In an effort to start writing again I looked for tips and tricks online to get the words flowing. The only thing I found that struck a chord was this - Writer’s Block Tips and Why They Are Useless. So, inclined to agree that the only thing likely to work was determination, I set about putting together my own list of suggestions to help you really dig your heals in and blog your socks off.
Believe me; I’ve needed to do all these things just to get this post written. My head has been so far… away from my blog recently that I’ve had to pull it back with the help of several greasy strong-men and a lot of rope!
So – what did it take to get me blogging again?
Get help from a higher power
This has worked for me many times in the past. Do you know someone else that always seems to have something to write about – sit and listen to them, you never know, with that many ideas they might be willing to give some away. There are bloggers that manage to throw up a good post EVERY DAY – check out their tweets, they might have some more nuggets of inspiration just lying around. If you can’t think of anyone that can help, pick up ‘No One Cares What You Had for Lunch’ by Margret Mason. 100 ideas – there’s got to be something that will inspire you.
Face the problem
Whatever has been keeping you from blogging needs addressing. This doesn’t mean you have to solve your problem. You don’t have to get all your debt written off, mend your broken heart or find the perfect career before you can write another post. You need to reach a point where you can sulk over your troubles (should you have any) and blog at the same time! Writing things down (ahem!) is great. Articulating on paper has really worked for me. Distil your turmoil onto one page of A4. You can look back at it and think ‘Yep – that’s what’s bugging me’. And be free to use your thought space for other (more productive) things.
No Procrastinating
Easier said than done, I know. No cups of tea, no cookies, no snacks of any kind until you have got a post down on paper (figuratively speaking). No, you don’t need to check Twitter, your homies can manage 20 minutes without your insight into their latest gadget purchase. If necessary write your first draft with a pen to avoid online temptations. There is no need to build a killer writing playlist on Spotify and you certainly don’t need to catch a few more Scrubs repeats on Comedy Central. That scratchy fingernail can wait too…
Write or Die!
If all else fails and you are unable to commit anything to the page. This little tool is guaranteed to get something – anything – out of you.
I’d love to hear about what it takes for you to blog on a regular basis.
Picture Courtesy of Annie Mole
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Balancing output and input - it’s a tricky task these days, so much to read and interact with. One trick is to box out some time to blog - a special hour once a day or once a week. As you see interesting things, through them into a document or draft post, then when blogging hour comes, take a look at the pile and see what you want to write about.
Yes I know what you mean, it can be hard to write on your blog. I know that I don’t. I don’t really promote mine that much, need to get it sorted and better organised. Plus I am sure that people don’t to hear me complain.
But one that that happens to me is that I will not write anything for a while and then suddenly I want to post two things on the same day. Maybe I should just do that.