Sustainable Blogging

I came across a blog post in the morning today about a microcast via Bill Ferriter’s The Tempered Radical blog.

It refers to a short, unpolished audio reflection as part of sustainable blogging, as opposed to super polished and labor-intensive blogs and podcasts.

I decided to give it a go and have included a link to my microcast at the top of this post.

Keeping it short (within 1-2 minutes) was pretty low stress. I recorded it using my Arctis 3 headset (comfortable and highly recommended) and laptop in my bedroom. Some microcasters do the recording on their phones in the car!

I started an audio blog long ago and stopped because the editing process was taking up more time and effort than I could commit to. A microcast version seems less intimidating so I hope to keep it going for a bit.

Anxiety

I’d like to try microcasting to see if it helps with my occasional speech anxiety. I think a lot more quickly than I speak, and I often feel the weight of the “disconnect” between my thoughts and forming a cohesive sentence verbally.

Part of my recent anxiety is due to my debut chapbook being accepted by a small press. I’m both excited and nervous about it as I wasn’t expecting much out of it when I sent it off. I also haven’t identified as a poet in a long while.

I’d love to share a few more details about the chapbook and will do so in the near future.

My super patient and friendly therapist says that some degree of speech or public speaking anxiety could always be there, as in it might never be perfect, but that it’s okay if that’s the case. Personally I’d just like to work towards building more confidence.

Just 5 years ago, I’d get all nervous just over a phone call, so I’m glad to have made some progress since then.

Other Writing Updates

I have some reviews forthcoming in a couple of literary journals / websites.

One of my haiku was selected for the “falling in love” theme on Haiku Dialogue.

I’d like to take another look at some of my short story collections or works-in-progress to see which one I’d like to complete next.

I have a small stack of writing books by my bedside and learn whatever I can when I have the energy for it.

Small Steps

Let me know if you’ve tried microcasting or if it’s something you enjoy doing.

I’m curious as to how it might help me be more consistent and intentional with building confidence with speaking skills.

I’ve joined a couple of public speaking type online sessions in the past, which were okay. I find that I have more issues with impromptu responses, or when my anxiety gets the better of me and I get into a hyper critical negative thought loop.

That has probably enough thoughts and content for a separate post, which I’ll get round to one of these days. I have a draft of it sitting around.