Blog Writer's Block - Do you suffer from it?
A few days ago I read that a blogger was having a case of writer's block. I don't want to say who it is in case I embarrass her. I did leave a comment, as did other people - and many of the comments were very considered.
I have been mulling over blog writers block since I read this post. I don't seem to suffer from it, and I wondered why. Then I realised it is because I have a background that has given me the skills to overcome this problem.
I have a background, not only in nursing (very handy to earn an income) but also in the creative arts (Bachelor of Arts, Hons 1, majors in Drama and Screen.). I have also done a couple of art units here and there. What I have learnt is that there is no such thing as inspiration. First comes perspiration, and that can lead to inspiration.
I also learnt in drama to improvise - we had lovely exercises such as "in pairs, rhyming couplets, 6 lines, two minutes and on stage..." You certainly just have to get on with it without too much thought ...and it really is amazing the ideas you can come up with. I frequently use this sort of technique when blogging...
Because...
There are times when I have no idea what to blog about, but I sit down and blog anyway. I find that this always works. I keep anchored to my themes of sewing /style or blog related activities - I don't deviate into talking about much else (occasionally I do) as then I lose the focus of the blog.
I don't have hard and fast rules - I improvise as I go along, but with a structure behind it. I find that rules tend to stifle ideas that float out. Any idea I have I jot down - I may or may not use them - but sometimes an idea leads to another idea that I will blog about.
Sometimes I have ideas that come in a rush - I just jot them down in my "not to be published blog" - if you look on my profile you will see a third blog, Sew Style Notebook. Some ideas are deleted, as they are too silly for words (pardon the pun).
I am quite lucky in that I have a mind that is always seeing ideas - I am sure quite a few of you are like that too - most sewers have lots of ideas, especially about what to make next...
And I never criticise myself for anything I've done - a blog is a work in both progress and process - a bit like life really. I do try to improve. For instance, I have never really thought about how to write a blog - and now I am starting to think about it, and trying to share my ideas with you. Over time, I will get better at this, and may one day have posts that can really help people develop their blog.
Well, that's it from me for today.
Take care, Sarah Liz :)
P.S - I'm still working on the Bloglovin problem - I did get an email from them, but the instructions did not work, so I have emailed them back again...! I didn't have any problem installing the stylethestashsewalong.blogspot Bloglovin button, so I am not sure what the glitch is here.
I have blog block all the time, but it is mainly due to me being lazy LOL I have two pieces of clothing to blog about, but just have not taken the time...
ReplyDeleteOh, I do love your honesty!! Although I doubt you are lazy, you do have quite a lot to do at your place :)
DeleteI too suffer from writers block. There is lots I think I could talk about, but quite frankly it might bore you all to tears and I talk myself out of writing it down. I'm quite shy and not over confident. I thought blogging might have bought me more out of my shell. Its a long journey:-)
ReplyDeleteI suspect a lot of bloggers might be shy - blogging and sewing are not the sort of things a confident party person might do! It does take time to overcome shyness and social anxiety - just keep being aware of it and working on it, and mix with people who accept you. Some of us need our shells and space more than others.
DeleteIf I think of blogging as a simple conversation, then writer's block doesn't seem to creep in. I am trying to write as if I were talking to someone in front of me and not be too formal.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good way of approaching blogging L.
DeleteI don't have writers block, I always have something I can rattle on about, but since my blog is fairly small I feel like I might be talking to myself sometimes.
ReplyDeleteHi Shawnta - yes some days are like that in the real world too :)
DeleteI've been there. Sometimes I have no idea what to blog about and other times I have tons of ideas. I write the ideas down as blog titles and keep them in draft mode until I can get to them. Also, when I sew, my mind wonders and I find myself wondering about something that I want to know more about (usually sewing related) and I look into it and use it as a blog post.
ReplyDeleteThat approach seems to work for a lot of people, jotting ideas down for later. I find my mind stays quite focused when sewing - as a distraction from everyday worries. It's interesting that it frees your mind up a bit...
DeleteI let myself stay quiet when I feel as though I have nothing to say. My blogging is very pleasurable and I don't seem to have a timetable for it. Occasionally I will get stuck with construction of an blog and that is usually because I'm still mulling something over. Oh, and I have posts which are just reporting...and others which are more considered.
ReplyDeleteYes, sometimes quiets days are needed, with blogging and in real life. I think we can all get stuck occasionally, but as you say, it's all part of the process.
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