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| Sometimes it's difficult to read my own writing. |
Over the past year and a half since I started this blog there are times I've struggled with the writing. I do not have a broad vocabulary. I've learned to just get the basic idea down then work on clarity and varying the words. For me, talking about bikes is a passion. Through this venue I hope to accomplish a few things: share bike ideas and meet others who are of like mind, share photos of Vermont, show others how easy it is to tour, cycling slowly is just fine, and work on my writing while sharpening my brain.
I often have 3-6 posts in the queue. Some are just titles. Some are only photos. Some are titles with phrases. It's common that while I'm in transit, specific words or ideas pop into my head. The other day I had three things I wanted to remember, so as I pedaled I recited the items out loud. And hoped no one noticed! After a while I stopped, pulled out my little notebook, and scribbled, clearing my brain. I mean, what if other thoughts drifted in and the hard drive wasn't cleared? I know, it's a pathetically small capacity. (By the way, any more than 3 items on the grocery list also gets written down.)
Things I always do:
- Post a picture with every entry (I dislike blogs without pictures, even if the writing is spectacular)
- Keep the word length reasonable
- It's okay to show my failings; it's good for a laugh.
- The Synonym Finder is my friend, a thick thesaurus I find invaluable
- Post 4-5 times a week.
- Comment on at least one blog per day to support others (who doesn't like getting a response?)
- Only blog at night, after helping the kids with homework. Know when to turn off the computer and live my life.
This is an interesting topic. I mostly get my ideas while riding, I often compose sentences in my head while I'm rolling along, though I sometimes forget them before they are written down. I always have a few indeas for posts in advance that I keep in a separate document on the computer. I thought that I would run out of ideas but I keep getting new ones, or see cool things i want to write about.
ReplyDeleteI initially set out to document bikes and bicycle infrastructure I see in my hometown, then when I started to work on my old Speedwell bike I included that and it got more interest than my other topics, plus it interests me to write about it and now other restorations as well. I always include photos and have taken a much greater interest in photography since starting the blog and now compose my photos much more carefully.
Finding the right words I don't have much difficulty with, though I will sometimes go back and make a few changes once I have published a post. I have always liked writing about topics that interest me.
I, too, like the Speedwell. It's old and classic looking and a step-through frame. There is a growing interest, apparently nationwide, in restoring old bikes. It boggles my mind how many hits I get for the Miyata and the Trek. It's consistently on my Popular Posts list.
DeleteThe other thing I have blogged about that gets a lot of interest is the problems I have had with my Shimano three gear hub, those posts got the most hits I think!
DeleteWe are motivated by similar things, it seems. I usually have more to write about than I have time to write, but like you, I do it to try and keep my brain sharp and communicate with some like-minded people. The strangest things, and many times comments from riding buddies, will spur an entire train of thought that eventually turns into a post.
DeleteThanks for commenting on my blog. It has helped motivate me to write more.
Even though I don't comment as much as I'd like on yours, I love reading it and learn something with every post.
Yes, it is interesting what pops into the brain!
DeleteI also enjoy the unpredictability of it, what seems to catch a little attention, and what doesn't. I also appreciate reading and seeing the photos that other cyclists post in their own blogs.
ReplyDeleteWhat I've noticed is that the posts that capture attention may or may not be what folks necessarily comment on. I get numerous views on some posts, but never any comments.
DeleteThat's a good list to blog by.
ReplyDeleteI've got lists. Oh, do I have lists!
ReplyDeleteI think I have items going back a year that I want to eventually write about. Maybe I will...eventually.
Then there are those "seasonal" entries. I've been meaning to talk about raingear for awhile. But now it's April and I don't want to think about the "rainy season" any more.
I try to write about immediate things, things that happen, things that stand out. I save the other stuff for quieter times. For example, I wrote a post tonight that will get published Sunday about something I've been thinking of for a couple months. But talking about camping and touring, things happening now, come first.