s her reply:

When the Freshman Writer Traveled to a Bench

by Ren M. Brock

The sun began to turn its head from us in t...

Show & Tell #2 — A Kick in the Butt for Job Seekers

A humble brag and a useful resource

Add yours in the comments! SHOW off something awesome of yours (a blog post, a published article, a newly-released book, a course, etc.), and TELL me about something cool from someone else.

Here’s mine:

Show

I added a new Resources for Writers page to DIY Writing to share some blogs, newsletters, e-courses, books, and other tools to help you all on your journey. At that page, you can also download my free e-book,Brainstorming Workbook, to get 12 weeks of writin...