Tuesday, April 10, 2012

My Blogging Brain is Blocked

Biggest month so far.
Last month I set a personal blogging goal for myself. About a week into the month of March, I noticed that I had posted every other day. I decided then to try to continue posting at that pace for the rest of the month. I did it. I had 15 posts last month, which is more than I have ever done in the past. I also received over 4,000 visits to my page last month, which is more than a thousand over my next highest month. I considered last month to be a successful blogging month. I don't really know what the criteria for a successful month is, but I was proud of last month's work.

I am beginning to wonder if I messed up last month. Did I spew out too much too fast? Did I empty out my head faster than it can be refilled? For the last three days, I have been sitting in front of my computer trying to write another post, but there appears to be nothing there. I can't even seem to get started, which is usually the sticking point. Generally, if I can get started then it flows easier.

I even have a few ideas of what I want to write about, but it just isn't coming. I have taken a few notes on topics that I am sure will see the light of day sometime in the next few days or weeks, but for now, they just refuse to develop into anything more than ideas. Eight months ago, I asked my readers for suggestions of things to write about. I have only done 4 of the 11 suggestions I was given. I need to re-visit that list.

I considered heading to my buddy Adam's house and knocking him down the stairs or something. Every time I write about our trips to the ER (here and here), my blog explodes with traffic. He might be embarrassed by the things I choose to share about him, but it is always good for my stats.

Maybe it is time for me to share another chapter in the saga between myself and Red. These posts are always tough, because I never know what to share. I will share that I gave her my phone number. For those of you that have been following long enough (read here), you know what a big step that is for me. I am not a big fan of talking on the phone. So, we now email, text and talk on the phone. Since it is now less than a month until we will get to meet face to face, I am sure there will be things to share in the near future.


Many of my favorite bloggers have been participating in the A-Z Challenge. I decided to opt out of this thinking that I would not be able to keep up the pace, but have come to regret that decision. This would have given me something to write about every day for the rest of the month. Here are some of the great ones doing this challenge that you should check out: Lily at The Incoherent Ramblings of a Moose, Bozo at A Bozo's Abbozzo, and Jayne at Ach du Lieber, Jayne. Today's letter is 'H.'

Jayne pulls words from her Actionary to present to her readers. One of today's words is displayed in the following picture:
I pledge to get out of my writing funk as soon as possible and get back to writing. I love writing this blog and hate not posting for more than a few days. 



Adam just called me and said he may need to go to the hospital later. That will give me something to write about for tomorrow. YAY!!!

Correction: I did not mean to appear happy. I hope he is okay.

Disclaimer: Okay or not, there will be something to write about for tomorrow. YAY!!!

2nd Disclaimer: I really do hope he is alright.

Addendum: Although, I am hopeful that the visit will be blog worthy.

Admission of Guilt: I think I might be a terrible person.



I will close with the cartoon my daughter drew for her school newspaper on Valentine's Day. It has nothing to do with my post, but I have jumped all over the place. This is as good a place as any to include it.

February edition of the Vernois News



47 comments:

  1. Thanks for the plug, Brett!
    You know that you can always write about writer's block. Works for me.
    Here's hoping that Adam has something blogworthy, but not contagious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are quite welcome.

      I don't expect contagion. It is usually a physical issue associated with his disability.

      Delete
    2. Ach du lieber- thanks for that!!! Yeah I haven't had to go to the hospital for a long time its just the last two months everything has happened....Stay tuned for his next blog should be quite entertaining....

      Delete
  2. Writing everyday is tough. For me it is not just getting inspiration to write, but it is not having enough time to actually write it out.

    Even in your "funk," I still enjoyed today's post, and your blog is on my "Everyday Reads," section in Google Reader, so you can rest assured that no matter how frequently or infrequently you post, I will be there!

    And that is an awesome picture by your daughter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. It's those people (like you) that show up every time that I begin to feel a connection with. Thank you for reading.

      I keep trying to get my daughter to start a blog. She is so funny, but isn't real comfortable with the idea.

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    2. Haha she totally should!

      Let her do it anonymously.

      But tell me the link, of course.

      Delete
  3. Congrats on the milestone!

    Start playing with Stumbleupon. Every now and then, one of your posts could go viral and BOOM, 1,000-10,000 views in one day.

    Your jaw will hit the floor when it happens to you. Feels good, man...


    As for the funk, go people-watch. Humans are the oddest creatures in existence, and if you observe long enough you're bound to find some interesting material...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the tips. I have been surprised where posts have come from sometimes. I once wrote one based on the fortune cookie I had received.

      I submit some of them to StumbleUpon. I had one get several hundred hits within a few minutes, but haven't had one explode yet.

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    2. I can't figure out Stumbleupon to save my life.

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    3. I love StumbleUpon. It works better if you use Mozilla Firefox and download the StumbleUpon add-on.

      Delete
  4. You are one of the one's that i have recently had the good fortune to stumble upon. I quite enjoy what you're doing. I can understand that trap of trying to put something out there every day. I'm pretty new to this, but i'm trying to build some type of audiance and worry that if i'm not here everyday, they will become less interested. For now, it seems that i've settled on 4 times per week, but writing so often, causes me worry about the quality of what i can do...it's a catch 22. I struggle with that.
    You're on my reading list now, i'd be happy to have some of your talent rub off. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ken. I wrote for a year and a half averaging about 150-350 views a month. Just this past January is when my numbers started to grow and I started gaining followers that were not people I already knew.

      I also feel like that was when I found "my voice." I quit trying to emulate the writers that I liked and just started writing. At that point, it came so much more naturally and became easier.

      Writing on a regular basis helps, even if it is just twice a week. The best advice I can give to grow your audience (besides writing) is network with other bloggers. Visit and comment often. That gets your name out there.

      Delete
    2. Oh, when I used the term stumble upon, I actually meant to find by accident. I didn't realize there was actually a site called stumble upon. That turned out a little awkward. Thanks for the advice.

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    3. Ken, your blog is great. I'm new to it but what I've read is entertaining and interesting. I look forward to your posts - and even if you were quiet for a bit I wouldn't lose interest. Just adding in my bit... :-)

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    4. Thank you so much. I know how it feels to even have people begin to leave a few comments so I've been trying to be supportive if there's something I like. I'm finding your blog has me checking back often as well, Bozo. :)

      Delete
  5. Wow...another mention, so soon! I'm ...speechless!
    (You're doing a good job pretending that I really exist. I don't sound like some fake internet-robot at all!)

    I have to think that, when I was 16 I would NOT have wanted to spend my time online blogging, so I don't blame Kirsten for being hesitant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since my dad doesn't believe any girl would ever be interested in me without monetary compensation, I have to play it up.

      Kirsten already writes (voluntarily) for the school paper, gets excited every time a teacher assigns her to write something and she lives on the internet anyway. I thought it would be a good fit. You're right. She doesn't seem to be interested.

      Delete
  6. Only you can write about not having anything to write about and still produce a funny post at the end of it.

    As for the correction, disclaimers, addendum and admission of guilt, they alone had me laughing out loud!

    And thanks so much for the mention. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are quite welcome and thank you.

      Adam really did call in the middle of my post. I got excited at the potential blog to come later and then felt bad.

      Delete
    2. We just got back from the ER. There will be a post about it tomorrow.

      Delete
  7. This post had me going all over the place. I felt so bad for you at the start of it - it was such a sad tone! lol... But then, thankfully, all these other great topics came up and things got cheerful.

    You already know what my favourite part of this post is, I'm sure. I'm not so good on phones either. If I know someone really well then it's ok - like my parents - but otherwise I'm a bit self-conscious.

    HOWEVER... my relationships with phones is neither here nor there. Instead we must focus on the important bit of news that you've shared with us... and oh, it's so good! ;-)

    Thanks for the mention :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also, I just noticed that I hadn't responded to your feedback on my Letter G post. Now I have.

      Delete
    2. Thank you and you are welcome for the mention. Just writing this post gave me several new ideas. We will see how it goes.

      Delete
    3. Bozo- Glad to hear from you again....its been a while since I have been on here just been busy with my business and getting better health wise...Hope you are doing okay...

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    4. I'm doing well, thanks Train! Been wondering were you've been - and was on the verge of coming by your blog to request a post ;-)

      Hope your latest adventure with Brett wasn't anything too dramatic!

      Delete
  8. Whenever I'm looking for a good traffic spike I usually add a lot of sexually obscene tags to the post in question. Works like a charm. Spreads like chlamydia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is exactly the direction tomorrow's post is going to go. This trip to the ER was the best one yet.

      Delete
    2. Oh my....what have I done....great...wonderful...

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  9. Well first off, awesome cartoon.

    Second, writers block is a terrible thing. And if you're contagious then please, please stay away!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think writing this post jarred it loose. I plan to be back tomorrow.

      Delete
  10. I've had the same problem since my Feb 29 day challenge. It's like I'm all worded out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have even thought of shutting it down.

      Delete
    2. Shutting the whole blog down?

      No. Where would all your words go? They have to go somewhere. Might as well share them with us.

      Delete
  11. I can't wait until you meet Red. Don't withhold any of the juicy details. Oh, and don't elope.

    Your daughter is amazing. One day, I hope to marry someone that owns a lil' witty darling of his own, and hope he shares her with me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kirsten is pretty amazing and is more than happy to tell people.

      I am looking forward to meeting Red as well.

      Delete
  12. My problem is time to write and illustrate. Sometimes, I feel the same way, though. Maybe your trip to the hospital will be exciting. I look for excitement in everything now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When my class load gets heavy the time becomes more challenging. Right now, that is not an issue. It's just a matter of inspiration.

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  13. For writers block, that still turned out alright :)

    Good things come to those who wait to push Adam down the stairs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I got cured that evening.

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    2. wait....what...Me down some stairs???? I don't like where this is going...

      Delete
    3. Hakuna Matata, Adam. The subsequent trip to the ER negated the possibility of that happening.

      Delete
  14. Just pick a noun from a dictionary and use that as your starting point! You'll get the juices flowing in no time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. That could be a fun challenge on some days too.

      Delete
  15. jayne sent me...

    the a z challenge is tough but so is coming up with something to write about...

    that is why i drink...and then go visit blogs...

    wait...no i drink for the articles...(pictures, really)

    what..no i like the taste of beer...

    and being drunk...

    er uh i mean drinkign..

    ReplyDelete
  16. There are tons of bloggers I follow that are filling my blog roll fast. I have gotten behind as well.

    ReplyDelete

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