What to Write About

by Adesinmi Olatoyese

For about three months now, I've been wallowing in the confusion of what to write about.

I just couldn't come up with anything.

I have decided to venture into freelance writing, yet I haven't written much.

The confusion causative all along has been the advice of all the (freelance) writers I follow. They advise me (or us) to have a niche – a specific subject. They justified their stance by stating that it would make me an authority in that niche – given to the fact that since it's the subject I've chosen, I'd put more effort into learning about it.

That couldn't be any truer.
I concur.

The determining factor, however, should be passion. That I should choose a subject I'm passionate about. The reason for this is because passion would keep me interested in the subject. As it is something I'm passionate about, learning, and then writing about it would be much fun.

Another reason is that the zeal to do freelance writing won't peter out (quickly, if at all).

I couldn't agree with them more!

Now, that brings about a big Q. A very, very big one at that!

What am I passionate about?

I don't know.

Sincerely, I don't.

[Thanks for that adjective, buddy. But next time, be nice!]

In my quest for discovering what my passion is, I started reading many pieces on the subject, and the takeaway is:

If I'm clueless about what my passion is, I should look towards:

• What I love doing

• What I studied (or currently studying) in school

• Activities that light up my mood

• And anything that has to do with "me," "my," "I" and "myself." 

And my answers? They are:

• I love to sleep…and eat

• I am studying Engineering (Electronic and Electrical precisely)

• Thinking…

• Searching…

Should I write about sleeping…and eating?

What of about engineering?

Definitely not!

I've chosen a variety of topics in the health niche, but it doesn't work.
For the most part of it, I lost interest.

But I'll stick with it.

Like I stated earlier, I'm aware of the fact that if you don't like (or love) what you do, the zeal burns out quickly, easily.

Hence, the need for one to do what one loves.

But in my own case, my wit has disappointed me (to discover what I like and that is reasonable to write about), so the way forward is to love what I do.

Takeaway:

First up, make yourself a drum cup of tea and enjoy

When you do what you love, especially when you make money from it, it will feel less like work; rather it'll feel much like fun.

When you do what you love:

• You get the motivation to work, easily

• Work wouldn't feel like work

• You dedicate everything that is required to learn or know more about it – subconsciously, without putting much effort!

But what then happens if you, for whatever reason, don't get to do what you love?

Hate it?

Nag every time?

Nope!

Rather than do any of those, try to build up love for it!

So the bottom line is: If you are not doing what you love, love what you do!

What do you think?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

Cheers!

Read More

Hello, World, Listen to Me

by Adesinmi Olatoyese




It's been quite some time that I created this blog - thanks to Blogger (Google).

I named it Prompt Pieces because every piece on the blog will be prompted by...well, anything.

Although I'd have named it Just My Thoughts, Just Rambling, My Rants etc, but they've all been taken.

I was upset, seethed not only because they've been registered, but because, virtually, none of them had even a single post.

"Why register a name you are not ready to use?", I said as I cursed.

After several hours of scrounging up my brain in search of a befitting and reasonable title, I came up with what I have now. And I love it.

After weeks of creating it, I had no post, too. I see myself committing the same mess I complained about.

Then I realised that it's happening mainly because blogger is free.
And let's face it, if it were that we paid for domain name and hosting, if not for anything else, we'd want to "enjoy" the value for our money.

Thus, I've made it a duty on myself to post as much as I could, regardless of if they make sense or not. But I hope I come up with posts that are appealing.

My Resolve

Well, the primary reason I wanted a blog is to post my write-ups, with a view to getting it before many eyes.

I've always wanted to be a writer.
I know I want to write, even without any reasonable conviction as to why I want to. However, recently, I learnt that I can make money writing; writing for people who need contents for their prints, blogs, website, ads etc.

And that's a great motivator, you know.
What could be more motivating than money? Nothing!
Money does everything. Money rules!

That type of writing is called freelance writing and the people doing it are called freelance writers.
Even that is beautiful; if people ask what I do, replying "I'm a freelance writer" is just awesome.

Towards achieving that, I've been following every writer that comes across as successful, such as Bamidele Onibalusi of Writers In Charge, Abdullahi Muhammed (NWC) of OxygenMAT, Carol Tice of Make A Living Writing, Jeff Goins of Goins Writer, James Johnson of One Day Guides, Jacob McMillen of Jacob McMillen, Jorden Roper of Writing Revolt and a host of others, whose names, at the moment, I couldn't remember.

In order to become a better writer and as successful, their advice were the same. Even when they use different words and offer it at different times, it has always been the same. It is to "write everyday."

Even, people who are not into freelancing but write for whatever reason they do counselled the same.

"They are right," I thought to myself, "after all, practice makes perfect."

I was motivated. I want to write about anything and everything...everyday.

My Plans

To make things easier and as well to set towards a direction, I've mapped out a plan and it goes thus:

I will learn new vocab words and idioms everyday, and then search Google for it's contextual usage. As a non-native, this'd equip me with the right words to express myself appropriately, using fewer words and without ambiguity.

I will write everyday (although I may not post everyday). I think writing everyday will instill some discipline in me; besides improving my writing, it will come helpful when I start getting many projects and also to beat deadlines (I have heard bout that, mehn!).

I will visit freelance job boards like Problogger's to have a hands-on on some gigs and then write on them. Although they may not be suitable for this blog, the aim is to get topics to write on.

As for now, that's all I have in place.
As time goes on, I'll update with new plans.

So help me God....ameeeeeeen.

Read More