My Writing Process: "How I write a post"
How do you come with ideas for writing sijo poems for your posts?
(My writing template for my posts)
The first line of my sijo most often starts with the setting.
The second line then develops with more detail and info.
Sometimes, the third line has a question I based on lines one and two.
Several months ago. a reader asked how I write my sijo poems for my posts. I had never written down my process of how I write my sijo and create my substack posts. I thought I would share my process.
The photo above is the template that I have been using lately.
[D] = DRAFT and the SUBJECT is what I am writing about. Typically this is wildlife.
“TITLE” is a theme based on my experience from Nature on my hikes.
[SUBTITLE] I use the final line in my sijo poems as my subtitle.
I include a caption and date for my reference for the first photo in my posts.
[15.] = 15-syllable per line reminder for my three line sijo.
[PARAGRAPH1, 2, 3] = Description of my hike and encounter in Nature.
English - Korean = Lately, I’ve been including a few Korean words
My process looks like this:
Hike in Nature for 2-3 hours.
Observe and take photos of wildlife, plants, landscapes.
Reflect and think about my experience.
Choose a photo subject from my hiking photos.
Reflect and think about the photo subject.
Choose and add photos to my post template.
Write a description of my hike using my chosen photos.
Leave the post for several days - occasionally editing my writing.
Write the sijo based on my reflections of my hike.
Publish my post.
Hike in Nature for 2-3 Hours
I hike in Nature for 2-3 hours on Saturdays and Sundays. My hikes are walking meditations. Most hikes are here in Ottawa Ontario Canada at my favourite park: Britannia Conservation Area.
Observe and take photos of wildlife, plants, landscapes
I take photos of things I see on my hikes. Most photos are of wildlife, plants, and landscapes. I go on hikes without expectations. I like to be surprised.
Reflect and think about my experience
After my hike, I reflect on my experience. I meditate on the things I saw. This could be a Red Fox being chased by American Crows or a frozen lake covered in snow.
Choose a photo subject from my hike
I reflect on my experience and choose a photo subject from my hike. This could be something that stood out like a pair of White-tailed Deer or a Great Blue Heron.
Reflect and think about the photo subject
Once I have chosen a photo subject, I think about that subject. What did that subject mean to me at the time? What does the subject mean to me now?
Choose and add photos to my post template
Next, I choose photos of the subject. I do some simple photo editing using GIMP (free open-source photo editor.) I add the photos to my template.
Write a description of my hike using my chosen photos
I write the description of my hike using photos to tell a story. The story is what I experienced on my hike. I hope to share those experiences with the reader.
Leave the post for several days - re-read and edit my writing
I leave the post for a few days. I check it over a few days and read and edit.
Write the sijo poem based on my reflections of my hike
I save the sijo poem for the last step before publishing. I have had several days to reflect on my hike. I like the sijo to give a sense of my experience while also being philosophical and meditative. The sijo is a meditation.
Publish my post
Final step! I publish. My goals are to publish every Sunday and Wednesday.
English - Korean:
Poem = 시 / si (pronounced kind of like ‘she’)
Sijo = 시조 / sijo (pronounced kind of like ‘she-joe’)
Nature = 자연 / Jayeon
**Sijo are Korean 3-line verse/poems with 14-16 syllables per line.**
Thank you for sharing your writing process with us, Neil! The template and formula that you utilize and have designed come across as fresh and new every single post. Love it.
Love it! Keep inspiring. We need you ❤️