I was thinking about how much I like to write the other day and a strange thought came into my mind: I wondered, how many words have I written over my life? I've written since I first learned how and haven't stopped. I still have the intricate stories I wrote as a child. I have dozens of half-filled written journals, not to mention my computer files. Imagine all the notes I took and papers I wrote as a journalism student and then a graduate student in healthcare. Just today in class I think I took about 4 pages of notes. I'm still at it with a 20 page term paper due in November.

I write a lot. I write all day at work, through e-mails or meeting minutes, etc. I write for fun. I write for pay. Just on this website, which just began this year, I've already written close to 20,000 words.That's a lot, and just from blog entries. It's amazing. My pour hands will surely have arthritis someday!

I think it's ironic how sometimes I sit down to write and the words just flow out of me, as rapidly as a river after a spring rain. But then other times, I sit, starring at the blank page, waiting for a single sentence to form. I'll even close my eyes, trying to concentrate and make the thoughts form, like the character Hiro from "Heroes". I know the thoughts are in my mind but why can't they form when I have the chance to actually spend time writing?

It seems like my most creative thoughts flow freely when I'm busy doing something else, at work or just before I fall asleep. The last time I had a whirlwind of creative thoughts was just after my visit to Eugene for the Willamette Writers presentation . The speaker, Melinda Dille, had inspired me with her personal journey in publishing her book. I was intrigued at her persistent and confidence in her idea. So, as I drove home that night, my mind was going about as fast as I was traveling, and I wasn't even speeding! I wished at that moment that I could pull over and just write down all my thoughts. But it was dark and I wanted to get home. I told my husband when I got home that I wished I could download my brain, without losing a single thought! I had so many good ideas, all flowing at once. I did manage to get some of the best ideas into written form, and I still remember the majority of content from my 65 mph brainstorm!

The experts say to begin brainstorming by writing down whatever comes to mind. Well, sometimes that works for me. But other times, I go off on strange tangents, never to return to my primary objective for sitting down to write at all. But it can be fun.

I guess my problem is that I want to start writing my book content so badly, or a genuinely good article that sometimes I put too much pressure and stress on myself to be productive at writing. I need to remember that I do have a full-time job, a new marriage and a yard full of weeds, grass, and a jungle of beautiful plants. I just wish my creative thoughts would suit my available time for writing. I think I just need to work on those writing habits again!

Writing for the Internet sure is different than most of what I learned while studying Journalism writing and style. Sure, we use the basic, who, what, where, when, why and how when introducing an article. Yet, titles are quite a bit different.

I started writing at Suite101.com about travel and healthcare, and whatever I could think of, like sports and nutrition. I would try to title my articles with something flashy or witty, like I did in college. But then my articles would get flagged by the editor, requesting that I change my titles.

You see, writing for the Internet is all about the keywords. Articles don't get popular or even read with witty titles. Articles get read if they contain keywords that match what a reader searches for. We get most of our matches from Google. We are advised to write our articles at Suite101 based on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) richness, meaning the more unique and special the keywords, the more closer the article will be to matching what a reader searches for.

It's very interesting, and I am still learning. I like learning new things. I'll let you know when I learn something new.

Currently, I am the Feature Writer for Meteorology & Climatology at Suite101.com, which means I am required to produce one 400-600 word article on a weather or climate subject per week. I also need to write one blog a week. Sometimes these requirements can be a handful, as I am busy with work and other things. But other times I get on a roll and produce several articles a day! It’s hard to tell when I will be the most creative or productive. I try to keep a running list of articles and topics.

I also try to write outside of weather and climate because those articles tend to pay better and have more visitors. Sometimes I will hit the jackpot with an article on a very popular topic. It’s great to see the high page views, with corresponding revenue.

So, right now, my writing habits are hit or miss. I would like to do most of my writing on the weekends with a set apart amount of time for it. But in reality, I’m not sure that is feasible. So, it is a goal of mine to develop a habit of writing, or to set aside a time for writing when I can let my creative thoughts run without being interrupted or busy with other things.