Just what the world needs, right?
Seriously, though, there are plenty of blog posts about writers block.
When you consider the blogging boom, there has been a huge increase in the number of people who have committed themselves to writing regularly. After the initial “this is awesome” feeling wears off, the hard part sets in. This is when most drop out of the race.
Blogging. Is. A. Marathon.
Maybe it shouldn’t be called “writer’s block,” perhaps it would be better to call it “bloggers block.” No matter what you call it, it’s whatever that “thing” is that’s keeping you from creating content.
For me, today, it’s about motivation. It’s fatigue. Marathon’s make you tired, after all. It requires conditioning, and there’s only way to become conditioned — running — and in this case of blogging — writing.
So today, blogging feels — “meh.”
So, how did I overcome it?
I haven’t.
Yet.
Let me tell you what I am doing to overcome it:
First, I found music that inspires me.
What music inspires you? What do you listen to that sparks your imagination?
I like Andrew Peterson. He’s a warrior poet and grand storyteller. When I listen to him, I am compelled to create.
Does it work every time?
No. But it’s a start.
Second, I turn to my fun blog.
At the beginning of the year I decided to jump start my personal blog and post every day. A blog that I could do what I wanted to do. Since I am a professional blogger (that sounds so weird), my content is dictated by the focus of the blog I’m writing for. From topics to formatting, it has already been decided. On my personal blog, I can do whatever the heck I want to!
So, the second thing I do, is post on my fun blog, or what I like to call, “My Sandbox Blog.”
Third, I force myself to write.
I’ve got the music moving. I’ve made all the blogging steps, from the title to hitting “publish,” on a blog post I did for the shear fun, and now it’s time to do some serious blogging!
So, what do I post about?
How to deal with bloggers’s block of course!
No matter what you blog about, you can always write about yourself. If you have a cooking blog, post about your own cooking experience. If you blog about books, share a personal story about books. Anything about books. Anything about cooking. Just make sure it’s about you.
The easiest thing you can write about is — you. No research or reading required. Plus, it gives your readers a little deeper insight into your ‘voice.’ It gives them an extra dimension — a little extra something between the lines.
Remember, blogging is a marathon. Every time you make it past your blogger’s block, you’re going to be that much stronger. You will have built up that much more stamina. That’s what will ultimately make you stand out from the rest of the blogosphere — stamina.
Will you last?
Now, if you’ve ever wanted to watch someone overcome blogger’s block, well, you just did.
Blog on.
[Image via e-magic, U.S. Army, Rick Harris & Chris]
Marcus Williamson says
Solid post. I think I go through blogger hibernation periods lol! I’m thinking of blogging like James White of Signalnoise or Brian Hoff of The Design Cubicle. Maybe. We shall see.
Eric Dye says
Thanks Marcus!
Tyler H says
Has there in the history of time been a post about writer’s block not caused by writer’s block? I’ve thought about writing about it only to hold myself back, knowing that there will be a future time when I will have worse writer’s block and then I won’t be able to write about it.
Eric Dye says
#inception