Not a Camouflaged Soul

Author: Jon Wellman

  • Blogifying Part 3: Dealing With Ideas

    In this last Blogifying post, I’ll deal with some of the ways I deal with inspiration, ideas, and concepts for this blog.

    The essential idea in this post came from something Steven Furtick said on his blog the other day…

    For now, keep your eyes open for every little piece of inspiration God gives you. And have a pen ready.

    The inspiration we are given that we do not immediately record will likely be lost. We as writers need some kind of system to notate our ideas. Here is what I do.

    1. Paper

    I carry a Moleskine notebook with me wherever I go. I used to carry a different brand of notebook, but got the idea to check out Moleskines from Michael Hyatt. It is sturdy and just the right size to carry in my bag or in my Bible cover. I use it to write down all kinds of ideas, but when a blog post topic comes to mind, I label it as a “blog seed.” When I look for things to write about, I thumb through my Moleskine and pick up topics I have not yet covered.

    2. Phone

    There are a few apps on my iPhone that I use to record ideas. The most often used is Evernote. I love this app, and have versions of it on my iPhone, iMac, and my work laptop. All my notes, voice notes, web clips, archived emails… anything I put in it… are synced to all devices and the web. I set up a folder to hold “in progress” posts, and get a rough draft down as quickly as I can.

    I also use Dragon Dictation. This app types what I say. I have written entire posts in my car just by saying them into my phone.

    The WordPress app is wonderful. I can write, add photos, and publish entire posts from start to finish straight from my phone. I have done so a couple of times.

    3. Whatever works.

    If none of these means are available (rarely the case), I write things down on whatever is handy. I ALWAYS carry a pen (well, the only place I don’t carry a pen is the gym, for obvious reasons). I have grown to love my Uni-ball Jetstream RT, so I use it to write on anything I can find. I’ll write on my hand if necessary (ask people that know me – I often have pen on my left hand). Whatever it takes to NOT LOSE an idea.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

  • NoCamo iPhone Background

    I put together an iPhone background for Not a Camouflaged Soul. Have at it!

  • Blogifying Part 2: Why Do I Blog?

    In my last post, I wrote about some of my blogging missteps and what platform is working for me now. In this post, I’m going to delve into my reasons for blogifying.

    This post is inspired by posts I read by Seth Godin, Michael Hyatt, and Kyle Chowning. In their respective posts, they write about why they blog, and why they don’t. Basically, they all seem to say that they blog because they choose to, not for readership or popularity. I can relate to these sentiments.

    I, too, write to get my own thoughts written down, virtually. As Michael Hyatt says…

    In short, I blog for me. (But you are welcome to read along!)

    But as I said in my last post, I see this blog as a ministry. I am a vocational pastor that focuses on music and outreach, so my other devotional-type thoughts (as well as my occasional meanderings about culture, tech, social media, and other areas) do not have a regular forum. This blog provides me an outlet to talk about the Christian life and to address topics that present in my life when they occur.

    I believe God uses everything we do for His glory as long as we allow Him to work through the gifts and talents He gives us. I have always loved language and writing, and I feel that God periodically gives me a unique view of His Word and life in general.

    As the name of this blog implies, I am passionate about being an “obvious” Christian. I believe we who follow Christ have nothing to fear or of which to be ashamed. I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and that fuels my writing at every level. Now, I may not always write about scripture or society’s woes, but as a follower of Christ, my life is a living testimony of the saving grace of Jesus. Thus, everything on this blog points to my Creator.

    We all have plenty to write about. There are 168 hours in every week. Every minute of our lives is full of one thing: LIVING. I just pay attention and write down what peaks my interest.

    Next… dealing with ideas.