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Blog Prep

How do you like to blog? Do you write it spur of the moment? Schedule posts days in advance? Start drafts, return to them days later, and post them just as soon as they're finished?

I've kept drafts for my wordpress blog before, but only just realized how much scheduling posts ahead of time helps me. I need deadlines - and setting a date and a time that the post will hit the web, finished or not, will get them done.

Of course, sometimes something topical will need to get written and posted on the fly, but having a couple of posts in reserve, thinking out my topics in advance, is really a great trick for maintaining regular posting. Wish I'd figured that out a year ago, and I hope I can keep it up!

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Permalink Reply by Angie on January 29, 2010 at 7:18pm

Haha...

For me, I sit down. I log in on blogspot. I check the various blogs I follow, see if anyone has updated. If they have, I read their blogs. Then I hit "New Post"...

Then I sit there and I think of what to blog about. Sometimes I'll start writing - dislike what I wrote - and then just close. v.v It's HORRIBLE!!!

I'm trying to get a more... "mature" style of writing. I AM 20. Though I write more like I'm fifteen and that annoys me so much, it stops me from posting more often.

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Permalink Reply by nicopolitan on January 29, 2010 at 7:24pm

I actually don't complete them in one sitting. My login screen is my homepage, and I add paragraphs at a time over the course of days. It's a long term thought process.

I wonder if anyone else does this?

Interesting conversation topic. I hope this thread keeps going.

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Permalink Reply by Allison on January 29, 2010 at 7:35pm

I typically write a post the night before and then queue it for 10 a.m. the next morning. This generally guarantees that I get something posted everyday. I sometimes stay up pretty late to get something written. I don't usually write things way in advanced. Sometimes I'll think of something that will be good for a special occasion, like New Years Eve, that I'll start earlier and work on. But that's about it. I also keep a notebook with ideas or I'll just start a blog post and write the subject of the post in the title and then come back and write it.

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Permalink Reply by Kayla Aimee on January 29, 2010 at 7:55pm

I write it all out in my head and then pour it all out when I sit down. I keep a couple of posts in reserve, because sometimes I have 5 posts in my head and sometimes I have none. So I blog everything that's in there when it's there and post it when I've got nothin.

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Permalink Reply by Ninja in a Mazda on January 29, 2010 at 8:31pm

I keep a list of things I want to write about, then when I have time (usually on the weekends) I bust something out. I think if most topics in class or at work, so I just write myself a note or two to capture the general idea for later.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Danowski on January 29, 2010 at 8:36pm

I use a combination. I don't blog every day yet. I try to do a post at least once a week. I need to set a day every week because I hear that it is important to be regular. Apparently your readers will begin to anticipate your new posts.

I keep a list of potential blog topics. When I get in a writing mood I will try to sit down and crank out 2 or 3 posts. Other times I will write a paragraph or two for more. I try aim to use the technique where you just write and worry about making it good later with editing. I have had several blog posts that started out as nonsense, but the posts evolved with editing into something that I was pleased with.

I keep all of my blog posts in a single scrivener project. When I need a blog posts, I will usually have something at least started if not mostly done.

I want to get post scheduling up and running, but I need to mess with my CMS software. My test post didn't post when I told it to last week ._.

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Permalink Reply by Whitney on January 29, 2010 at 9:03pm

I usually just write as it comes to me. I have "theme days" to help me stay consistent, but my favorite posts stem out of conversations with friends that happen around 3 a.m.

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Permalink Reply by Amy --- Just A Titch on January 29, 2010 at 9:14pm

I do a mix: I keep a list of things to blog and if I'm lacking inspiration, I'll use that. Otherwise, I draw inspiration from my day. Typically, I have a post or two ready to go for those days when nothing strikes...

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Permalink Reply by Peyton Smythe on January 29, 2010 at 9:56pm

thebigshowatud.blogspot.com

once i have an idea, i handwrite a few lines that i want to be sure to include. all of my blogs are built on a handful of really good lines that i like, and the rest comes together after those. i make an outline, and then i sit and type it all. then i edit: add some words, get rid of some, and then publish. somehow, doing it that way doesn't compromise what i mean to say nearly as much as when i just wrote out everything i was thinking on the fly.

thebigshowatud.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Linda on February 3, 2010 at 5:01pm

you make an outline?

it makes sense now.
your entries are very focused.
impressive

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Permalink Reply by Ashley R on January 29, 2010 at 10:49pm

I haven't gotten to blogging every day, but when I have the time I just open up my blogger and start a new post. I'm pretty good at being able to write at least one post, but there are times when a second one will come to me. I don't like to double up posts on a day (since they're generally long), so I'll either save it as a draft or schedule it to go on a day I know I won't have time. Only for specific times (holidays, usually) do I have scheduled posts for specific topics.

I do keep a list of possible blog topics though, just in case I feel my blog needs a good anecdote or I get a bit stalled in creativity.

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Permalink Reply by Christina Brown on January 30, 2010 at 1:23am

Most of the time, I have an idea. Usually it is a simple idea. Within minutes (sometimes a half a hour or so) a blog post is completed. If I have an idea already implanted in my mind, I have a blog post. Usually my posts are scheduled and I write down the ideas or topics I want to talk about. If I have an idea, I don't need to write in advance until I am ready to start a blog post.