I’m sitting here in New York City for a bonus night due to a missed flight, talking with my friend and business partner Antony about blogging and what it means to find your voice when it comes to blogging. I have my moments when I feel really strongly about a particular topic and I let it move me to the point of putting together a decent entry. Then there are those times when my analytical mind takes over like some mad editor from hell and starts tearing apart what it is I wrote. I hate those times and of late, I’ve been going through a tad too much self editing which has prevented me from finding my voice and blogging in general.
On the other hand is seems like Antony has found his voice quite nicely and so has my pal Brian. Luckily there are plenty of resources and inspiration out there to get me out of this rut. These people know what moves them and I truly respect that.
So what moves you? How do those of you how blog or write get past these points? I know that I’m not the only one going through this because a lot of other people that I know and respect greatly have recently been rather quiet.
3 responses so far ↓
Ryan Coleman // Nov 18, 2006 at 10:01 am
Know the feeling James. I went through a spell where I’d keep aborting on posts or over analyzing whether they were “Smart” enough/ on topic enough etc. - I found it tough with my blog initially as I tried to keep it focused on our niche market.
At some point about a few weeks ago I kind of had a “Screw it” moment and decided to post on whatever I was up to/thinking. Some of it is fluff, other stuff (I like to think) is more thought out but on the whole I enjoy blogging more (and a happy side effect is greater traffic).
As far as I can see you’ve got at least one good post in the bag already (Did you make the Techcrunch party/how was it? & Why didn’t you make the flight? - hmm maybe two posts
)
Antony // Nov 19, 2006 at 3:48 pm
I think Ryan’s right. You’ve got to let it hang out a little to see what works and what doesn’t. And there’s just no way to know without doing it.
For instance, I used to think I had all these clever things to say about other Internet businesses, but when I read them I realized that they were just nasty and often just sour grapes.
Now I find I am less judgmental, more insterested in what other people are doing, and much more likely to give them credit. So blogging not only helped my writing, it helped ME.
There’s also the fact that in many ways you haven’t really thought something unless you say it (or write it). Until then, it’s just some brain clouds mixed with brain farts.
Get it out into the world and let other people worry about whether it’s good or bad. Plus (as we have all read) quantity is important for a blog too.
Keep it up.
Brian // Nov 19, 2006 at 9:34 pm
I couldn’t agree with the previous comments more.
Blogging is new to me too and I think that you have to express yourself, good and bad, it doesn’t matter, that’s what blogging is all about, having an opinion.
I write some crap and then some stuff I feel really good about, surprising the bad stuff is not so bad (so I’ve been told).
The best thing you can do is KEEP WRITING, you’ll push through it and even impress yourself.
In the end, no one knows what works, just keep writing, you’ll feel better for doing it!
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