I enjoy sharing tips, suggestions and ideas about writing with all of you here. But I also enjoy reading, learning and getting inspiration from a wide range of sources online.
As my contribution to this month’s ‘What I Learned From’ Group Writing Project I wanted to share some of things I’ve learned about writing from my friends online – and to say a big thanks for everything that they’ve taught me.
This is far from being an exclusive list and if you’re not here – don’t worry! It doesn’t mean I haven’t learned from you. Nor does it mean we’re not friends 
But when I reflected on it these were the online writing friends I’d learned the most from. Learned how to:
Tell stories to captivate and engage your readers: Robert Hruzek at the Middle Zone
Like… What I Learned From A Few Friendly Words
Write marketing and sales copy that works – without losing your human voice: Brad Shorr at Word Sell
Like… 33 Foolproof Headline Strategies
Engage and inspire your readers, over and over again: Liz Strauss at Successful Blog
Say a lot in a few words: Rick Mahn with the happiness series
Combine pictures with words to challenge our perspective: Amy Palko at Less Ordinary
Like… 10 Tips For Adding A Splash of Colour
Write, coach and teach from a clear value base: Rosa Say at Managing with Aloha Coaching and editor extraordinaire at Joyful Jubilant Learning!
Like… Citizen Publishing the Value Based Way
Experiment to bring a potentially dull subject to life, readable by all: Robyn McMaster at Brain Based Biz
Write about your beliefs with a refreshing honesty: Jon Swanson at the Levite Chronicles
…like Do I Want To Be Where I Am?
Write with courage, right out of your comfort zone: Karen Wallace at the Calm Space
… with a happy ending (and beginning) shared at Joyful Jubilant Learning: One Woman’s Journey To Being a Writer
Write with fierce pride, and a big heart: Karen Swim at Words for Hire
… I’ll never forget reading this piece Karen, thank you: My Love Affair
Of course I haven’t just learned about writing from these people, I’ve also learned about friendship. Like most of us when we started out blogging, I had no idea this daily posting of ideas and thoughts could possibly lead to deep, funny, meaningful, inspiring and no doubt lasting friendships.
I’m very lucky to have chatted to many of these friends on the phone as well as through the comment boxes of our blogs, and I’m even luckier to have met so many in person over the last six months. When you look at these pictures you’ll see how much it’s meant to me (I don’t normally grin quite so widely when I’m having my picture taken!)
Robert Hruzek, Brad Shorr and myself: photo credit Joanna Young
Chatting with Jon Swanson: Photo Credit for Happy Times to Chris Brogan
Meeting Liz Strauss: photo credit to Terry Starbucker
I hope I’ll have many more such pictures to share in the months and years to come.
Thanks friends for your writing inspiration and your blogging friendship, which I treasure.
Thank you for compiling these great links, Joanna.
I always enjoy discovering new sources of inspiration. I’ve already checked out the one on ’33 Foolproof Headline Strategies’ and it’s a brilliant summary.
Did you enjoy your trip to see Liz- I’m thinking the photo was taken in Chicago?
Scott, the headline post is good isn’t it?
Yes, the Liz picture was taken in Chicago though I did subsequently meet her in Edinburgh too.
All the pictures are from Chicago – I was there in May at SobCon. That was an experience and a half!
Joanna
Hi Scott – Glad you like the headline post! I actually learned quite a bit just writing it. Joanna, you are one of the finest learners around. Looking at how quickly you’ve developed your blogging skills has been an inspiration. We can all learn from you, that’s for sure.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Project Confident Friendship Recap
Joanna,
You’ve learned great lessons from great friends. Thanks for sharing.
Joanna, I am so thankful to call you mentor and friend. I smiled widely as I looked at the pictures too. It’s wonderful to meet online friends in person, isn’t it? The posts you assembled today all stand out for me too as do those who wrote them. Thank you so much for including me. I feel like the fan who suddenly finds herself among stars she admires.
Karen Swims last blog post..A Day of Rememberance
It’s been an honor and a true pleasure to be counted among your friends, Joanna! I’m glad we had the chance to finally get the Three Musketeers together in Chicago. (Although I still want to know – who is that fourth guy is behind you and Brad? You know, the one in the white hat.)
It’s been wonderful seeing how your writing has grown over the year – and how my own had grown as well from your influence.
Thanks for being you, my friend! A tip o’ the hat to ya!
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..What I Learned From a Few Friendly Words
[...] What I’ve Learned About Writing From My Friends Online: Proof that participating in the blogosphere can be valuable. [...]
What a wonderful post as always! It’s so good to be back reading and connecting with you again after my summer hiatus. Lots of inspiration for me to use as I re-start my blogging again. You are definitely one of the GREAT bloggers! : )
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Joanna,
I really enjoyed looking at those pictures. How nice to see bloggers who met each other in person and have become friends!
I will enjoy checking out those links and reading any of those articles I may have missed a long the way.
thanks!
Wendi Kellys last blog post..A Letter to the World
Joanna,
What a great post to add to Robert’s group writing project. One that may just inspire me to participate with all of you in this – I think there’s time left for that.
The way you interact witheveryone, and share your views and ideas inspire many to try something new. Like everyone here, I’m glad to have had the chance to meet you and know I’ve learned a lot from your work.
Hey, is that my nose in that photo with Jon Swanson…?
Brad, I take it as a big compliment that you think I’m a fine learner. Thank you… for everything
Lillie, indeed I have, from all of you. It was fun compiling this list and thinking of the different ways you’ve all influenced me
Karen, I’m just looking forward to having that picture of you and me meeting up for next year’s round of photos
Robert, the feeling is mutual. It was worth going to Chicago just for the opportunity for the three of us to meet up. And don’t we all look happy at the gathering? Even the metal guy with the hat
I’ll be thinking of you till the storm passes – looking forward to seeing you start up your nonsense again at the Zone at the start of the week
Ariane, hello and welcome back to the blogosphere! A picture of you and me is a definite must for the future too!
Wendi, friendship between bloggers is special indeed. I’ve been lucky enough to meet Amy several times too but I didn’t have any usable shots of the two of us that I could include – I think we must have been too busy chatting away!
Rick, it would be fun if you did have did have time to take part. You’ve inspired me a lot too over my blogging career, and yes, you did make it into the photo hall of fame too. That’s your nose in the shot right enough and whatever you said must have been enough to make us laugh in delight. Happy times, happy memories
Joanna
Hi Joanna – great pics and links. Thanksfor sharing.
As a blogger, we all are storytellers, isn’t it Joanna?
By the way, I’m also one of the loyal readers of Robert’s blog, “middlezonemusings” and I love his writing style!
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[...] What I’ve Learned About Writing From My Friends Online [...]
Cath, glad you enjoyed them
Wilson, that’s an interesting point, and one I’m sure Robert would appreciate! He has a great blog and has brought so many people together in the weird and wonderful world of the ‘zone’
[...] What I Learned About Writing From My Friends Online, by Joanna Young at Confident Writing [...]
I love all the link love and introductions to so many interesting bloggy folks in this post, even more how clearly you portray the impact we have on each other through the blogoshpere and beyond- i believe those are my silver threads behind you, robert and brad
Mother Earth, you’re right, the connections and influences are deeply woven indeed… a bit like braids maybe
And yes, now I look again I can see you just behind us. Must have been shortly before the pizza eating episode!
Thanks for the welcome back! I would love to have a picture taken with you…if you are ever in the New York City or Philadephia area or even New England…let me know! : )
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Joanna, thanks for posting these pictures from SOB. What fun to see you there with Liz, Robert and Brad!
And, thanks for the kind words about my blog. At times I have to chew on my topic before I bring the breath of a fire breathing dragon to it!
I’m extra swamped with work at the moment so blogging has taken a little bit of a back seat. That really happened this summer. I so love blogging that I want to keep up once or twice a week.
Robyn McMasters last blog post..Celery and Green Peppers Work Wonders for the Brain
Ariane, thanks for letting me know where I’ll find you… let’s see what we can do some time!
Robyn, I’m glad you enjoyed them. I know all of them would love to meet up with you too – maybe Chicago next year? Your blog is one of my favourites and I know a lot of people feel the same way. One of the great things about the way we follow blogs is that your readers are all still around after a bit of a break. Although we missed you over the summer it’s great to have you back blogging away just now
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