So…my blogging juices have been running low for a
while now. It’s not that I don’t have any ideas for posts…I just can’t find the energy to write them. It
takes me ten minutes to type up a satisfactory sentence, which stays
satisfactory for about five seconds before I delete it and start over.
Nothing sounds right; I can’t get into the flow at all.
Slogging through and writing anyway is probably the best
cure, and I try to…sort of. I also read, goof around on the internet, switch
gears to work on something else, come back, write another draft,
listen to music, take breaks on weekends, take breaks on weekdays, make lists,
cross things off lists, and try to get through the whole thing as quickly as
possible. When it comes to inspiration, I actually have a pretty predictable
pattern of highs and lows, and knowing that it will all eventually repeat
itself keeps me from going completely insane. Mostly.
Anyway, I'd love to know how you guys deal with blogger's
block. Drop me a note in the comments if you have any tips and/or survival
stories. (And despite all this, I've been having a fantastic spring break so
far, and I hope you are too!)
At least for me, I go through cycles of writing moods, so I don't always have the drive to write blog posts, either. :/ My general cure comes in a few modes. Usually I focus on what my blog's focus is, for starters, and see if that at all inspires me. Option two... Find something that makes me mad and then rant about it. They don't always get posted but the idea of writing something in a post-style format sometimes gets me going. And, lastly, if it's just an 'eh' time I sometimes fill out tags and awards, because they're easy to do and they characterize you as a blogger without taking too much of a toll on your soul. But that is just me. I hope you get back in the blogging spirit soon!
ReplyDeleteThese are some great suggestions! I go through cycles with my writing moods, too, and it's always great to know that other writers deal with exactly the same thing. Thanks for the encouragement!
DeleteHi, Alex!
ReplyDeleteI have the hardest time with this! I haven't been blogging for too long, but I have already had times when it is difficult to sit down and get my scattered thoughts on a post. It helps me to start writing posts with a paper and pencil. That way, when I get around to typing them, I already have a base to build on. It also helps me to sometimes take a break and look at some other blogs. I always feel inspired after reading a post by someone else, because I know if they can do it, then I can too. Sometimes all it takes is some time. If I start a post and don't feel like finishing, I usually let it sit for a day or so until I can organize my thoughts.
I hope it all works out for you, and have a great day!
-Bailey
Writing it out by hand first sounds like a great idea--I usually think better on paper, so I can't believe I haven't tried this before! Thanks for your suggestions, and I hope you have a great day too!
DeleteOh, I know what that's like! I always feel super accomplished when I have posts scheduled ahead of time, because it rarely happens. I agree with Heather's and Bailey's suggestions. But if you're really feeling burned out, it's totally fine to take a hiatus. Give yourself a break if you really need one, and give yourself to time to write the posts you want to write.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, when I'm really in the writing mood, I'll write as much as I can and get several posts scheduled. That way, if I just don't feel like writing more later, I'll already have a couple of posts to choose from!
Also, ask people to guest post! It's nice for you, because it gives you more time to think on what you want to write, and it helps them by promoting their own content.
Great advice, Ally--I tend to guilt trip myself so much when I'm not writing that I forget it's okay to take breaks. Writing as many posts as I can while I'm in the mood is also a really good idea (and one that I've never thought of before). Thank you!
DeleteI have a few safeguards in case of blogger's block, mainly by writing some posts in advance for use when I'm stressed out. But I think the most important thing is really to keep in mind WHY you blog, and for that, I find reconnecting with my audience, by reading their blogs and Twitter streams and such, the most effective.
ReplyDeleteBesides, they might have ideas that you can steal -- ahem, will inspire you.
I completely second Ally's recommendation of guest posts! These posts have been great in terms of diversifying what my posts consist of. Switching gears like you said definitely works too -- maybe try the music side of things and make a summer playlist like your spring one?
It's so easy to forget why I blog, and, especially when I run into blocks, it's hard to remember that the whole process is supposed to be fun. I've switched gears a bit (working on a short story instead of worrying about posts) and that's been really helpful. Thanks for the advice, Alyssa!
DeleteAgh, I hate bloggers block. IT IS THE WROST. Sometimes, to get through it, I like to do something radically different to my normal posts. I love blogging about books (that's my niche) but sometimes when i pop outside the box and do a life or photography post or something, I get inspired. ^_^ But taking a break altogether isn't a bad idea either! Often when I tell myself I'm NOT doing something....that's when I get ideas for it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!
Great ideas, Kate! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteFirst, I love the photo you used in this post! I get bloggers block pretty often. Once I don't post for a week or two, I'll forget about blogging entirely. Then I'll remember and feel so guilty that I can't think of anything to write. One thing that helps is coming up with 3 or 4 post ideas, then the next day write outlines for the 2 or 3 that sound the most interesting. Then the next day just force myself to pick an outline and write the post.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! It's so clean cut, yet very pretty!
~Sarah Faulkner
Inklined
Thanks, Sarah! I have forced myself to write another post, which will be going up later today. It's not perfect, but it's a start. Outlining your posts before writing them is something else I need to try. Thanks for stopping by--I love your blog, too!
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