Blogging Basic – You Must Write!
Challenges
Sometimes it’s a challenge to write!
Writing posts for any blog consistently is challenging. As writers, there are many challenges, e.g., new technology, deadlines and copyright infringement (see Blogging Basics – Is Copyright Important?). One of the biggest challenges that any writer can face is themselves. We can become our own best friend or our greatest enemy.
It is easy for anyone to begin a journey into blogging. It is far harder to realize we are all human and sometimes that the life around us takes precedence. Even with our best efforts bloggers have no control over life itself. I started my blog because I enjoyed doing it. I write from the heart and about things I have experienced or understand. Unfortunately, life seriously kicked me around over the last several months.
Self-pity or Write
As a general rule, I try to post a minimum of 4 times a week. The more complicated my life became the less I would post. It got to the point, I was lucky if I could write one post every two weeks. It became harder to write anything that I felt had meaning or value. I felt I had lost my voice and suffered from a case of “self-pity.“
As the new year began I was having serious doubts about myself and my abilities. It was easier to feel sorry for myself than it was to find a solution to the problem. I couldn’t seem to grasp that the problem was me. It wasn’t until I became proactive that I began to see a solution to the problem.
1. Write - You have to understand that you can’t blog if you don’t write. Writing is the most basic fundamental for a blogger. I have begun to write about a variety of subjects. It doesn’t matter if I ever publish any of them. What does matter is getting back into the habit of writing daily.
2. Dedication - Time management is a big part of blogging. It is easy to begin to tell yourself that, “I will write about this later” but the problem is later might not come. If I procrastinate on a subject or an idea it is more likely that I will never write about that subject. I have begun to dedicate some time in the evening and early morning to writing.
3. Friends - Isolating ourselves from others is never a good idea. It is surprising how much you can learn by talking to other writers (bloggers) about what’s going on in your life. Talking to friends helped me to understand that we all have challenges at various times. It was through friends and their encouragement that I found my voice again.
4. Proactive - Life happens. If it wasn’t for the different events in our life we wouldn’t have anything to write about. When life starts to become more complicated try to become proactive in your thinking. It doesn’t matter if the events are positive or negative because everything can give us the opportunity to write about it.
5. Past - Reading your older posts can help you regain confidence in your abilities. The things we have written in the past can show us that we were able to communicate ideas effectively. Looking through your older posts might even help you to find a fresh idea on something you have already written.
Ownership is Hard
As a blogger, it is typical to feel overwhelmed at times. A goal of most bloggers is to own their own website. The one thing that many bloggers fail to realize is that owning your own website comes with huge responsibilities (and it has the possibility of great rewards). As the owner of a site you are responsible for more than just writing. You are responsible for the way your site looks, checking for updates and writing your posts.
Each of us write about our lives for various reasons. The recent events in my life helped me to understand that a writer (blogger) is a person that is willing to share information, stories or their life with others. It helped me to discover that we each work through our own personal issues so we can share with others and hopefully help someone else when they need it. Blogging is truly a “pay it forward” type of experience.
Writing about our lives on a daily basis can become difficult at times. Have you ever felt like you lost your voice? Do you have any secrets for staying focused on writing? Tell me in the comments!
Special Thanks
I would like to give a special thanks to three bloggers that continued to show support during the past few months and helped me to find my voice again.
Amberr - Like a Bump on a Blog
Andi-Roo – The World 4 Realz
Mary – Homeless Chronicles in Tampa
You can read my last post here: Is Time A Parents Enemy? If you like this post you can follow me on my facebook fan page, Dadblunders.
Tags: Blog, challenge, dedication, habit, self pity
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I find my desire to write waxes and wanes but I always come back to it. There will be times when I have a ton to say and others when i couldn’t write a post if my life depended on it. i think that is OK though.
I know for myself the more complicated my life became the less I felt I had to say. I would think it would be opposite and I would have had plenty to write about. It became easier not to write than it was actually to write. Writing is one of the things I actually enjoy and I think I started looking at it more like a job than something I enjoyed. Live and learn I guess….
Aaron
Self-pity had indeed been my enemy-number-one for me for a long time. Questions lingered in my mind on how ‘legitimate’ I was to write or share on topics that were inundated with real experts. It wasn’t until I decided that I was sharing my journey that it started to make sense that I was an expert in as much as no one else was privy to my perspective. Step 1… done.
Then came the more scary part. How would I consistently write the content I needed for my blog? I had set up myself the lofty idea of one blog-post per week. I was way off that mark come end of the year! However, I had learned a lot along the way. It is important to keep writing whether it is time to post or not. Not only does it keep me motivated, it improved my writing skills.
The other mistake many start-up bloggers make is to assume that blogging is similar to social media. It is not! It is a lot of work. I think the moment I personalized what I share on my blog, it became a little easier to write. In the process, my blogging helped to kick-start the writing of my first book soon to be published. This had been in the back burner for about 5 years!
My advise is to blog about something you are passionate about, and not blog just because it is ‘fashionable’. This is the only way you will be dedicated to take care of your ‘baby’ and share it with the world.
Kimunya,
Totally understand about “thinking” blogging is something similar to other social media. Nothing could be further from the truth. I didn’t come into it blind and did a lot of research before I started my blog. My main problem was trying to keep up with my life and everything that goes on in the blogging world. The more complicated life became the less I wanted to write about it. Looking back over the last several months I know I lost several “great” posts that I could have wrote….lol
Aaron
THIS: “Blogging is truly a “pay it forward” type of experience.” THIS is the phrase that struck gold with me. I had never looked at it that way. Mostly I’m just a firecracker exploding willy-nilly all over people regardless of the outcome. It would never have occurred to me that my explosions might actually impact people in a positive manner. HEY, thanks for THAT responsibility, lolz!
Seriously, though — a friend once described blogging as an ongoing conversation to which each writer contributes, which is why none of us can be an island unto ourselves. I think that goes hand-in-hand with your analysis herein. Glad I could help, my friend. You are not alone. Chin up & whatnot!
xoxo
Andi,
I know I had lost my voice and it still might be just a little shakier than normal. It wasn’t until I became proactive and wanted to know what the H.E. double hockey sticks was wrong with me that I figured it out. I can actually say it truly was all about me.
I was the problem (and in some ways I still am). I was smart enough to finally reach out to a few of you and ask for some advice. Advice I needed and if you didn’t get the message am very thankful for!!
I can tell you this post has received a lot of positive support and feedback through twitter too! You have helped inspire a lot of writers through your encouragement.
So….I guess I am going to give you the added responsibility of knowing your “pay it forward” is working! lol
Aaron
My current state of affairs resonates with this post. Unlike you, where life has forced you to mellow down on blogging, I was lazy, sheer laziness stopped me from writing.
“I’ll write that later”, I used to live and breathe that statement until recently. Lately I came across a post that told me how to shrug off my laziness and start writing and it worked, I started writing for my blog and it came out good.
Today I started writing the introduction for my ebook and just when I was getting back to my old ways, your post comes in as a timely savior.
I’m inspired to write again now and I cannot thank you enough for that. THANK YOU SO MUCH, AARON!!!
I hope you’re doing good now. Please keep writing because it inspires me!
Good luck and Be Chirpy!
Aditya
Aditya,
Thank you so much! I am glad that this message hit home to you!
It is so easy for our motto to become, “I’ll write that later.” Truthfully, the only person we are hurting when we start to live that motto is yourself. If we start to lose faith in our self or our abilities all is lost. The best thing you can ever do is just start writing again.
Aaron
I have started using writing prompts. I thought it was strange at first but you would be amazed at the things you can come up with when you force yourself to look at a specific topic. Great tips!
How does the writing prompts work? I am actually not familiar with it….I know that sometimes trying to force myself to look at a topic can become a challenge!!
Aaron
There are a bunch of great prompt sites. You just check the topics and I will guarantee you will think of at least one idea for a story. I don’t use them all the time. Only when I am slumping.
Thanks so much for the info! I am going to look into it the next time I need it!!
Aaron
Great post, buddy! I think, you rock…because writing a blog post 4-times a week is really tough for me…what do you think?
Keith,
It is challenging and “can be” a source of stress relief. I don’t think its any different though than someone that writes consistently for a living. They write articles for newspapers, magazine and such on a daily basis.
I think it’s about finding the dedication and the passion for something you loving doing (and always remembering that life happens and not to let it get you down).
Aaron
I’m so glad you are finding your writing voice again. Being in a rut or writing drought is scary, but you’ll be back to yourself soon enough. I’m already seeing the posts come out! Thanks for mentioning me as being helpful to you. You know you’re part of my “inner circle” and available any time (even if it might take a couple of days to get the email together). ooxx
Amberr,
I knew that when things weren’t getting any better and only worse to ask for help! It isn’t the easiest thing to do but it something we “try” to teach our children to do. I would be a hypocrite if I refused to do what I ask my son to do.
Aaron
P.S. You are more than welcome for the mention! You ROCK!
I honestly don’t know any bloggers who, if they’re being honest, wouldn’t say that they have experienced an urge to quit or questioned the value in the time they spend blogging. In the end, if you stick with it, I think you get little “carrots” along the way that remind you why you’re doing it. Good luck!
Kenna,
I agree! The more you stick with it the more easily you can see why you do it the first place. I know it’s because of the connections I make and I like to keep a record for my son. In the process, if I help a few people all the better. Thanks so much for your comments!
Aaron
I landed here from a tweet from Carolyn, @wonderoftech. I am a big fan of her writing, and she keeps amazing me with the breadth of topics that she covers on her blog.
One thing that also amazes me about you and Carolyn both is how much you care about people who read and comment. You respond to each and every comment. You guys take the engagement so serioulsly, and very few do that, really.
Just like the first lesson of love is to listen, the first lesson of blogging is observation. From the little browsing I did on your blog, I am happy I landed here.
Thank so much!
Carolyn is one of my favorite bloggers! I always enjoy reading her blog. You are 100% on the mark, like you, she amazes me with the breadth of topics she writes about.
It might be rare but I actually enjoy blogging and talking with others. As you read, I wrote this post because life had a way of kicking me around over the last couple of months. I am working hard to get back into a habit of doing what I do second best in my life: writing, sharing and helping others (husband and father will always be first).
As a social worker, stay-at-home dad, husband and blogger I know the value of being heard. It is only when we take the time to hear others that we learn. It is something that I value and want my son to value (hearing others as much as you want to be heard).
I won’t deny there are times I don’t get the opportunity to reply to a comment as quickly as I would like. As I noted being a stay-at-home dad will come first. However, I always take the time to respond to comments (and have been known to apologize for taking to long to get back to them). I want people to know I value their time and their opinions.
Aaron
Thank you very much, iRewardChart and Aaron. Your kind words mean a lot to me. I try very hard to make The Wonder of Tech the best it can be and I am very touched when I hear that I have made a difference.
iRewardChart, I am so glad you discovered Aaron’s blog. He is a true leader in his area and always writes on relevant topics for his readers. His warm and engaging style has earned him a well-deserved reputation as a quality blogger.
Carolyn,
You are more than welcome! You are much appreciated for all you do for the blogging community. It is other bloggers, like yourself, that make blogging a joy!
Aaron
Aaron, this is beautiful. I thank you so very much for the mention. I think so very highly of you and what you have accomplished and what you are trying to do. I really understand what it is to hit those walls and feel that you have no words. There are times when we all go through that. Dealing with a physical problem as well as the other things just makes it worse. I think that even on the days if you just sit and write some thing! Any thing! It’s a win. I was kind of goofing with Andi-Roo, but not really, last week, she had written 160 words, but wanted to write more, where as I had written none, I had played with the cat, or something, but honestly, until March? I’m not stressing. After my near melt-down in November, I said Nope…. I’m just going to basically sit it out and do a little… I was hating writing. I have ideas. I just get tremors and all sorts of nonsense. Now, I’m doing so much better, but I’m so tired… but, March is almost here! Yay!
But I am so happy you’re writing. Don’t think of it as self-pity either. We need those times to sort through stuff. Did you ever stop and think that, we have to balance out those times when we’re just on top of the world? I used to be a world-beater! I was going to tame lions! Or violas! Not even close… Being sad is a time of reflection, Aaron. It’s a time to really take stock. I think of those times as times for me to look at myself and still try to improve. At age 57. Yipes. Now, I’m babbling. Thanks, Aaron, again for the mention. I know Andi-Roo and Amberr are tickled! <3
Mary,
I am already with you counting down to March!
The times when we feel like we have no voice are the times we “probably” have the greatest voice. It’s the darn self-pity that gets in the way. If we could find a way to manipulate it quickly we would probably write our best pieces ever. I knew when the going got to tough it was time to start asking others for help (or at least some ideas and understanding). I appreciate all you have done in helping me.
Thank you my friend,
Aaron
Muna,
Thanks for stopping by!! I am glad you enjoyed it and hope you continue to stop by again.
Aaron
Hi Aaron, I think we bloggers all experience severe self-doubt at some points. We are putting ourselves out there with every post we publish. We subject ourselves to the public, spammers, trolls, critics and people who get their kicks by bringing others down to their level.
But you have also seen how the blogging community can rally around you, can support you and can be a source of strength. You have been very generous in supporting others in the blogging community, I’m glad your efforts have been rewarded.
For the past two years April has been my challenge. For some reason I feel as if I’m slogging through caramel sauce as I try to write posts in April. I have found that the best thing for me to do is sit at a keyboard and start typing a draft. What I think will be garbage usually doesn’t turn out half bad.
Next time you are struggling to write, just do it. Once you’re over that hurdle the rest may just start to flow!
Carolyn,
I know, for me, the harder life was….the harder it was for me to find value in anything I had to say. I am sure I missed some great opportunities to write about things that were happening in my life. Looking back now I know that it was all about me and my perception on myself. Silly as it was I just couldn’t get over the hurdle. Every time I thought I was going to something else would bring me down (such is life I guess)
I had several people e-mail me upon occasion and want to know if I was okay and want to know where my posts were. So, my rallying around others definitely paid back in full. Just like I noted in the post blogging is truly a “pay it forward” type of experience.
Aaron
You bring up a good point. You write a personal blog which is incredibly different from a niche blog such as The Wonder of Tech. I can see why whatever happens in your personal life might intensify your emotions surrounding your writing.
I don’t think your reaction was silly at all. Any writer understands what you faced. I’m just glad you’re back!
Carolyn,
It definitely does intensify your emotional response. It’s part of the reason I have slowly been branching out a little to go beyond just a personal blog (although there will always be personal information involved). I try to give ideas, suggestions and help on parenting based on social work and things I have had to use in the past with other parents when I was in the field full-time. I also have been slowly branching out into “some” blogging tips based on best practices and data that helps support it…..but overall I am still a personal blog with lots of fun and humor from a dads perspective.
Aaron