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Thursday, July 24, 2014

The Great & Powerful Inspiration

That would be me!  I am the great and powerful inspiration for this blog.


I was recently invited to participate in the Writing Process Blog Tour.  I am supposed to answer 3 questions about my writing and then pass the "tour" to 3 fellow bloggers.  However, everyone knows that Ma really writes my blog and I am just  her inspiration so I am going to tell you about HER writing process.


But first, I would like to thank Janet Keefe from Wag 'n Woof Pets for inviting me.  For those of you who don't know, Janet is my co-host for the WOOF Support Blog Hop.  She is a terrierific blogger who used to own a pet sitting business.  No wonder she can handle owning three dogs and two cats!  At Wag 'n Woof Pets, Janet shares her passion for writing and for animals through her fun and informative posts.  You can visit her Writing Process Blog Tour post HERE.


The 3 Questions

What am I working on?  Well, Ma is currently working on blog posts about or inspired by me!  She has some product reviews, some campaign posts through BlogPaws, our next WOOF Support post and another safety post all in various stages of being written (and by that I mostly mean she has an "angle" for each post even if it is only in her head and not yet on paper).  She is also working on some of my poetry - for some she just has ideas and for others we have several lines completed.

Through her new business, Ma is also working on creating content for a friend's new music production and performance website.  She is writing musician biographies, ensemble descriptions, the business description...even the tag line.  She is also waiting to hear back from a local nonprofit who requested her help with grant proposal writing, something she has done for over 15 years.

Why do I write what I do?  Ma writes in my voice because it allows her to look at the world from a different point of view.  Imagine what the world would look like if you stood only 1 foot off the ground!  She feels that in my voice, she gets more freedom to say things, no matter if they are serious or silly.  Ma believes that sometimes, a different point of view is all you need to really appreciate every day things. 

How does my writing process work?  Most of the time, Ma knows the "angle" from which she wants to approach a topic for a post.  If she doesn't have the angle yet, she tries not to worry about it; it will come to her either when we are out for a walk or when she is in the shower.

Before she starts writing anything, we have a photo shoot for the post.  Ma takes a lot of photos even though I have become an excellent model and can get "it" in a few shots.  She then uploads them to the computer and looks all the photos over until they form a storyboard in her mind.  That's when she hears my voice telling her the "story" and she types it all up...in Microsoft Word.

The above is done days before the post actually publishes.  Ma likes to walk away from a post for a day before going back, re-reading it and editing it accordingly.  Only then will it make it onto my blog.


My poetry is a whole other process.  A poem usually starts by something we see, giving us an idea - a word, a phrase or thought - that we jot down on a piece of paper or in the Notes app on Ma's phone.  As more thoughts come, we keep writing them down until we can form them into a poem...sometimes this happens very quickly and other times, it is a slow going process.

The same is true for my limericks with the exception that you, my friends, give me the thoughts and ideas.  And sometimes limericks are harder to write since we must always keep meter and rhyme consistent.  (Oz Poetry Secret: there is a special place online that we use to help us find words that rhyme with each other!  There are times even that site has a hard time finding a rhyme!)

The Next 3 Bloggers in the Tour
I want to thank these three bloggers for accepting my invitation to participate in the Writing Process Blog Tour!  If you haven't already met them, please pop over to their blog to say hello.  They will be posting about their writing process next week!



Dolly the Doxie.  Dolly may be a rescue Dachshund mix but she really rescued Her Lady, Sandra.  Together, they blog about living in Chi-Town (Chicago) and their many adventures together.  Dolly and Sandra are now gearing up for a re-branding of their blog where they will provide information on dog products, trends and the human-animal bond, among other topics.  You can visit Dolly and Sandra HERE.



Mochas, Mysteries and Meows.  Melissa loves to blog about her two passions - books and cats.  Currently, Melissa says her life is dedicated to the happiness and well-being of her beautiful tortoise-shell cat, Truffles.  Together they write a pet-centric literary blog and enjoy some of my favorite genres including mysteries and the paranormal.  If you enjoy the cozy moments of life then you are sure to enjoy the warmth at this blog.  You can visit Melissa and Truffles HERE.


Team Beaglebratz.  The team of Shiloh and Shasta, two Beagles who, along with their mom Kim, blog about their breed, dogs in general and of course, the super fun life of two bratty Beagles.  Team Beaglebratz has currently set a goal to get to 1,000 blog posts by the end of 2014!  They are marathon posting and are even accepting guest posts from other bloggers.  You can visit Shiloh, Shasta and Kim HERE.


35 comments:

  1. That was interesting Oz. Great to read about how you inspire mum to write your blog. You are the master of poetry. Have a tremendous Thursday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  2. WELL DONE OZ... Now we gotta admit to this.... WE would need to go to 87 sites to help us do a pawper limerick... AS YOU WELL KNOW.

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  3. Prior to all that writing you better remind her that you are the star of the blog and she is your assistant
    Snorts,
    Lily & Edward

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  4. So interesting to read about everyone's writing process! Thanks for giving us the scoop, Oz!! Much love, The Scottie Mom.

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  5. Mom was asked to do this writing tour too - but she couldn't think of 3 others to ask who hadn't already done it :) You do a great job transferring your thoughts to your Mom so she can write all about YOU :)

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  6. Hmmm - we Beaglebratz will hafta discuss this writin'process thing with our mom - not shure what she duz butt it seemz tue b a lot of hodge-podge an'WHOOPZ, I need tue due a blog post now - that'z kinda our mom'z process.

    By the way, we saw your comment on our blog - an'if u need an idea - we wood love tue haf one of your limerickz (we'kinda due what mom duz - put thoughtz/werdz in-tue other peepz/critterz headz. Anyway, just a thought.....

    Shiloh-Lord of the Manor'n Diva Shasta

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  7. Thanks for the insight into your writing process and thanks so much for the nomination!

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  8. Oh, we Beaglebratz almost furgotz (pushy little devilz ain't we - that'z y we iz the 'bratz!) ANYWHO'z - IF u did due the limerick thingy THEN u cood pawsonally d-liver it in the form of a guest post - NOT that we iz tryin'n tue tell u how tue due YOUR post or anything (wink :)
    S'n DS

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  9. Thank you for sharing this wif us Oz we enjoyed reading all about yous.
    stella rose

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  10. AnonymousJuly 24, 2014

    and I love the way your mom writes for you from a different point of view! And your limericks are wonderful, it's great to see how they fit to the one you "limericked". I wish your mom will write on and on it's great to read her/your posts and I'm sure you will be always a great muse!

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  11. Oz, are you and your mama going to Atlanta? I'm probably going to be bringing Chewy. I'd love to see the two of you side-by-side.
    www.dogtreatweb.com

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  12. Oz,
    Thank you for sharing this, and thank you for putting so much effort into your blog! It makes it a joy to come and read!
    Pippa :)

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  13. Oz you are great and powerful and friendly and most handsome too!! We loved reading your Mom's writing process.
    My mom says getting into my head and spirit is the best stress reliever in the world...it is my honor to be her inspiration..although I must say the woman embellish she calls it creative genius...she has lived with cats for 26 years so she knows up purrty good.
    Hugs madi your bfff

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  14. PS we love love love your limericks...that is one thing mom has not gotten the hang of yet.

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  15. This was just fabulous!!! Of course my lazy mom was asked to participate in this and declined, but Mom is getting great joy out of reading about everyone else's "process." Hmmm...maybe because my Mom has NO PROCESS that she couldn't participate? BOL!! We love your blog and however you do it, just keep doin' what you are doin'! Barks and licks and love, Dakota and "Mom"

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  16. Thank you to you and your Mom for accepting my invitation, Oz, I really enjoyed learning about her process. I can see where you would be very inspiring! I didn't know that your Mom did other writing for work as well, that is very cool. Also, I think that poetry is very difficult to write, so that is impressive as well. Oh yes, in the shower, that is another good place to do some clear thinking! :)
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  17. Great post you two! Mom and I usually have our posts done ahead of time because we like to let them sit and then go back over them again too. I am also the inspiration and Mom does most of the writing on her mental hard drive before I paw it out in the keyboard!

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  18. Oz, it sounds like your Ma does the same thing as I do with the photos. Photos are so great at telling stories and I plan my post around them. Your Ma definitely has some great inspiration to help her help you write the blog! Keep up the great work guys.

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  19. That was great Oz and you are an inspiration to all of us!

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  20. We are so enjoying hearing about everyone else's process. Thanks for sharing it with us Oz.

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  21. And we just love your blog :)

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  22. Thanks for sharing your process! Love the pics of Oz. :)

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  23. Thanks for the inside scoop Oz!

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  24. OMD!! No wonder you bloggie is so FABulous!!! All thought out and everythings...this confirms it..I REALLY need a new assistant!!! Pronto!!
    Ma just posts crap I do, or funny stuffs that I do to her. Not too much thought goes into that!
    Your bloggie rocks Oz, and nows I know why! Keep on, keepin' on!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  25. How interesting! I don't really have a writing process. I usually write posts in one sitting, and come up with ideas throughout the week. Like something will happen and I'll decide to include it on my blog. Sometimes I have nothing to write about, so I'll do things like Monday Memes where I answer questions and that's the whole post.

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  26. Love hearing about your writing process! You can tell that you really put a lot of thought and effort into your posts. I really enjoy visiting your blog every day.

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  27. Thanks so much for sharing your Mama's writing process!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  28. Loved this post! So great to learn a bit more about your work! thanks for sharing!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  29. Fanks for da insite Oz my pal…I haz show it to I typist…he just drink coffee an ammer away at da keebored…..is like hazzin chimps to stay…opefully we can improve ower blog wiv yore elp

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  30. Oz we truly understand how you inspire your mom! We loved learning how your mom writes such wonderful stories. Love Dolly Pees: Thanks again for the invitation!

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  31. It is great to read about your process. I'm so impressed with your grant writing. Having worked in the school system, I have seen teachers almost pull their hair out trying to get them right! I love the three bloggers that are joining you!

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  32. Woof to you Oz and your mom. We have a similar process, photos first before the actual post. Oh! we are excited to your mom's new writing jobs. Golden Woofs

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  33. That was so awesome, I so enjoyed getting to know your and your moms writing process and what your mom is up to in real life. Love your blog!

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  34. You sound so organized. Normally I am lucky if a dash a post out the morning I post it...lol. No wonder your blog is so wonderful!

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving a pawprint. I enjoy reading each and every one!
Cairn cuddles,
Oz the Terrier