In the past few months two different friends have reached out to me for advice about blogging. I find this rather amazing. But, I'm happy to talk about blogging with just about anyone.
Most of the time I am. When things are going well.
Yes, when I get up at a decent hour and the ideas are flowing, I can find the appropriate links and the photos drop easily into the text like the last piece in a jigsaw, blogging is a marvelous daily discipline. I'm in the zone. It's one of the best things in my life.
When I oversleep, or ideas are in short supply, or self confidence is at a low ebb, blogging feels more like an exercise in self loathing. The vast whiteness of the blank page with a cursor blinking is the stuff of nightmares.
Here are some questions you should ask yourself if you are considering writing a blog.
A lesson that I have learned over time is that a shortage of ideas is far less daunting than having things to write about at a time when it would be wiser to remain silent. Not speaking, no matter how wise, is a heavy weight to carry. That's when you need a back up plan. Your commitment to write has to be bigger than the immovable object.
When all else fails, run the post from one year ago on this date. I try not to do that too often. But perspective can be educational.
Of course this assumes that you've already been writing for more than a year.
What are you waiting for? You need to start banking those blog posts now for when you'll need them in the future.
Trust me. You'll need them.
Most of the time I am. When things are going well.
Yes, when I get up at a decent hour and the ideas are flowing, I can find the appropriate links and the photos drop easily into the text like the last piece in a jigsaw, blogging is a marvelous daily discipline. I'm in the zone. It's one of the best things in my life.
When I oversleep, or ideas are in short supply, or self confidence is at a low ebb, blogging feels more like an exercise in self loathing. The vast whiteness of the blank page with a cursor blinking is the stuff of nightmares.
Here are some questions you should ask yourself if you are considering writing a blog.
- What drives you to write?
- Who do you want to communicate with?
- What is special about your voice that will bring readers back again and again?
- How much do you really want to do this?
- What do you hope to get out of blogging?
- How frequently are you willing to write?
A lesson that I have learned over time is that a shortage of ideas is far less daunting than having things to write about at a time when it would be wiser to remain silent. Not speaking, no matter how wise, is a heavy weight to carry. That's when you need a back up plan. Your commitment to write has to be bigger than the immovable object.
When all else fails, run the post from one year ago on this date. I try not to do that too often. But perspective can be educational.
Of course this assumes that you've already been writing for more than a year.
What are you waiting for? You need to start banking those blog posts now for when you'll need them in the future.
Trust me. You'll need them.
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