I have been editing my ms and also reading Line-by-Line so that when I've finished with content edit I can go through and do a technical edit. This is all contributing to make my writing as tight as it can be, but it also seems to be drying up my fount of creative inspiration. Every time I go to write a blog post, my brain starts screaming at me to check a million tiny things to make sure I'm not committing any egregious technical sins. Which would, no doubt, make my blog posts much better, but also happens to take more effort than I have to give to a blog. Shockingly lax, I know, but if I'm going to have a blog at all, it has to be (mostly) unedited, otherwise it is too much time away from story-writing and other life necessities, such as preparing food, folding laundry, making beds, and other tremendously exciting duties.
It doesn't help that I've been working to stave off a nasty cold since last weekend (I've drunk GALLONS of rosehip tea, which is one of the tastier ways of getting Vitamin C), and on Thursday Carl came home from work and said "We're going up to your parents' tomorrow for the weekend because I have bridge inspections in that and nearby counties!" So, less time for blogging, while at the same time my brain is singularly devoid of any interesting topics.
Which lets me put this back on you - what are topics you would like to see me cover on this blog? They can be writing or non, whichever interests you. Let me know in the comments, and hopefully some of them will stir my sluggish blogging brain into life!
Hi Louise,
ReplyDeleteI can identify. I'm in editing mode myself and sometimes it's tough to come up with the next blog post (and feel fresh).
I like reading writer-blogger's updates on where they are in their writing (such as WIP status) or what new experience has brought in useful info. Had I not read about firsthand experiences with writing critique groups, I might not have made finding one a priority. (And I'm so glad that I did!)
So that's my two cents. :) Hope it helps!
Interestingly enough, I am still struggling with trying to find a writing critique group - but I wouldn't have even thought of it as a necessity until reading more blogs! I've always thought of writing as such a lonely art, it never even occurred to me before blogging that it might help to expand my circle of editorial eyes. Thanks for the input!
DeleteYou need to do what I do in these situations, and just start rambling whatever crazy crap comes into your head (be sure to spend some time describing the dreams you have had in the past week and throw in at least one gratuitous Martin Freeman reference), and THEN conclude with "but I have no idea what to blog about next," and everyone will respond with "you should blog about whatever you feel like blogging about!" and then you'll say "but I just DID that and it was SILLY!" Except for the people who DO tell you something specific to blog about and you just end up ignoring them for several months at least.
ReplyDeleteOr you could write about music. I don't think I've seen you write much on music. I think you did once. My journaling prompt the other day was to Write the Playlist of Songs That Inspire You To Write, or Inspire Your Particular WIP. This led to me stopping writing and going to play the piano instead, but what.
I also like annotated lists. My Top Ten Books About Deep-Sea Diving, or something of that nature. Not necessarily Deep-Sea diving. Have you ever done a post on what you look for in movie adaptations of books beyond some references to specifics here and there?
Also, any time anyone gives me detailed descriptions of food? That's a good blog post. I still have your post about bread marked as unread in my Reader, mostly because I keep meaning to write the recipe down and forget to.
Or I'll give you back the one you gave me. What do you want to write? What's that story or theme or idea that just keeps gnawing at you?
I did wonder, as I wrote this post, if you would end up turning my own suggestion back on me. Good thing I didn't suggest you write about embarrassing circumstances or your worst childhood memory ...
DeleteI'll see if I can figure out some good Martin Freeman posts. I'm sure, come May and the return of Sherlock to the US, I'll have many things to say involving him.
Oh, that editing fairy hits me with blogging too, and sometimes I want to bash her over the head.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see you blog about random stuff in your life and how it pertains to writing. :)
My everyday life seems so very monotonous and dull these days - I think I've used up most of my ability to reference anything in it to writing. Maybe I'll have to try to skew my perspective again. Isn't that what we writers are supposed to do, anyway?
DeleteI can't think of any blog topics. But I'd love to see photos of bridges.
ReplyDeleteI ought to be able to comply with that request at least - I have some very nice pictures of an award-winning bridge my husband designed. :-)
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