Spill It: How Do You Write?
This week, we start something new here at Fuel Your Blogging. It’s called: “Spill It!”. In short, “Spill It!” is a blogger’s discussion. We’ll be asking your opinion, thoughts, rants, raves, etc. on different topics. This brings us to this week’s “Spill It!”.
Everyone has their way of doing things. Each blogger has their own method of writing. Some people make outlines, others like to warm-up with ten minutes of free writing, and others rock out to AC/DC to write an article. Whatever your method may be, however, you find that it works for you and hopefully that it makes writing enjoyable.
How Do You Write?
Now it’s your turn. Spill.
Tim Smith is a music loving blogger and designer. He’s passionate about blogging and loves to share his thoughts and experiences for the benefit of others. Find out more on his personal site. Follow Tim on Twitter: @timothybsmith.
It really varies, given the project. A lot of times I will outline it and then sit back letting the clouds roll in as the brainstorming rages. This usually occurs with some music blaring in the background as I play some video game while playing with the main writing points of the piece in my head. Once I make a connection with an idea and start streaming more ideas together with my outlined points, it is time to turn away from the game and back to the keyboard.
I think I have a similar form as you. I go to my favorite coffee shop and I always order the same thing (plain bagel with a frozen coffee). Then, I’ll sit down, turn on my iPod and begin to outline.
I really like outlining because I find it so useful to organize ideas. It really helps when I begin to actually write the article because I already have the main points, now, I just need to expand on them.
Thanks for your comment Rob!
How do I write? I usually start by talking to myself. If there is a topic I’m interested in, I’ll talk my way through it. Then, I’ll write down what I rambled about.
From there, I try to put it in some coherent form and structure. My goal here is to not let structure and writing requirements hinder my creativity. If I’m worried about fitting a topic inside three subpoints, or making lists or something that readers expect, then I don’t really produce a quality product – I produce a readymade product.
That’s how I write.
Great comment! Professional, effective and personal way of writing.
My method is very similar to Matthew’s. I “start” writing when I feel I have a good topic, and I talk (in my head) my way through the whole article, often taking many rabbit trails along the way. So I will go through it quite a few times, while walking, in the shower, etc. Each time weeding out content and focussing the topic.
So… when it comes to actually “writing”, I already have a pretty good outline of what I want to type. The actual writing then goes pretty quickly, but can also be affected by how much time I have to write. When I work on technical articles, during the writing phase, I find I will leave items out that aren’t absolutely necessary. Taking the time to write the unnecessary is very annoying and is a good motivator NOT to do it.
Finally, I re-read my content a few times for spelling and grammar issues as well as content flow.
Spontaneous with re-tweaking – I guess. Just grab an idea and let it flood out. Normally fiddle with it a few times before pushing it out. And then tinker a few times more before putting it to bed. My gf wonders where it comes from, because I don’t talk like I write. Which I think is really interesting but probably very normal?
Similar to Ben, I try to get everything out first. I use Text Edit so I don’t get distracted with formatting. All those ideas that have come to me in the middle of the night, in the shower or driving get put to page. Sometimes nothing will come of it for weeks, then I’ll see something that relates to it and go back and work it again.
Branding is like that. You’ll start with 5 key messages you want to communicate. As you move through the brand development process and you learn new information, those messages will morph and change. The point you are trying is almost always relevant, it’s how you package it that changes.
My style is secret! ;-)
I approach it similar to Ben’s style. I’ll just start writing…and then when a new opening or direction comes to mind, I move down a couple of lines and write that too and so on. The end product is usually a combination of all of those random lines and rewrites.
THEN (because I’m not done) I’ll walk away from it and do something else like mow the lawn or take the dog out. My mind will still be mulling it over while I’m away from the piece but I’m not actively working on it and it’s during these times that I think of changes or decided it’s good to go.
Oh and I have to be listening to the Twilight Score and eating something chewy like Hubba Bubba or Swedish Fish. :)
It depends on what it is I’m writing. If it’s an essay, I tend to go over it for days, even weeks at a time, making notes as I think of things. Then I bring it all together in a couple of hours.
If it’s a short story I usually go through a series of false starts, circling around it like a basketball offensive guard looking to penetrate a zone defense. When the opening is there, I rush through it.
If it’s advertising copy, I tend to put it off until it absolutely has to be done, then plunge in.
No matter what I do, I seldom outline. If I find myself outlining, it means the project has gotten too complex or that I don’t understand the subject enough – the outline reveals the next set of questions I need to ask before going on.
For me, I have a million ideas running around my head all day. My list of stories to write is endless, that will never be a problem. For me I procastinate a lot, I have to make sure everything is perfect before I start writing so that I won’t be interrupted during. Apart from that, I just write, write, write!
It’s very interesting to see that although everyone has the same type of goal, connect with readers and produce quality content, we all do it in a different way.
Thanks for participating in the discussion. :-)
First, I find a topic, which is usually an ordeal that takes a while. Then, I just write. No planning, just write.
I’m heavily influenced by Douglas Adams (and he is influenced by Monty Python, so, indirectly, I’m influenced by Monty Python). Therefore, I have a very round-a-bout way of writing. I take out a lot of the useless crap, edit it once more, and send it off.
I too let the words flow and then go back in and refine. Then, I refine some more. Usually, much like Michelle, I’ll have to walk away for a bit. And of course, as Bob mentioned, deadlines really decide how many times I’ll go back and rework what I’ve written.
First of all, when I have an idea about something I want to write about, I will immediately write that idea down – whether I am at the grocery store or walking down the street. My initial thought are always written on the back of receipts and scrap pieces of paper in my purse. I like to just brainstorm ideas throughout the day, and when I finally get in front of my computer, I feel like I have a comfortable start.
Then I just let it flow. I type exactly what comes to mind. I don’t worry about proper grammar and sentence structure…yet. I try to set my personality free in my writing. Once that’s all down, I go back and fix spelling errors, etc. And wha la. You have my writing style.
First of all, I chose a topic. I find that scheduled blogging has never worked for me, so I try to find a post topic depending on the mood I’m in (either from a list of posts titles I’ve always created, or by creating one on the spot). I find that when choosing the right topic that reflect the interests I have currently, I have better outcomes.
I then do a quick brainstorm. Depending on the type of post, I may create an very general outline – or I may not. Some posts are better without, as I like to write as I go through the thought process myself. I believe this helps the reader also go through the same thought process. For example, when writing a tutorial, or some other step-by-step how-to, I am generally very lenient with my outline. Other times though I create an outline of major headings I want to include, but beyond that I just let it flow, as most of my ideas come to me during the writing process.
Also, depending on the type of post, I do a lot of research. That’s something that I’m not sure many other bloggers do. I collect resources of similar posts or examples, and take notes, right in the blog post. I then further define or leave my comment on some of my research. If anyone were to read my blog posts, they’ll find that I quote many other sources, and link to further resources. This is all a result of my research.
I really like your point on research. I usually research the topic more time than it takes me to write about it. Thanks for your comment Kayla.
I’m gonna have to go with Stephen King on this one and say “one word at a time.”
That’s definitely a good way of looking at it. Thanks for your participation Chris! ;-)
I bring post-it’s with me and use them as a temporary notebook for idea’s till i get home. Then i put the stickies on a pieces of paper and brainstorm. Once my writing is typed up, the sticky gets thrown away. I know it’s not a very good system but it works for me. It’s only temporary anyway. Ideas, images and expressions are always changing and so are the ways we process them.
My writing ideas almost always begin in the shower. In the past, I would forget most of my inspiration by the time I toweled off and found a notebook. But, I found the best thing recently. It’s a waterproof notepad made especially for shower thinkers. It’s called AquaNotes. I use this thing almost every morning and now have more topics and writing material than I can use at any given time.