I’ve had multiple people come to me in the past month asking my advice on blogging. And, here’s the main thing everyone seems to worry about: I have nothing to write about.
And, I say to them, sure you do. You have so much to write about, but you don’t realize you do.
Because, the mark of a good writer is not dependent on how much they have to write about. It’s dependent on the fact that you can take something so ordinary and make it interesting, entertaining, inspiring, thought-provoking, ALIVE.
Every day, Heather Armstrong of Dooce writes about her dogs, her family, and something stylish she has. She makes completely ordinary events, such as cooking edamame, into something hilarious. Sure, she’s an incredible writer and few will get to her blogging status, but she’s a great example of someone that morphs things most of us see as insignificant into an adventure.
Today, I was chatting online with my new friend Erica. As of late, she has been turned off of blogging because she didn’t know what to write about and she started talking about how it’s my fault. Chat here:
And, so she did. I think it’s pure blogging gold. It’s funny, interesting, and I’m not only saying that because I’m mentioned in it. The post is great because it’s how she is (when I chat with her I LOL) and she’s staying true to that.
Unless you are a very topical blogger, I believe you have the freedom to say what you want. And, the last reason you should not blog is because you think you have nothing to write about.
I feel like my entire life is a blog post. I want to write a blog right now about how I have some weird irrational fear of walking in on people in public restrooms, because I would be embarrassed. As if it wouldn’t be embarrassing for them. I mean, I’m sure that says something about my psyche, like I’m too worried about causing someone else inconvenience or making someone else awkward. And, all of a sudden, I’m my own therapist talking about seeing someone with their pants down and what that means about me. See, life. is. a. blog. post.
Or, how about earlier today when I peeped this man’s computer screen and he was staring a little too long at a picture of that vampire guy from Twilight that every teeny bopper is in love with. This man peeping the picture had to be 50+ and I found it extremely entertaining that he was checking out this picture. And, I could launch into the fascination older people have with younger generations and somehow spin that into what I would consider compelling content. All because some dude was looking at a famous vampire.
Great writing isn’t about having the best topics at your fingertips. That’s a perk. Challenge yourself to write even without direction or topic. Hell, you know of The Bloggess? She wrote a whole post about wolverines and people ate it up.
Believe me: you have tons to write about. Your life, in general, is your topic.
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Oh Jamie. You are my favorite part of the internet, lately. When we become famous millionaire e-geniuses we are going to look back on this day and laugh. Except we won’t actually laugh, we will IM each other smiley faces and LOLs and then blog about it.
Great post. I always say that you should write first, think later. If you over think and doubt yourself, you just end up stifling your thought process, and writer’s block is never a good thing. Write about anything, write about everything. You should see my Wordpress Dashboard. There are about 50 drafts of random ideas that (eventually) I plan on coming back to – some of them are half done, some of them are just notes on a topic.
Let your mind wander, let the ideas flow, write about things you are passionate about. The rest will fall into place!
Well, some of us have younger generations as offspring, and want to guide them right, and are fascinated by what they’re fascinated by. Some of us actually have some context for how the world is changing. I look forward to finding where you turn your shoulder to some wheel better connected, and find the joy in that! Passion; yes. Authenticity, superstar; screw that. Grow, kiddo, grow! You’re in some groove.
You give great advice! I agree with what Matt said too about writing first and thinking later. I find that the posts I think about too much don’t turn out as well as the ones that I write spur of the moment. However, a disclaimer: this mantra does not mean that you should write with complete reckless abandon. You don’t want to regret a post later.
Really great writers, with lots of experience, can just dash off the odd post or essay. Read Dooce’s archives–she didn’t always write so well. Rough drafts are your friends.
You are awesome.
WOLVERINES!
I think blogging should be whatever you want it to be. Who is going to tell you it should be something different, I mean it’s a form of expression.
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Kaylee
http://grillsblog.com