I have this thing about reading blogging how-to articles. Part of it is I have this morbid curiosity about what bullshit is being taught to the newbs among our bloggy ranks, and part of it is I’m secretly looking for the magic formula to wake up tomorrow and be the next Jenny Lawson (you know… The Bloggess).
But the reality is that most of those how-to articles don’t apply to me because I’m not really all that interested in selling out and I don’t really have an strong interest in one particular topic like nailpolish or organization skills that I can write about to no end.
And if I want to be Jenny Lawson when I grow up, I need to work on being funnier.
I thought it would be fun to tell you about my blog post writing process so you can either A. feel better about your blog post writing process because those how-tos don’t work for you either or B. cringe at my chaos.
I’m not a planner. I don’t sit down and make lists of what I want to write about and create deadlines of what I want to post when. I don’t make lists of goals for bloggy success. For me, that just sucks all the fun right out of blogging.
I do generally have a running mental list of things that I would like to write about at some point in the near future.
I sit down and write on evenings and weekends when the boy isn’t home. I need peace and quiet to be able to write or else my blog posts would be all like, “OHMAGOD! JAMES IS WATCHING TELEVISION AGAIN AND I FUCKING HATE THE NOISE IT MAKES! RAWR!”
Then I usually write about the first thing that floats to the top of my mind… and if something doesn’t, I start looking at other blogs to find something that will spark inspiration in me. That’s why I do so many damn writing prompt link-ups.
From there, several things could happen.
Option One: I could sit down, write a blog post and hit the submit button.
Option Two: I could sit down and start writing something and get halfway through or to the end or something, and then decide that I didn’t want to share that information after all. (I did that earlier tonight).
Option Three: I could sit down and start writing something and then lose interest half a paragraph in. Shiny things on the Internet are shiny.
When Option One is prevailing, things are smooth sailing in my world… When Option Two and Three keep happening, I tend to get a little frustrated. Lately, it’s been a lot of that.
Often times when I end up writing posts or portions of posts that I don’t feel ready to publish, they’re the tough, vulnerable posts where I feel hesitant to hit the submit button because I’m not sure I’m ready to reveal that part of myself because I’m afraid of being judged, or because being honest about that particular thing in that particular moment might have consequences, or I’m afraid my honesty about what I think might hurt somebody’s feelings.
I write and re-write posts that never see the light of day with stunning frequency. I used to think that was a bad thing and give myself shit for it, but I think there’s something to be said about holding back and waiting for the right words to come instead of forcing it.
Basically, the point I want to make is that there’s really no “right way” to do this whole blogging thing. Find the method that works for you, and stick to it… and don’t feel bad if your writing process doesn’t yield daily posts. Quality is more important than quantity, that’s really what brings people back.
Wouldn’t we all love to be the next Jenny Lawson? Her life is interesting to say the least.
Stephen Battey recently posted..I think I hate children right now.
I have to write when the boyfriends not home either!
Ashley Hufford recently posted..Memoir 101
Yeah, I can only work on blog stuff by myself. I usually save the writing/drawing for the weekends, and the reading for the week
Mayor Gia recently posted..Power Paranoia
I write just like you! I don’t plan out entries(though I want to eventually). Usually I just sit down and say “I’m going to write about this” and just do it. And if I happen to actually finish it without getting distracted by something along the way, I post it. But usually I scrap the entry all together because I’m just not feeling it lately. Which is probably why I haven’t posted much recently.
Madison recently posted..This Musical Will Change Your Life
I don’t ever read those “how-to” articles, because I know I won’t bother to follow their rules :-p I blog about whatever I feel like, although I do sometimes right a topic down so I don’t forget (doesn’t mean I’ll actually keep up with it, but increases the odds). If I’m really feeling just blank or unsure, I’ll do a challenge (like I am now) or I just step back and don’t post. I used to feel bad about this, but I’d rather have a quality post than spew out something insignificant for the sake of it.
Delightfully Awkward Brittany recently posted..10 Day Challenge: Day 8 Fears
I get most things (work, blogging, chores) done better/more quickly when the boy isn’t home, too. It’s just easier to hear the voice in my head (ha) when the house is nice and quiet.
I attempt to plan things out for my blog. Like, I have a monthly planner and everything, and things written in most days. My success rate for actually following that plan is probably about 50%. But I don’t sweat it too much, because hey it’s my space and I’m allowed to change my mind or occasionally be lazy or whatever.
I think a lot of bloggers fall into the trap of over-thinking everything related to their blog and over-worrying about whether a certain post will scare away readers, or that not posting often enough will scare away readers, and basically lots of reader-centric worries. And at the end of the day the blog is yours and about you and about things you find interesting. The reader is not in charge. It’s great that people stop by and read things you wrote and leave comments, but it’s not a democracy. The country of Your Blog is a dictatorship ruled by you. Do whatever the hell you want, however the hell you want.
Amanda recently posted..Tuesday Treasure Trove
Truthfully, I think that’s how most blogs are (and should be).
On average, I’ll type into Google two or three times per year the following: “Blog topics.” The same results always seem to appear in the search results. Blogs telling you what you should write about, how to dominate the SEO world and how to do it right.
I think, if you want to make it as a blogger, you need to be a how-to-blog blogger.
Instead, I’m kind of the same. I do keep a small notebook of ideas, mainly so I don’t forget them when they come to me. Alas, many times I tend to forget to write about those things anyway.
I love doing it the way I do, which is somewhat similar to your way. And I like it that way. No pressure or anything. Just tap away and blog.
P.J. recently posted..The Baseball Hall needs to shake up its election process
I’m right there with ya sister. I have a blogging “how to” but mine’s about setting one up, not about how to write it. It’s all about what you’re comfortable with. You kicked ass on this one.
❤ Julie Maloney ❤ (@Momspective) recently posted..How Tenacious D Saved My Marriage
Lol – this is pretty much exactly how I blog. I go through phases where I try to be the uber-organized, scheduled blogger, but that only lasts at most a month. Generally speaking though, I do also have a running list in my head of ideas, and then when I sit down to blog, it usually ends up just being about whatever topic that pops into my head. If I’m feeling particuarly author-ly that day, I’ll write several posts and post-date them for the following week. That way I can look organized and like I blogged all week, when in reality I’ve only had a really productive Saturday afternoon.
Jennifer M. recently posted..Snafu’s Mainly Resolved
Although I plan topics in advance, I don’t plan when I’m going to do them otherwise I always get behind and freak out. I like reading those posts also, not really sure why… there is just some allure to them. I don’t like the whole “find your niche” tip that everyone gives out tho, I like sharing everything I’m passionate about [hence my blog title]. It makes more sense for the blog to fit the person, and if you’re only about one thing you’re prolly not that interesting! lol
Linda recently posted..2013 Daily Planner
I WISH I had your blog writing style! I try to write out a post spontaneously and publish it within the hour, but I can’t seem to avoid my usual planning posts and working on drafts a little at a time.
Amie recently posted..St. Mark’s Place
this post is lovely. Just what I needed. I am like this too… Maybe a little worse
Zalika recently posted..This month I…