1. skip my post altogether this morning
2. post a picture and a quote/poem
3. write a list
4. write my post about it!
As you can see, I chose option #4! I realize that writer's (or blogger's block , in this case!) is something we all face at one time or another. We can't be brilliant, insightful, funny, amazing all of the time:) If we are lucky , it happens some of the time...So what do we do? How do we work through it while still being authentic and relevant. Here are some things I have found to be helpful...okay, here goes #3-the list!
1. I write my post anyway without having all these expectations of it being a great post.
2. I did deep within mySELF and find pieces of vulnerability, insecurity, goofiness and embrace them. I include them in my writing because these are pieces that we all have, that we can all relate to
3. I pick a topic that I am passionate about (the environment, art, reading, human rights, food...) and once I start writing, things flow
4. I have skipped a few days because I hit the wall but I find that, for me, this often prolongs my "block". It's about finding that balance between "recharging" and "working through"
5. I pick pieces of my personal life (starting my art business, motherhood, marriage, a great book I am reading) and write about that. I find that there is so much we all have in common...that we can share and learn from
6. I post a quote
7. I write a poem
8. I write a list (you can make up a list of just about anything!)
9. I look through my pics and let them inspire my post. For example...a pic of a loaf of bread can inspire me to write about simplicity or a trip to the Farmer's Market. A picture of Tara in a summer dress can inspire me to write about the joy of motherhood or the top 10 things I love about summer or...
10. I keep in mind that blogging (like everything else in life) is a process. If we are too hard on ourSELVES, set unrealistic expectations or quit because it's difficult...we won't grow, learn, evolve. And it's the journey after all...
The most important thing, though, is that I strive to be authentic and to keep in mind that all of you reading this are dear kindred spirits; friends of my heart. This, above all else, sends the gremlins packing! What are some things you do to work through your bloggers' block?
6 comments:
First, before I forget ... thank you for that Etsy link ... I ordered one of the sale kits and hope my Cowgirl will like it! I just love kids clothing - the patterns, the colors, the whimsy, the playful styles - hey, a blog topic! I've actually ordered, for myself, a dress from a "kids" catalog (love it; hope i don't look too silly!)
I too experience those days when the flow of ideas/inspiration seems dry. I think it is a necessary filling up period. I know in my art, I try to do those foundation things - gessoing pages, making background papers, doodling - so when inspiration does come back, I am ready to go! For blogging ... hmmm ... guilty of posting a poem, video, photo. I tend to be wordy, so I realize some people prefer/enjoy brief posts - bites of inspiration rather than long, drawn out discussions.
What I should do more of is keep a list in my "To Remember" (versus To Do) book of blog topics. You know you always have a great one in mind while driving the car, cooking dinner or otherwise engaged! I need to jot these topics down to remember later on when my mind is a blank.
Great post! Got me thinking ...
Great question, Soraya, and what do you know? By just diving in and writing what was on your heart... voila! you have created a great post that everyone can relate to!
When I started blogging I was so afraid of this - afraid I would run out of things to say. I didn't feel like I could even begin until I had a very long list of topics. Well, guess what. That was last October and some of those things are still waiting to be written about! For me it hasn't been an issue. I jot down ideas when I get them, but I sometimes wait to use them. Life happens, I read other blogs, I do a little photo shoot and before you know it, there is a new post! I sometimes pre-write them and match them with photos which can be really helpful.
Anyway, you are doing a great job, dear friend, because you write from the heart and I always enjoy reading your posts!!
Kindred spirits indeed, Soraya. Another great post to remind me that we are all in this together. One of the things to get me through a block is to simply begin each day even if it is only a paragraph or two, or a 10 minute collage.... something to keep to the creative habit.
And what did you do here, Soraya? You wrote a wonderful post that is completely YOU and touches US. You actually dived in and didn't run away! I'm so glad you did, because I can relate to all what you're saying here, and I know I'm not the only one.
I dived into blogging scared sh*tless. Because I was afraid that no one would read it. Because I wondered whether I really have to say anything. And mainly because English is my second language and I was afraid I was struggling with the language and not find the right words.
I was totally right with the last one. Sometimes I don't know certain expressions or just don't hit the nuance for something that I'm feeling deep down but don't have the exact words to express (yes, I do have dictionaries and a Thesaurus). And still... I love it.
I often don't know what to write about because I think it's not relevant to anybody. I love to post my photos - that's why I started my blog in the first place. But just like Patty I jot down ideas whenever they hit me, and perhaps one day I'll blog about them.
As you said, the most important thing is to be authentic. Today, you showed us how.
Wonderful post!! I go thru phases all the time where I just can't find the motivation to write. I'll have topics to write about and instead I procrastinate. It's a huge problem for me. It's not so much writer's block as writer's laziness!;) I've been dealing with that gremlin most of the summer. If I figure out ways to get over it I'll definitely share!
Hope you're enjoying lots of family time!
Dearest sweet soraya, this is really a very wonderful post and thanks so much for sharing how you deal with such a block.
I too get these sometimes and my mind would go totally blank just staring at my screen. When moments like this hits, i usually just close my blog window and do some other things to find my bloging inspiration back.
Things i do included ~ visit creative friend's blog, visit the local craft shops, work on sewing and desings, have a cup of tea or coffee, read a book, watch some movies and so on. Usually it's things that get me off my mind on being stress with not knowing what to write. Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to you!
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