I was checking out the internet for ideas for today’s post and I saw sites that made me want to scrub my eyeballs afterwards, numerous cats with improbable musical ability, a huge amount of Atheist/Theist debating and an article that had me saying “Finally science is investigating the things that matter!” but still no joy, nothing inspired me.
So here I am writing a post about how hard it can be hard to come up with posts.
I googled this type of writer’s block and most of the advice seems to centre around people who write their own blog as opposed to me who occasionally authors a piece about Good Friday or TV vs Gaming. That lead me to the conclusion that the “you’re putting yourself under too much pressure” or “you have exhausted your subject matter” style advice does not apply to me. I am a by the seat of my pants blog writer, I don’t usually have a post ready in advance unless I’ve already sent one off to Smoph and a more topical post is submitted in the mean time and I don’t think much about it from day to day. I’m content to play a role as occasional space filler between movie title game posts (FTW) and interesting debates involving bacon or space.
For me I think the difficulty is the idea that I’ll bore you that you’ll look at the title and think “Oh great another boring self reflection piece from Bec” or something similar, so I dismiss most of my ideas before they make it to the draft stage let alone actually form a post. The upshot of this is that in an effort to not be boring I end up producing nothing which is a hell of a lot more likely to be boring than almost anything I might choose to write about.
The longer I think about it the harder it gets and eventually I end up pulling an incident from my life and build something around it, I do a bit of reading on the subject and try to get most of the letters in the right order before I send it off. It works but it can sometimes feel forced and I know that it is not my best work.
I’m not fishing for compliments or constructive criticism of my blog writing skills, I’m happy enough with my output often enough to not be in need of any extra validation. That is not today’s point. In fact I’m not sure I have a point but it would be interesting to hear from everyone else about their experiences with writing, not just blogs. To hear about what happens and what you do when it gets difficult to produce something.
Can you only write when the muse stirs you or can pump out a couple hundred words on demand?
I can pump out a couple of hundred words on demand on almost any topic. That doesn’t mean it will be interesting. I am far happier writing about something that has piqued my interest or tickled my sense of humour. Of late I have been having trouble finding anything I wanted to write about and have churned out a few very ordinary pieces when the schedule has needed filling rather than when I have had an idea I liked (hint – more contributors would be very nice) and that tends to show I think.
Seeing a headline like ‘Scientists capture vagina alive and well’ is the sort of thing that makes me jump to the conclusion that escaped clitorides must be involved and then a post is, of course, inevitable. The inspiration of late has been often lacking. Lack of time and sleep deprivation are major factors there, as I read less widely lately than I normally would. I also find the sleep deprivation has stuffed y memory and so if I have an idea that has been kicking around for a while I have trouble remembering if it is a new idea or something I’ve already done. Given the amazing memory of many Splatters I never feel that I can successfully recycle material so when in doubt I leave it out.
I think the trick is to find a topic that really does interest you, because of the humour, or it’s just amazing, or you really want to know what the rest of us think. That’s the really hard bit. Don’t worry about being boring; I think if the topic really interests you that will show through and the Splatters are in it as much for the comments and the fun that can go on there as for the original post.
PP started a writer’s group to get critiques of stories. There are a few of us happy to look at posts first if the writers aren’t too sure of themselves but I think the main thing here is to get a discussion going rather than to write the perfect piece.
Oh well, I could go on, but I’m late for work now. I don’t type so fast.
Good piece Bec.
On this topic – guys and gals, go back and count how many posts lately have come from Smoph or AL. That’s not because they are hogging the limelight, it’s becasue they have had to fill the gaps in the schedule. Don’t be shy, if you have an idea for a piece, throw it in. Get someone to look at at first if you’re not sure, but throw it in.
I just wanted to rehash various bits of H’s comment and subsequently claim them as my own (Known in writing circles as ‘Research’ if I mention his name, but we don’t use the ‘P’ word).
I kicked off the crit group for several reasons. Partially because I wanted some people who wouldn’t get annoyed when I kept shooting stories at them for opinions to arrest my self-doubt (Online crit groups are pretty regular and have a bunch of conditions – I wanted something more casual where people wouldn’t get booted), and partially because various Splatters have revealed a writing spark or an interest in developing one and a benign and honest test forum is a rarity nowadays.
To date, it’s been a quiet (and nicely casual except when word flensing is required) endeavour, but if anyone wanted to road test a post (or even an idea for one) I’m sure there would be few objections.
I tend to find inspiration either in the dark recesses of my mind or the dark recesses of a news page, although sometimes it’s just a random comment from someone that sparks off a torrent of words once I start to tease it out.
some really good points H.
Al will tell you this happens to me almost daily.
Of late, I haven’t had the time to sit and write.
Sometimes, I email myself at home from work. Just little topics or articles that come up here and there and I figure I might play around with that later.
Or I may just jump on the internet and go for a wander to see what jumps out at me.
Points of interest evolve in to ideas. Then evolve in to posts.
Sometimes, I have had 4 different points of interest waiting for me to delve in and flesh them out. Or 3 posts in draft waiting for an opportunity to go live.
Of late, the points of interest that are catching my attention are either ones that we have covered before, or I just don’t get the time to sit and work on them.
And today, being crazy with 4 hours of meetings, that is all I have time to say for now.
A thought occurs to me for any and all wordsmiths out there (and that’s most of you whether you know it or not). If you check the hashtag #FridayFlash on Twitter you’ll be directed to squillions of (usually) wonderful examples of flash fiction. The theory is that on a Friday you post a story of no more than 500-1000 words really just for the sake of it.
I have some writerly friends who put the request out for a topic or scene or object (Like on Who’s Line is it Anyway?) and then they come up with a story based around that. I reckon it might be a bit of fun for anyone who wanted to have a crack.
Hmmm…maybe I could flesh that out into some sort of post…
I’ve often wished I had more imagination. If someone starts me off with an idea, quite often I can run with it and write something. But I rarely get an original idea of my own. I’m much better at adapting than creating, and I do wish I was more creative.
Sadly, these days most of my writing, other than on here, is for work. So I can write full reports on Capital Gains Tax Small Business Concessions, or the GST Margin Scheme, or whatever else a client or partner needs, but it’s not exactly rivetting reading! Or writing for that matter, it can get quite technical at times.
I have full admiration for people who can write well, and I’m glad to know quite a few of those types on here! I will be interested to read how you all get your ideas and whether writing comes easily to you or if you really have to work at it…
Yeah I’m an excellent bullshitter when it comes to having an opinion
But like most I guess, time poor.
How about people throw up a few ideas of topics maybe and I’m happy to have a shot at a blog post? I often contribute to sites like Mamamia when I get bored with my work or need a mental break.
How do we go about submitting, I guess I should ask?
Great idea!
Any thoughts people have could be used by other splatters as a starting point.
How about the seeming obsession the internet has at the moment for debating religion, it seems more intense at the moment than it was about 3/6 months ago. What do people think the reason is?
I think all you need to do is email Smoph to get started but there are also options for access as an author if you want to post regular pieces.
This!
Emails me at smoph at splaton . com!
Did anyone watch the 60 minutes story on selective reduction? Brings up some really interesting points. Not sure if that is too controversial for here though.
No I didn’t. I will have to waste time on that later.
I don’t think anything is too controversial for here. Seriously. The more controversial and polarising the better IMO.
Okay well put me down for a post on this, powers that be.
I don’t watch 60 minutes but that it an interesting topic…. I might do some research.
Most of my writing (by volume) is training manuals and managerial reports and those I find easy. Less easy are the things that require me to have an idea and develop it without the structure and rules of a report or manual.
Today is reporting writing day
I’ll come back later and see what other people had to say.
There are probably half a dozen potential posts in here about self image, racial characteristics, unhealthy obsessions, what’s truly desirable or a slew of other things, but I’m not going to write them. I just wanted to share.
OMG!! I won’t ask how you found that one!!
Perhaps they were with the escaped clitorides?!
As a side note, I’ve personally NEVER thought that about yours or any posts here.
But I know I’ve been guilty of putting up one or two posts that I’ve really not been happy with, and have done them simply as space fillers. In my defense, it was done to take some of the pressure off our wonderful Editor.
Have to agree with this. There have been and will continue to be posts where I don’t have much to say but that’s never been because I think they’re boring.
And I will third. I have never thought that about your posts.
Sometimes, I will write a post about something I am passionate about. Most of my inspirations come from news or the goings-on around me.
I often don’t know where to find the line of saying too much so no one has anything to say, or saying not enough or nothing interesting. I tend to look at many things from all angles, so my writing tends to follow my topsy turvy line of thought.
Sometimes, they aren’t up to my best standard I will confess. It can be a case of “Oh crud, it’s 11, and I have no post”, and sometimes Al rescues me from this.
Inspiration is a funny thing. Ironically, a few randoms responded to a tweet I wrote about my muse being a night owl, and one said that she’s fickle when we chain her, and meant that any time you’re using your muse you’re restricting them. When I am feeling the lack, this thought gives me a little grin.
I did read an interesting passage about this once. In Greek mythology, the muse comes and visits the artist whilst they’re painting, or writing, or composing.
The point being is that the artist is actually doing the thing BEFORE the muse visists. She never seems to turn up whilst they’re watching TV or doing the dishes. So sit down and start writing!!!
As another thought, I want to say a really big thank you to everyone who contributes.
Every different perspective gives us something to think about. I love how we discuss everything open-mindedly.
Usually for me, something strikes my interest and I write about it and not the other way around. I’m not so good at writing on demand, though I can manage it sometimes. The shorter the peice I need to write the better.
Though my love of Avengers and Castle is evident to anyone who reads my personal blog. Inspiration definitely struck there.