Social media learning: for business AND pleasure

Last week, Kevin Jones of Engaged Learning invited me to participate in his Working/Learning Carnival. This is where a bunch of people write blog posts with a theme and the host of the Carnival, that would be Mr. Jones, gathers up the post links and lists them all in a post on the host's blog.

I met Kevin last year at an eLearning convention in San Jose. It was on this trip that I took those awesomesauce* photos of the Leonardo exhibit at the Tech. Remember? Go read My First (Dead Man) Crush for the whole, geeky story. I was at this convention courtesy of what most people would consider my "real" job. I have a full time job with benefits and a 401(k) that pays me to produce multimedia education elements and concern myself with maintaining the company's online reputation. I know I'm lucky to have this job, and I work very hard planning and producing, 40 hours a week.

Kevin's presentation at the convention was about overcoming the objections to using social media in learning environments. It impressed me. More important than impressing me was that Kevin is from Portland, Oregon. That day he pretty much guaranteed himself a spot in my Twitter stream. In case you aren't aware of the inner-workings of the mind of mediaChick (which is an experience in and of itself and not a recommended activity within one hour of eating) being from Portland is always going to get you my Gold Star of Awesomeness (GSA). Especially when mediaChick is far from home in a land of strangers and weirdly shaped trees with pointy bark and gynormous** green fans shooting out of the top of them.

Editorial note: Please don't move here solely for the purpose of getting a GSA unless you already have a job lined up. You'll be inflating our unemployment numbers and that just ain't Gold Star of Awesome.

I spend a fair amount of time keeping up with the constant influx of new technologies, theories and trends that affect my job. This means I get to spend time learning for work and go to conventions in places with strange foliage, and this is a beautiful thing. I love to learn! If information was a tangible thing, I would figure out a way to wear it, eat it and breath it. At the same time. Learning for work is a perk for me, and provides me with another bonus: the opportunity to learn things that also help me as a social media consultant.

Yes, in addition to writing and producing eLearning media, I am a social media consultant in my (I have no) spare time. It has become an eye-roller lately, this moniker "social media consultant." It joins "expert" and "guru" as labels that once meant a lot, if applied legitimately, but with overuse has become diluted. Look at what's happened to the word "innovative." So much is "innovative" now. This is the age of mashups, for a reason. You dig? And while some wonderful things are admittedly Super-Cool (read: mp3 players, GPS, the Googles) they're only Super-Cool, not "innovative." Innovative is the electric switch, the automobile and the silicon wafer. But does that discredit the Super-Coolness of the mp3 player technology? Nope.

I'm fine with being merely Super-Cool as a social media consultant, and not a guru or expert. I don't consult to be known as one. I'm happy enough reveling in the real power behind consulting and teaching the what and the how of using social media: all the learning that it requires. That spells A-W-S-O-M-E-S-A-U-C-E, yo. With a capital A.

Being a consultant is about sharing information, listening and advising. My job is to teach people what social media is and why they might care to know more about it. And if they want me to, I give them a plan on how to use social media tools to their benefit. Yes, I also execute brand strategy and build reputation dashboard monitors and all that other buzzword stuff...but the more I consult and listen and share my social media knowledge, the more I realize that my expertise (and all the real fun) is in the counseling.

I enjoy figuring out where a person or business is in their social media life, where they want to be, and helping them figure out how to get there. And in the process of learning and researching things that might help this person or that business, I am provided the bonus opportunity of learning things that also help me in my "real" job.

Social media isn't innovative. It's not hard to figure out, or implement. There is certainly no lack of information available online and off, written by amazing people with blogs waaaay more popular than mine. (Go read Connie Bensen, Maki and Dawn Foster's words.) These are smart, professional people who teach and listen and advise, for money. Like I do. There are a lot of social media consultants in the world today, but I don't see them as my competition. There's plenty of learning and teaching to go around. And as long as my job (or jobs, I should say) involve the opportunity to learn, I am satisfied.

I know there's nothing more Super-Cool than empowering another person with information that has empowered you.

I will link to Kevin's Working/Learning Carnival post when it is up. In the meantime, I wanna hear it: what are your thoughts on working and learning?

awesomesauce* For the record, I first heard this little ditty in a tweet from either @caseorganic or @corvida. Regardless of the source and the fact that everyone else on this planet has been "awesomesaucing" themselves silly without me all this time, they're both awesomesauce and you should be following them on Twitter.

gynormous** For the record, I came up with this little ditty. I think. And also for the record, the best part about it is the "gyn". Because secretly I am a 12 year old boy.

Let's go steady!

Perception is personal (and consequently, not negotiable)

Image via Wikipedia

The last few days are pockmarked with examples proving without a doubt that perception is personal. Some of them affecting me personally, some not. All jarring, nonetheless.

Time and again a perception disconnect has played out. Involving situations of multiple points of views of such stark contrast, delivered with such absolute conviction, it tugs at my belief the Universe wants to make damned sure I've learned this lesson: individual opinion is personal, based on the whole of a life time of experiences and current thinking processes.

I am greatly influenced by and quite aware of this disconnect. This is that place in conversations and relationships where differing strongly-held opinions are so utterly contrasting that both parties are left scratching their heads in wonder. Questions like How could anyone possibly look at the evidence and see it any other way? and Who in their right minds, after all that has been said and done, could believe otherwise? populate thoughts.

I find exploring the answer to these questions powerful writing fodder. But that's prose, what I make up. In real life, I find disconnected perceptions a terrible burden. They make my heart race and my hackles raise. Realizing I'm not on the same page as another person, sometimes not even the same book written in a language I comprehend, is a nightmare.

I would prefer it if petty conflict was passe and bitter smallness was a curable disease, but it's not. I imagine I would be much more open to letting naturally insensitive creatures into my life if I could assure at least the resemblance of decorum, but I cannot.

What I can do, however, is limit the amount of petty conflict, bitter smallness and insensitive creatures in my life. And yes, I can write about it. I can work through the shifting intricacies of disconnected personal perceptions in my stories. I can refuse to take part in "going there" when pressed repeatedly to explain the reasoning behind my convictions, maybe in the hopes that I'll change my mind. And I can remind myself that an opposing view has just as much a right to exist as mine, even if I am undoubtedly sure mine is the "right" view.

In the construction of the storyline running through my current project, I find I am always thinking of this conflict. It almost feels I've manifested these recent real-life examples of personal perception disconnects to help me write the pieces that go in it, to help give me insight into the complexities of the relationships between people, to help me be a better writer and person. But it sucks, really sucks, when these complexities and disconnects threaten my world despite my best efforts.

So to the Universe I say this: it is my contention that this disconnect, this illusion of what is truth and what is fiction, is already a central theme in my life. I am quite aware of it, I study it, I live it. Therefore, I recommend the Universe drop the shovel, and step away from the hole. I'd like to move on to other life lessons, please. Perhaps in the way of learning to feel peaceful for long periods of time. I could use some of that.

Let's go steady!

How to write better and faster (and why the library makes me sexy)

Image by margolove via Flickr

I like to go to the free writing classes the Multnomah County Library offers to the general public. They have a huge number of interesting programs and events to go to: classes and workshops on a wide range of topics, special interest clubs, exhibits, storytelling times -- and all of it is conveniently listed online on the library's Event Finder page.

I'm a big library fan (duh) and therefore-hereto-consequently am freaking excited to report that @melissalion and I will be teaching our Social Media in Real Life class on May 8th. This is really great news for the mediaChick brand. Teaching at the library is super sexy, and I'm all about promoting the idea that smart = sexy.

So, I've attended a few writing classes at the library, and although most of the classes are geared toward the beginning writer I find they're invaluable for gaining perspective on the art of getting my damned words out in some sort of sensible, cohesive form. It takes work to make words look this good. In fact, I find it can be really, really hard. (Which of course means it's worth doing.)

Recently I attended a class called Speed Depth in Fiction Writing, taught by local author Laura Whitcomb. Laura talked through some techniques she uses to write third draft stuff the first time around in her "how to" book Novel Shortcuts.

So at yesterday's class I listened to what Laura had to say about her experiences as a full-time writer and the things that help her write faster, better. Although I didn't learn anything new, I did get a cheat-sheet of sorts on how to quickly crank out a story's blueprint. I think I'll find that most helpful because I'm a hardcore list-maker and need structure for my muse to be happy.

Here is an overview of the most goodest advice, with my "buck-fifty" comments thrown in. (I think we all know that I have comments to throw in.):

Create a soundtrack for your story
Search for songs that emulate your story, its climax moments, its characters. Play them when you write, starting with the one tune that really nails the overall feeling of your story. Your story's title track. End your soundtrack with the scene that best conveys your ending scene. Everything in between is up to you, but should include music from the time period of your story, music culturally relevant, etc.

Movie soundtracks are the best place to look for music that has an emotional charge, but without lyrics. Music without lyrics is optimal for writing for most people. Then you have people like me: fiercely attracted to music that first sucker punches me with a delicious melody and then finishes me off with lyrics that blow my mind. Consequently, my story soundtracks often contain all songs with lyrics -- distractions be damned.

Let the Masters guide you
When your best efforts to write a scene in your story the way you want it isn't happening, when you're struggling to make a decision about solving a tricky plot problem, try to remember how another, more experienced writer has pulled it off. For Pete's sake, don't rip off the Masters, only emulate the Masters. They know more than you and you'd be a better writer if you paid attention to how they go about solving the problems of their characters in their stories.

Random thoughts are not random
Laura calls this sensation your "sensory ghosts" and I call them "Ah-ha! moments" but they both boil down to the same thing: your subconscious is connecting the dots for you. The next time you're working away on something and suddenly you're reminded of a totally random phrase in a book, or a poem, or a person from your past, ask yourself "why." You'll find your brain has been working hard, along side you, and has found something new to consider in your writing. Perhaps the beat of the poem will make that clumsy intro paragraph finally work, or a quote from somebody else's character will inspire you to write a better plot line. When this happens to you, this "out of the blue" idea, you should probably shut up and listen to it.

If it stinks, cut it down at the knees
This is something I have found to be most useful in my quest to eradicate my tendency to be too wordy when I just can't get a scene to come together the way I want it to. Here's how you do it: Starting from the bottom of your page, read backwards through your disappointing sentences until you find one that you think is actually pretty effing good. Hack everything that follows it. All of the stinky, not awesome sentences. Ah...feels good, doesn't it?

Perfect your story's Big Moment
In every great story there must be critical passages that the reader's mind will drift to when thinking about it. That's what makes it a great story. There should be, however, one defining passage -- one moment that encapsulates the very essence of your story's awesomeness. That trait, what Laura calls a "cross hairs" moment, is in every single great story in the history of great stories. Make sure your story has one, and that it rocks.

Take the shortcut to the scene
This is a great way for writers who want to cut through the hemming and hawing prevalent in the early stage of creation, all that namby-pamby emotional back story crap that bogs me down because I'm INFJ and only sharing my writing with the public due to my fear of mortality. I require structure to create, and deadlines, because the creative process isn't a natural process. It doesn't just ooze out of me and I can't turn on and off the floodgates. The writer, the artist, the sculptor, the turn-table king -- we're all creative people who need to induce the muse to come out and play.

Here's one way for writers to quickly plot out a story's scenes (one page per scene):

1. Start with a short description of what should happen in the scene. Use regular type font.
2. Write a few lines of dialogue that supports what's happening in the scene. Use bold font.
3. Write for ten minutes, as fast as you can. Faster than your speeding, nay-saying inner critic. Use italic font. Next, go back through and bold 10 or so phrases you really like. You probably recognize this writing method (which you probably learned in high school) as free writing or stream-of-consciousness writing. Laura calls it a "heartstorm" which is cute, but I don't always write from my heart. I shall call it free writing, with the unspoken understanding that the sub-types are "heart," "brain" and "sex organs."
   
4. Print out your one-page outline, the bones of your scene, and keep it within eyesight while you write your third draft of it the first time out, the flesh of your scene.
   

Positive thought: not just for New Agers
Visualize whirled peas aside, the power of positive thinking cannot be denied. A good attitude and hopeful optimism is critical to your success and the health of your writer's ego. Since that statement is coming from a natural pessimist, I encourage you to give some weight to the idea that it can help your writing career and your writing. Here are some tips and tricks to get yourself in the right frame of mind for your undoubtedly pending fame and fortune:

• Write the copy for the jacket of your future book, your bio for the online column you want to pen, or the accolades from your wordsmith heroes tooting the talent horn.
• Go get your author photo taken and introduce yourself as a writer (even if you feel you aren't one. Yet.)
  
• Visualize breaking through barriers or walls. Literally. Write words on the walls or hang things on it that represent your barriers (people, places, things) and then use your hands, a sledgehammer, a cannon, whatever your little heart desires, to bust it down.
  
• Fantasize about your impending fame and fortune. I recommend you do this right before falling asleep or within 5 minutes of waking, because those are the times of day your sub-conscious mind is still more in charge than the conscious mind. As the conscious mind likes to remind you that, no, you are not a wildly successful and sought-after writer on permanent working vacation in the tropical isles, you'll want to focus your fantasy life to when your mind is more receptive.

Well, there you are. I hope you found this informative, and not a re-hashing of things you already knew about the craft of getting your words right. Or, if it is, that I was at least entertaining enough for you. I'll be trying out Laura's "shortcuts to the scene" tips, a good story plotter for my list-loving brain, and continuing with the other things mentioned here I'm already doing.

To my writer readers: any other tips to share on writing better, faster? Any of these ideas new to you, or something you might try? Drop me a comment or contact. I'd love to know! Meow!

Let's go steady!

Not scared? Then you're doing it wrong

"If it isn't frightening, it's not worth doing."

I was ruminating with Ed Borasky (@znmeb) about that old adage yesterday at Beer and Blog. We sat at the bar together, I drank the lovely dark stout @pdxflaneur bought me, Ed ate his aromatic clam chowder, and we discussed how the things we choose to do in life, the things that influence pivotal changes and pregnant possibilities, are often the scariest experiences in life.

Ed is a superincrediblytalented math guy who specializes in open source performance testing software. He likes to optimize things for efficiency and discuss the future of semantic Web, and his real first name is Maurice. (He's also available for hire, so if you're looking for a superincrediblytalented math guy you should go check him out).

Talking to Ed makes me feel smart-ish, because I can work in smart-ish phrases when I talk to him: "Profiling Ruby is soooo 21st Century" and "Done with that paper on algorithmic composition and synthesis of music yet?" for instance.

Quite honestly I'm not sure what he's getting out of our chats, but he's very nice to indulge me when the topic is the art of being human.

The byword If it isn't frightening, it's not worth doing is similar to other, familiar Life in a Nutshell versions I live by. That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger and If it's hard it must be good for you are themes I know well, as a writer and a human. I weave them into my stories, and I live and breathe them. I'm betting you do, too.

And I try to do scary things, every single day. I stretch my personal boundaries and talk to strangers, acting like that's no big deal. I blindly trust in my capabilities and capacity for being the best, most awesome me I can be. I am also working on the biggest, most personal media project of my life. The kind that solicits reactions from friends and strangers praising my bravery and questioning my sanity.

It's not bravery. It may be insanity. But always It is frightening, and therefore worth doing.

No matter how loud my instinctive personality kicks and screams, of course preferring I NOT do these frightening things, I still do it. My instinct tells me it's necessary to plunder through. Even though I am not a risk-taker by any means. Even if I am not a fan of surprises, and need mental preparation for spontaneous acts of "winging it" (which isn't really winging it, FINE). I do it anyway.

But still, I want to live a life of rewarding personal fulfillment, not have life be what happens when I'm busy doing other stuff.

What kind of "life" is that?

If you're not taking chances once in a while -- really going for it, scaring yourself with the fierce desire to follow through -- then you're doing it wrong. Life deserves better from you.

Go, start, now. You'll be so glad you did. I know I am already, no matter what happens.

Let's go steady!