Welcome Guest!
Search
My Sites
Navigation Links
Copyright
All music on benbarden.com is free to share for non-commercial use only. Please see the music pages for more information.
All other content: Copyright © 2009 Ben Barden.
All Rights Reserved.
5 ways to conquer writer's block
< Turning writer's block into an opportunity to excel | Getting over the hump |
1. Build on someone else's post.
If you've found a post that you like on another site, you could take your own thoughts and develop them into a new post.For instance, over at Lightening's Blogworld, there is a post about blogging statistics. After posting my thoughts in a comment, I'm now considering whether to write a post about statistics from what I said in my comment.
Link to the original post and ensure that the content of your post comes from you - don't just copy the original post. The author will appreciate the link and you'll be spreading the discussion further.
2. Look in your archives.
The amount you can do here depends on what you're writing about. Some content is timeless, but some may become irrelevant at some point in the future. That means you might want to revisit a previous post and include new ideas in a new post.List posts are ideal. For instance I have a list of reasons why I might not subscribe to a site. There are only five reasons, so I could potentially add five more.
3. Join a blogging forum.
I am currently a member of three blogging forums:Forums are a great way to interact with other bloggers in ways that you can't do on most blogs, such as the way anyone can start a topic. Joining an active forum allows you to find new sites while potentially getting more people to look at your own.
Don't join simply to advertise your site - blatant spamming is something to avoid. Make the effort to introduce yourself, post in some topics and get to know some of the other members, and you may find that they check out your site without you having to ask them to. Just make sure you include your site link in your signature and your profile. (How to do this may vary from one forum to the next - ask the forum admins if you need help.)
4. Join a new blogging network.
In December, I explained that you should only join blogging sites when the time is right for you. I started out by saying that I didn't want to join BlogCatalog simply because other people were telling me to. I wanted to make the most of the sites I had already joined first, then look at BlogCatalog later.Once I joined, I soon found that the site has a lot more to offer than I realised. I had planned to write a guide myself, but I asked a guest writer (Jason Boom) to do one for me. He explained how to use BlogCatalog to gain exposure.
Joining a blogging network can generate lots of content ideas as you find your way around and see what works for you. It can also get more people visiting your site.
5. Read and comment on other blogs.
In tip #1 I suggested that you could develop someone else's post with a follow-up or a spin-off, but I think this only scrapes the surface.When I'm out of ideas for new posts, reading other blogs can help to stimulate some new ideas. Reading is a really good way to take a break from writing, while commenting gets you thinking of things that aren't on your site.
Over to you...
Any further ideas on how to conquer writer's block?Related Content
Comments on 5 ways to conquer writer's block
Get off the computer, go outside - not outside the computer room... outside the building. Breathe air that hasn't been filtered through some man made contraption. Travel in any direction (foot power works well), just keep walking till you get a new idea. I do not promote driving and plotting the next adventure you're going to put your evil minions through.
If you can't get outside (due to sudden avalanche) take a shower. Make cookies for the kids, the nephew, the neighbours or anyone brave enough to try your baking. Draw something you can see outside (over the avalanche). Write a grocery list, go through the fridge, kitchen cupboards, bathroom, laundry room and see what you need to pick up.
Why is it that you know what I'm thinking before I can even admit it openly to myself?!
Great post. My favorite is to build on someone else's post. At first I was afraid that I would end up copying, but it turns out I can usually take it in another direction and come up with something totally original!
Mamflo: I liked your suggestions also. I come up with some of my best ideas in the shower!
Your posts on this topic couldn't have come at a better time... after coming back from my hiatus I find myself at a loss for topics. However, I am enjoying the 'freedom' because once my mind gets going... it doesn't stop - hence the hiatus in the first place!
I love, love, love Laura's suggestion of going outside and just generally living some good old 'real life' to get some inspiration :)
Aurelius - thanks! Welcome to my site. :)
Laura - great ideas. My wife and I have been aiming to do some walks with the dog, so maybe we'll try and do it when inspiration is running low.
Mamaflo - not sure. I guess I got lucky!
CFOtoGo - I agree, it can really work well once you get into the swing of that post. When I add comments to other people's posts, I often end up with more to say than I expected, and some of that could quite easily become a new post.
fragileheart - happy to help, I'll be interested to see what posts you come up with!
Thanks for the comments. :)
Great post. Thanks for the valuable information, tips and insights you have so provided here. Keep it up!