May 30 2011
How to Conquer the Blank Page: 10 Tips That Really Work
Do you ever sit down and stare at a blank document on your screen?
You want to write a blog post. But your computer seems to have drawn you into a staring match … and it’s beating you.
Maybe you sit there for ages, struggling to get started. Maybe you give up, and your blog stays silent for another day.
I’ll let you into a secret: most writers and bloggers struggle just as much as you do. We all find it tough to get started. We all have to fight that blank page.
The good news is, there are plenty of ways to win that fight. Here’s how to conquer the blank page:
#1: Generate Ideas Separately From Writing
If you only do one thing on this list, do this one. Come up with your ideas before you sit down to write. You can set aside specific times to generate ideas or you can just jot them down in a notebook when they strike you – whatever you want.
When you sit down to write, you want to have an idea ready to work on. Otherwise, it’s like starting to make dinner without any clue about what you want to cook – how can you even begin?
#2: Start Off With Someone Else’s Words
Often, it’s hard to put the first words down onto that blank page. So start off with some ready-made words! Take a quote from a blog post that’s inspired you, or from a book that you’re reading. Copy it onto your page, and then start writing down your thoughts about it.
You might decide to leave the quote in at the end (make sure you attribute it, if so) or you might take it out.
#3: Write an Outline Before You Start
You can start writing without an outline … but chances are, you’ll get a couple of paragraphs into your post and realise you have no idea where you’re going next.
Outlines are great for several reasons:
- They often give you ready-made subheadings or list items for your post
- They let you see how far through the post you are – which is really motivating
- They help you to create a structured, coherent post that comes across well to readers
It takes just minutes to jot down a rough outline for your post, but doing so can save you hours of frustration.
#4: Mindmap Your Post
All writers work in different ways … and sometimes, different types of post will suit different planning techniques. If you’re struggling to come up with an outline, try mindmapping instead.
To create a mindmap, grab a piece of paper and write your blog post idea in the center. Start adding anything that’s connected to the idea – draw circles around each and connect any related thoughts with lines or arrows.
You can also use software to create mindmaps on your computer – there’s a list of some great mindmapping applications here.
#5: Set a Timer – and Write
Have you noticed that when you sit down to write a blog post, all sort of other activities suddenly look attractive? You might remember an email that you really should write, or a blog post that you wanted to read, or a phone call …
Instead of getting distracted, set a timer for just 30 minutes and write without stopping. No checking emails, no Twitter, no Facebook. You’ll be amazed how far you can get. (If you’re not convinced, read about Bamboo Forest’s experiences with timers, here.)
#6: Announce Your Upcoming Post on Twitter
Public accountability is a powerful thing. If you tell your Twitter (or Facebook) audience that you’re going to publish a blog post in an hour’s time, you’re going to be motivated to actually get it done!
If you’re writing a post that will be published the following day, or at some point in the future, then try using Twitter to stay on track by posting updates on your progress as you write.
#7: Start With a Question
The first few lines of a post are often the hardest to write. You obviously want to grab your readers’ attention, and introduce the topic. There are plenty of ways to do this, but an easy one if you’re stuck is to open your post with a question.
Good questions are ones which get the reader thinking, or which get them to say “yes, that’s me!” (Scroll up to the top of this post for an example…)
#8: Use a Prompt to Get You Going
Sometimes, you’ll find that none of your previously-thought-up ideas inspire you – or you’ll be out of ideas altogether. If that happens, a writing prompt is a great way to get going.
A prompt can be anything at all: a line from a song, an image, a question, or even a single word. You can find some sample writing prompts here – these are aimed primarily at fiction writers, but they might still spark off an idea for you.
#9: Read Your Recent Comments
When you’re not sure what to write, or what tone to strike, look at the comments on your blog. See what questions your readers are asking – could you address those in a post? What seems to have struck a chord with your audience – can you do more of the same?
If you don’t have any comments on your blog yet, try reading the comments on a bigger blog in your niche – these are a rich source of ideas.
#10: Write Your Post as an Email
When you’re struggling to get the words out, try this: write your post as if it’s an email to a friend. You might even want to open up a blank message in your email client and type the text of your post into that.
Most of us find it easy to write emails – they’re a chatty, friendly, informal form of writing. Just like blog posts, in fact! You might want to alter your post a bit when you’ve finished, or you might want to keep the email format and make it a letter to your readers.
Have you fought with the blank page recently, and won? Share your battle stories and your tactical tips here in the comments …
Ali Luke is a blogger, writer and writing coach. She’s just launched a new ecourse, Blog On, that’s designed to help bloggers beat the blank page – with step-by-step guidance, straightforward exercises, clear examples and an extra dose of motivation in the form of a prize draw at the end of the course. You can find out all about it here – but hurry, because registration’s only open until Friday 3rd June.
Original Post: How to Conquer the Blank Page: 10 Tips That Really Work
from Daily Blog Tips
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