My blog has been live for exactly one month – and I’m starting to experience writer’s block, already. The challenges of maintaining a blog are obvious, and ones that I knew coming into this endeavor: Finding new, interesting content to update regularly, keeping me relevant to my readers. However, I find myself struggling to come up with those topics that will highlight my knowledge, opinion and endearing levels of sass.
Thus, I am drawing inspiration from a current photography project and creating a personal challenge for my blog.
I am trying to train myself to look at objects, scenes, people with an artistic eye. So, my first challenge I set for myself is to capture every letter of the alphabet somewhere in nature. It is quite the task so far… I don’t naturally look at the underside of a billboard and see Rs or bike racks for the Es. However, I hope that it will help me develop a new, interesting perspective in my photography.
Translating my letter-seeking, camera quest to my blog?
I hereby challenge myself to analyze. A simple reporting of current trends, news stories and events won’t make my blog unique or desirable to readers. I need to be more comfortable developing an opinion (I’m sure many of you don’t anticipate that being hard for me!), articulating said opinion and preparing myself to defend it. I want to inspire conversation, welcome alternative views and learn new things from my readers – all at the same time.
While I don’t promise thoughtful, provoking analysis in every post. It is something that I will strive for on a regular basis. As always, I appreciate and learn from feedback – so please feel comfortable enough to give it!
How have you proficient bloggers tackled your writer’s block? Any tips for a beginner?
#1 by Missy @ The Marketing Mama on December 3, 2009 - 12:16 pm
Love the idea of photographing the alphabet in objects, very cool. I rarely get writers block for my blog. I usually always have 3-4 posts in my head at a time and struggle to get them all down! I’ve also been blogging for nearly 3 years, so I have some practice and have found my voice (mommy-blogger slash working mom slash marketing professional).
If I am feeling uninspired, I go read other blogs, news articles and just surf the web a little bit. Invariably I find something to link to or have an opinion on a hot topic I’d like to share.
After starting my blog, my real baptism was NABLOPOMO (national blog posting month) when people post daily for 30 days. At first it’s tough, but it’s great discipline and really helped me find my voice.
#2 by Kristin on December 3, 2009 - 3:30 pm
Missy,
Thanks for the feedback. I will look into NABLOPOMO – it sounds like a great challenge for me. It’s good to hear that it may also simply take some time for me to get into my groove. After reading so many well-written blogs, I expected it all to come more naturally to me!
Thanks for stopping by. I would appreciate your thoughts on future posts as well!
Kristin
#3 by Liz Strand on December 4, 2009 - 5:46 am
I have sort of the opposite problem. I have so many things I want to write about (long lists of things actually), but my brain holds me back. The seemingly “never going to finish healing” concussion/mild traumatic brain injury, limits my reading & writing by about 1200% of pre-injury totals (seriously)! So by the time I do some tweeting & read some articles in my Google reader, the brain is done. Very disappointing. But I keep that list ready for when the brain is willing!
I suggest keeping a list on your phone, so whenever you have any idea, you can jot it down, even if it seems stupid or trivial at the time. My other suggestion is to read as much as you can. Ever since I was in Kindergarten, my intense need to read everything in sight, led to me writing stories as soon as I knew how to print letters. Reading has always been a huge inspiration to everything (which is why I really hate my brain these days!)
Just keep writing though. I enjoy what you’ve done so far!
#4 by Recovering Procrastinator on December 5, 2009 - 12:38 pm
I agree with Liz to keep a list and to read, especially other blogs and news outlets. Also, I have gotten a lot of ideas on twitter, in the form of offhand comments or links to blogs/articles I never would have seen otherwise.
Another big one for me is to not feel like I have to sit down, write an entire post and hit publish. I have several drafts right now that may or may not ever see the light of day. But even better, some times I sit down and think “I just need to type up these few sentences so I don’t forget them” and next thing I know, I have a whole post done. Similarly, comment on other blogs because a lot of times, my comments get so long that they end up becoming their own post.
PS My sister’s best friend gave her a wedding gift that was her new last name spelled out in photos like the ones you are taking, all taken at locations special to the couple. And I’ve seen similar such gifts online, with “love” or names spelled in photos. You could set up your own etsy shop.