What Will I Write Next?
When we are down with stimulation or inspiration to write, we somehow strive to boost it by watching TV, being with loved ones, friends, environment, pets, hobbies, etc., etc., etc.
Some great writers in the past get stimulation from unorthodox measures. Edgar Allan Poe can’t write without getting drunk. Nostradamus can’t get his visions clear enough to interpret and write without sniffing burnt herbs from a bowl. These are some means to keep the juices flowing for these guys who have been catapulted to greatness due to the importance of their work. And what inspired and/or stimulated them fueled their machineries.
As for me, the best stimulant is perhaps good music. I can’t seem to get my tempo and momentum if I’m not listening to beats like those of Carlos Santana’s music. Rugged, rustic, slow rock music makes me feel like an Energizer bunny. But this is not always the case. At times when I bloghop, I see inspiring things to write about. Other people’s ideas can also be stimulating. Their fiddling with their cars, the way they make jokes about their foolishness, their faith in God, among many other things, can be inspirational. If you feel like you’re running out of ideas to write, either for your blog or something else, why don’t you first try to look for what stimulates or inspires you? Look around. The source of inspiration may just be under your nose. You know why? At times we overlook the comments in our blogs. Yes, that’s right. Comments from readers can inspire us too.
But let me share with you some simple approaches I follow when I write something:
- Manage Your Time. Don’t write everyday if your time will not allow it. Forcing yourself to write everyday will make matters worse. This is because there is a high tendency that you will lose focus. Try to manage your time in a manner that it will not affect your efficiency in other areas of living. If you have a day job as a banker, it’s probably not wise to write about your next blog post while a hundred people are in queue waiting for you to process their transactions. There is always a time for everything. Find your comfort zone. If you can only write once a week, so be it. Increasing the number of posts per week or month can be beneficial though. As a blogger, this is a good way to say to your readers that you have something new to offer. However, if you’re online but have nothing to write or cannot think of anything to write, then you can always socialize or bloghop until you can come up with something to discuss. Ironically, at times an idea can spark spontaneously that you may find yourself writing even without a plan.
- Know your topic. It’s always better to know your topic before writing about it. You must at least provide a brief description, reaction or analysis on a subject you want to write about (whether it be problems, personal experiences, friends, pets, hobbies and the like).
- Set Your Objective/s. As a writer, do have in mind the purpose/s of your write-ups. Is it to educate, entertain or inform? These are basic purposes that you should consider when writing. The style of writing that you wish to employ is all up to you. Do you like it simple, polite, sarcastic or flamboyant? Whatever is your style, don’t worry about what others will say about it. That’s your style, your character, your unique trait as a writer. This holds especially true to blogging since anyone who can literally read and write can blog. The writing styles of some bloggers cannot be clearly identified but still, they can still enjoy a high level of acceptance. Blogging is a no-holds-barred arena for everyone who can write. You can address anyone you want and write about anything you want so I think, style is not really a problem. The only problem is if the blogger’s objective/s is/are fulfilled after readers have read the article.
- Write With Passion. Whatever is your subject, you can always make it interesting if you can effectively demonstrate passion in your write-ups. If others won’t appreciate what you wrote or how you wrote it, don’t worry. Other people’s judgment is subjective. Someone else’s suicide bomber can always be another man’s hero. You can’t please everyone. The more you try to please everyone, the more you’ll please no one. Don’t try too hard to please your audience for as long as you have tried enough to show them that you’re passionate about what you write. Readers can assess your work and you somehow cannot hide it from them if you’re writing for money (like paid ads) or you’re truly passionate about your topic.
- Be Confident. Always show confidence in writing. Confidence doesn’t mean you have to claim you’re a “guru” in something. Well, if you really are, then that’s fine. However, those who can really write and have achieved so much are those who can be firm and humble at the same time. Show a strong belief in what you write but leave some margin of error. You can be firm and confident without losing sight of the possibility that you could be wrong in what you have written. Nobody’s perfect. But showing a low level of confidence in your article will not make the article better. Don’t be afraid to voice out your thoughts but learn how and when to stop. For a blogger, there is virtually an infinite number of topics you can write. The possibilities are endless. So write about something that you’re really comfortable with. However, if your only objective is to add to the number of posts in your blog, that is your prerogative. In that case, a “filler” or two will surely come in handy. A tag/meme can be a good filler to break the ice. Also, they could relieve pressure on you to come up with serious write-ups at all times.
- Be Polite. Readers usually love to read a polite article even if your views are totally different from their own. It costs no single penny to be polite. If you don’t feel like being one, you might as well pause for a while and re-evaluate your write-up. Try to put yourself in your readers’ shoes. Remember, you are a reader too.
- Take Time to Assess Your Work After Completion. Have you satisfied yourself as a writer? Do you think you have fulfilled your objectives? Have you edited your work before publishing it? These are some things that you may fail to notice especially when you lack focus. This is not uncommon to blogs. However, a post that is well-edited is a little bit better to read than those that are full of typographical and grammatical errors. It’s alright to edit your work even after publishing it. That’s the good thing about online articles; they can always be corrected at any time.
So, what will I write next? Maybe it’s time that I ask you that.
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Tags: Writing
I can manage my time well. I sure know what my topic would be. I set my objectives. I always write with passion. I try to be nice and polite at all times. I always re-assess my work countless times after completion. But I DONT have the confidence. I need moral boosters to re-assure me that my work is Ok for everyone to see. Sometimes, I let my boyfriend edit my work, haha (if he gets the chance) just to make sure that I was able to speak my mind well.
This is a very nice guide for all bloggers out there who are sometimes groping on what to write…
Scotty’s Princess’s last blog post..Always A Bridesmaid, Never A Bride
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@ Scotty’s Princess,
good for you you have a very handsome and loving boyfriend. however, it may take time for a writer/blogger to be good at writing. it really takes time and a lot of practice.
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I could manage all the 7 approaches before, but not now with the pressure of work and other stuffs. What matters most now is my time management, and with that in mind, I’m sure all the rest will be fulfilled. Very good insight, Jess.
Marlene’s last blog post..Hooked On Wordpress Tutorials
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@ Marlene
that’s very common among bloggers with jobs elsewhere. at any rate, don’t push yourself too hard to write if you don’t feel like writing. take your time.
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Jess, visit ko lang itong site mo.
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hmmm…i like this..this is great advice for writers like me..maybe writing is 50% talent/skill and 50% inspiration.
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@ RJ
yes, it’s true. to become a good writer, you should be inspired most of the time.
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Love this post. Lately di ko na alam ang isusulat ko..
so thank you.
Webster12’s last blog post..Let’s Speak English
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