I’ve been a writer a lot longer than I’ve been a blogger. I started writing when I was in middle school and never stopped. Even professionally, I’ve been writing for a good 10 years but only blogging for maybe 4. In all my life, I’ve never had writers block so bad as I do with blogging.
I can think of a million stories to write, but after a while, I start to feel like I’m completely running out of new GOOD ideas for blogging. This very post was born after an hour of going through my list of posts to write, trying to decide which to focus on. None of them screamed “write me!” So I figured the best way to overcome my blog writer’s block was to write a post reminding me (and you) of ways to overcome it.
Ten Tips for Overcoming Blog Writer’s Block
- Write down every single idea you have, no matter how bizarre or lame you think it is at the time. If you get in the habit of writing down ideas, you’ll end up with a nice file to choose from. Even if it seemed like a boring idea at the time, it may inspire you to come up with an interesting new take. I organize my writing ideas in a nice binder. Of course, there are times when even that doesn’t help, so read on.
- Read the news. Pretty Opinionated isn’t really a newsy site, so this doesn’t help here. I am responsible for coming up with the majority of ideas for the editorial calender for OurFamilyWorld though, and that’s where Bing news comes in really handy. I prefer Bing to Google, but use whatever engine you like. The trick is to not limit yourself to news about your niche topics. I’ve found inspiration for the bullying section in sports news, for kids health in technology and so on.
- Write something every day. On days when you find you just don’t feel like writing, create outlines or lists. Write half a post. Something is better than nothing. If you can’t finish it, leave it in draft and go back to it another day.
- Stop forcing yourself to write linearly. The biggest mistake writers make is assuming they have to start with an intro, write the middle then add a conclusion. I used to sit in front of my computer for an hour trying to think of a 75-word intro when I already had the middle written in my head. I stopped writing linearly and started with what I had. Sometimes I start with the end and work my way back. The rest falls into place.
- Use blogging prompts wisely. I’ve never been a big fan of writing prompts because I feel like they box me in to one specific topic. Still, sometimes they can give you different ideas. Like The Sits Girls had a prompt to write ten things about yourself. Well, I’m a pretty open book and besides, I’ve already done a few of those posts. So I figured I’ll write 10 Things You Probably Don’t Want to Know About Me and spill all my more embarrassing traits. That one should be coming up soon. I have to work up the courage! If you use writing prompts, just be sure to give it your own unique twist.
- Check out the list of weird holidays. Every single day is some sort of “National Day Of…” Tomorrow happens to be Donald Duck day. Just like every month and week honors one cause, person, place, etc. When I’m totally strapped for ideas, I head to BrownieLocks. They have the best list I’ve found so far.
- Write about your town. Every town has something interesting in it. I’ve written about a bunch of places in the Poconos and still have other spots in the area that I want to cover at some point.
- Do keyword research. I do not write to keywords on Pretty Opinionated. I can’t stand writing for SEO, I think it’s making us all weaker writers. I have Yoast, but rarely remember to use it. Mostly I just use it to plug in my meta description. Still, when I can’t think of a good idea, I use the keyword planner to put in a random word and see where it takes me. Like, with Easter coming up, I’ll use it to get ideas for that.
- Read other blogs. I am incredibly anal about making sure that I don’t accidentally (or on purpose) ride another blogger’s good topic mojo, so I rarely read other blogs as a source of inspiration for my own posts. I read at least 50 other blog posts a day. Sometimes I skim, sometimes I read every word. It really depends. I do this not only to support other bloggers but also because it gives me ideas indirectly. Say I read an amazing over at Jade Louise Designs (one of my favorite sites by one of my favorite bloggers). I know darn well that I can’t make anything even remotely as pretty as she does, but it may give me an idea for a great roundup post. By the way, for roundup posts, always ask permission before using another blogger’s photo. Most will say yes, but it’s always nice to ask!
- Get out of your own head for a while. When all else fails, get the heck out of your own head. Watch mindless television, read a book, go for a walk. Have a conversation with a friend. You may just find inspiration in the strangest places!
What are your favorite tips to overcome blog writer’s block and find ideas to write about?
Thanks for the tips. Sometimes I have a hard time trying to find things to write about on my blog. This will definitely help!
All excellent tips. My brain is usually on speed, so I rarely run out of stuff, but when I do, this is a good list full of ideas 🙂
These are really great tips. I’ve been suffering from writer’s block lately. I’m going to try these.
I wish I would have saw this write up 2 years ago when i started my blog lol it would have got me threw those bad days lol
I have good ideas and NEVER write them down.. This causes them to NEVER get on my blog. I need to follow these tips.
These are wonderful tips! I find that writing a post inspired by local events, a news story, or another post that you’ve read is a great way to get the wheels churning again.
Also, being okay with not publishing a new post everyday is important too.
fantastic tips!! I have a little black notebook that I write all my blog ideas in, some sound daft when I am writing them, but then a few months down the line turn into a really great idea.
I may have to try not writing lineearly. It makes a lot of scense because sometimes I take forever thinking of the first intro paragraph when I could be writing the middle and end. I think we all experience blog writers block at sometime or another.
It really does help. It takes time to get into the habit of it, but once you do, it goes so much faster. The intro kind of just appears to you.
I typically just walk away when I get like that. You can’t force it and it’s frustrating to try, so it’s easier to just live a little life.
Live life? What’s that? LOL. Seriously, I know what you mean. There are days when I have to force myself to just get away from the computer and stop over-thinking everything.
Nice tips. I think it is always important to keep reading outside your nice. It will help you get other ideas for future work as well.
These are great tips! I just write everything in my brain out and then try to make sense of the gibberish!
I write constantly in my head. I wish there was a way to just hook a keyboard up to my brain! Or hook up a flash drive and do a memory dump of some type.
Writer’s block is rough. It’s hard to get those creative juices flowing when you hit a wall like that. These are some great tips.
I really need to start writing all my ideas down! I don’t know how many times I think of something that would be a great blog post, then completely forget about it soon after. I need to carry around a little notebook just to jot stuff down when inspiration hits!
I had to start doing that. I keep paper everywhere. The worst though is when I come up with ideas in the shower. Can’t exactly write them down when I’m all wet, lol!
I actually have the opposite problem. I write and save my drafts but these are fantastic tips!!
These are such great tips. I am bookmarking to really sink my teeth into these recommendations later
These are really good tips!! I have to admit that I write linearly and I will sit there for hours to think of something before moving on. It’s insanity! I need to start jumping aorund like you said 🙂 I’m pinning this to my blogging board!
It’s hard to get used to at first, especially since in school we were taught to come up with a thesis before anything else. I used to drive my professors nuts because I refused to give a thesis statement until the rest of the paper was written. I never knew which direction I’d go until I was done.
Great tips! I don’t have writer’s block as I blog about the happenings in my life. I need tips on blogging regularly as I can drop off for a week or two, lol!
Schedule ahead! If you blog about the happenings in your life, create some drafts about a memory or past event, then have them ready to go for when you feel like dropping off for a bit.
My blog is still very new, I am always looking for ways to improve. This was really helpful. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you, I’m so glad you found it helpful!
Go watch a movie and add some inspiration haha! At least, that’s what I do.
Those are great tips! I find that I need to put some regular posts in between my sponsored posts too.
This happens a lot. Sometimes, my head just give up to emit ideas for posts. In my case taking a small break from blogging helps a lot. The tips given above are quite nice. Will try implementing couple of them.
Thanks for the tips! I really wish I have more time in blogging like before. But I keep trying to really write every week.
Thank you for this list! It’s really great and helpful. I shared it on Sverve too.
I’ve never had that problem but if I ever do I have some tips to look back on. Thanks for the tips!
These are all great ideas! I’m a big fan of writing down everything and adding notes to it. I’ve got tons of sticky notes, pages, and started drafts just waiting for me to have time.
I often get struck down by writers block. I personally feel the best way to avoid any sudden barriers is by making notes.
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