That is really impressive! It often takes me MONTHS to figure out what to write about and get an outline together (mostly in my head while running errands with baby in tow). More than half the time, the writing doesn't get done - a situation that predates the baby by a long shot!
Congrats on setting a goal and achieving it - I'll take a few "can't write, can't type, can't think" posts in exchange for the exercise of forcing yourself to go through the process!
The thing that made it easier to stick to it was knowing that I had a goal. I knew I needed to write a certain number of posts in a certain amount of time. And once I started getting sponsors, it really made me accountable and I wanted to do what I could to help the READ Foundation.
You are so organized even on the fly of a blogathon. Wow!
August 5, 2009 at 1:53 PM
I recently participated in something called a blogathon. I posted on my blog, Jump off the Bridge, every 30 minutes for 24 hours. I did not do this because I'm crazy -- I did it to raise money for the READ Foundation, an organization that uses teen tutors to help young children learn how to read.
I've had some time to reflect on my experience, and realize that I've learned some things. 1) Coffee is my friend and staying up for 24 hours without drinking any was the dumbest idea ever. 2) Stretching can make me feel instantly better. 3) You can never be too prepared -- an outline can never have too much detail. 4) I really love writing.
I was having a dry spell on my blog when I signed up for the blogathon. I was posting once or twice a week, making excuses for not writing: no good material, no time, no confidence in writing ability, etc. So I looked at it as a way to raise money and awareness for literacy, but also as a writing exercise. I suddenly had to ignore my excuses and write 49 posts in 24 hours!
When I decided to participate, I started a list of things to write about, with rough outlines of what I wanted to say and links to include. Throughout the course of the 24 hours, I strayed from my outline at times and had several "can't write, can't type, can't think" posts. But for the most part, I had a lot of substance as well and, most importantly, I was able to finish.
Since then, I've realized that I need to stop making excuses and write what I can, when I can. If I only have time for a short post, I'll do that. If I want to share something with little commentary, I'll do that. I really love writing and it's something I want to get better at. There's no way I can do that if I sit back and let the world pass me by without documenting it.
"Finding the Write Time"
3 Comments -
That is really impressive! It often takes me MONTHS to figure out what to write about and get an outline together (mostly in my head while running errands with baby in tow). More than half the time, the writing doesn't get done - a situation that predates the baby by a long shot!
Congrats on setting a goal and achieving it - I'll take a few "can't write, can't type, can't think" posts in exchange for the exercise of forcing yourself to go through the process!
August 4, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Thanks! I hope you read some of the posts.
The thing that made it easier to stick to it was knowing that I had a goal. I knew I needed to write a certain number of posts in a certain amount of time. And once I started getting sponsors, it really made me accountable and I wanted to do what I could to help the READ Foundation.
August 5, 2009 at 9:48 AM
You are so organized even on the fly of a blogathon. Wow!
August 5, 2009 at 1:53 PM