2000 Makes A Cliche
Yes, the topic itself is cliche. Every blogger at some point or another, writes a blog about writing a blog. Why? Because damnit, it's not as easy as it looks!
Sure, if you fancy yourself a good writer, the words will flow out like water from a faucet as you race to keep your fingers moving as fast as they can over the keys of your keyboard in order to keep up with your ideas lest your lose the train of thought. However, getting to that point is not always easy.
First, you need a topic to write about. This can be somewhat of a struggle after you've written twenty, I can only imagine what it must be like for those who have written hundreds of posts. After a while, you start to feel like you are reaching. Struggling to find any topic to write about that you can put your own twist on, add your own flavour and perspective to.
Then, even if you do find some topics because let's face it, there's always something to write about even if you don't know it yet, you still have to be in the right mood, have the right level of passion about the topic, for your post to have any weight.
Think back to high school, was it easier to write essays about something you actually cared about, or something you were being forced to write about that you couldn't give two rat bottoms about?
Words flow better when you actually care, when you have a point you are trying to make about a topic that you have a particular emotion about other than numb boredom.
Okay, so you found a topic you want to write about and you are in the mood to write it, but where in life is there actually time to sit down and write a blog? Yes, some weeks are better than others. Yes, maybe you have a steady schedule.. OR you're a part timer like me who keeps very busy with side jobs, birthdays, weddings, family needs, friend needs, volunteering, using whatever spare time you may have to fit in chores and unpack from a move, etc. It's all good to say you will sit down and write every Sunday but, life happens. So, Wednesday rolls around, your post is supposed to be scheduled for midnight, and you find yourself scurrying to find a topic and write it out.
So, you've written your blog. You've put it out into the world. A small part of your creative mind and soul are exposed to the critiques of the world wide web. Will they like it? Will they hate it? Even if you get views, you have no way of knowing their thoughts if they are not commenting.
On the flip side, if you've got high views and people like your writing, will the next post you write be the one that doesn't meet their expectations?
I imagine these sentiments are ones felt by any person putting their work out there to be seen. How many writers and authors go years with hidden notebooks and sketchbooks fearful that their creations will be judged poorly? How many musicians, lyricists, and DJ's walking around hoping to catch some feedback letting them know they are doing a good job, hoping they won't hear anything negative? How many woodworkers and blacksmiths play their creations off like 'nothing big' because, if they treat it like it isn't much, than maybe it won't hurt as much when someone else doesn't notice all of the work that went into that one little piece?
This doesn't just extend to the world of leisure and hobbies either. What about work professionals writing a proposal or pitching an idea? Waiting for a colleague or superior to finish reading or viewing and idea, waiting for some kind of break in the silence, silently praying for good feedback.
I've mentioned in a previous blog that we can't allow our creative insecurities to hold us back because we are our own worst enemies, because we are our toughest critics. However, that doesn't mean that the fear and doubt doesn't go away once we are finally able to put our stuff out there. It just means we didn't let it stop us from trying.
Can you think of some aspect of your creative or professional life that is harder than it looks? That leaves you struggling for ideas or waiting for someone to pass judgement? Do you have yet to push past the fear to put yourself out there?
First, you need a topic to write about. This can be somewhat of a struggle after you've written twenty, I can only imagine what it must be like for those who have written hundreds of posts. After a while, you start to feel like you are reaching. Struggling to find any topic to write about that you can put your own twist on, add your own flavour and perspective to.
Then, even if you do find some topics because let's face it, there's always something to write about even if you don't know it yet, you still have to be in the right mood, have the right level of passion about the topic, for your post to have any weight.
Think back to high school, was it easier to write essays about something you actually cared about, or something you were being forced to write about that you couldn't give two rat bottoms about?
Words flow better when you actually care, when you have a point you are trying to make about a topic that you have a particular emotion about other than numb boredom.
Okay, so you found a topic you want to write about and you are in the mood to write it, but where in life is there actually time to sit down and write a blog? Yes, some weeks are better than others. Yes, maybe you have a steady schedule.. OR you're a part timer like me who keeps very busy with side jobs, birthdays, weddings, family needs, friend needs, volunteering, using whatever spare time you may have to fit in chores and unpack from a move, etc. It's all good to say you will sit down and write every Sunday but, life happens. So, Wednesday rolls around, your post is supposed to be scheduled for midnight, and you find yourself scurrying to find a topic and write it out.
So, you've written your blog. You've put it out into the world. A small part of your creative mind and soul are exposed to the critiques of the world wide web. Will they like it? Will they hate it? Even if you get views, you have no way of knowing their thoughts if they are not commenting.
On the flip side, if you've got high views and people like your writing, will the next post you write be the one that doesn't meet their expectations?
I imagine these sentiments are ones felt by any person putting their work out there to be seen. How many writers and authors go years with hidden notebooks and sketchbooks fearful that their creations will be judged poorly? How many musicians, lyricists, and DJ's walking around hoping to catch some feedback letting them know they are doing a good job, hoping they won't hear anything negative? How many woodworkers and blacksmiths play their creations off like 'nothing big' because, if they treat it like it isn't much, than maybe it won't hurt as much when someone else doesn't notice all of the work that went into that one little piece?
This doesn't just extend to the world of leisure and hobbies either. What about work professionals writing a proposal or pitching an idea? Waiting for a colleague or superior to finish reading or viewing and idea, waiting for some kind of break in the silence, silently praying for good feedback.
I've mentioned in a previous blog that we can't allow our creative insecurities to hold us back because we are our own worst enemies, because we are our toughest critics. However, that doesn't mean that the fear and doubt doesn't go away once we are finally able to put our stuff out there. It just means we didn't let it stop us from trying.
Can you think of some aspect of your creative or professional life that is harder than it looks? That leaves you struggling for ideas or waiting for someone to pass judgement? Do you have yet to push past the fear to put yourself out there?
This week, I invite you to share your struggles as well as your success stories in the comments below. As always, those who do not have a gmail account for posting comments can email their comments to thebrastreetrambler@gmail.com along with whichever name or pseudonym they would like used.
Don't forget! The Bra Street Rambler can also be liked and followed on Facebook and Twitter, show the bra some love!
~*Celebratory Message*~
The Bra Street Rambler has now exceeded 2000 page views across a span of over 20 countries!
Thank you so very much to everyone who takes the time to read my rantings, share them with friends, and show their support.
To those bros and bras, you rock!
Cheers!
The Bra Street Rambler
~*Celebratory Message*~
The Bra Street Rambler has now exceeded 2000 page views across a span of over 20 countries!
Thank you so very much to everyone who takes the time to read my rantings, share them with friends, and show their support.
To those bros and bras, you rock!
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