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Blogging to Shift Road Blocks


B is for Blogging
When I get stuck as a writer, one of the most helpful things for me to do is blog. Blogging is writing but a post is shorter, obviously than writing a novel. Some of my fellow bloggers write poetry, short stories, recipes, rituals, book reviews, and post photography or art projects.

When I began blogging, years ago, I did quite long posts and admittedly, at times, I rambled, going all over the place. These days, I enjoy downloading my thoughts usually in a notebook or work page first, pairing the words with interesting imagery, in small parcels, and then editing it all on Blogger.

Blogging reaches people, almost immediately, whereas it can take years to write a novel, often working in isolation. It is the isolation that I find to be a very difficult aspect of being an author; as a blogger though, we are a part of a community. Almost as quickly as thoughts form and congeal, they can be posted and a conversation begins.

When we encounter road blocks, an object preventing movement, has been put in our way. Similarly, creative blocks are things in our way, often self-imposed through thinking in a negative or limiting manner. 



Moving Forward c. 2016, Stephanie Rose Bird, mixed media on paper


Posting specifically about creative blocks in as honest a way as possible, can be freeing. 

·        First of all you are admitting publicly what is going on. This act of owning your challenge is liberating.

·        Secondly, you can elicit advice and suggestions for how to move forward in your studio or written work, within your post.

·        Depending on your personality, your cry for help might be vague and open, or very specific.

·        Blogging can also be light, even silly or humorous. This turns what was thought of as a serious and heavy sort of thing into a light object, like a balloon. As a balloon, lifting the creative block out of the way is inevitable because of the lightness with which it is viewed.

·        Shifting is another tactic, I've blogged about a lot here, but this time let's think about it in terms of blogging. Whereas you were hyper-focused on one topic, blogging allows you to shift from topic to topic, if you so choose. 

   I know many of you reading this post are bloggers, but some are either new to it or wonder how it can be applied to the rest of your life, away from an activity such as the Z to Z Challenge. Hopefully, you've found some new ways of thinking about what blogging can offer your life and how doing it can move, or at least shift the weight of stubborn creative blocks.




Comments

  1. Hi Stephanie - wise words here ... blogging can be so supportive in so many ways, that I couldn't believe and can open doors to many new ideas ... opportunities, thoughts, learning, books, authors et al ...

    So many ideas around .. and thank you so much for coming over re my withdrawal .. cheers Hilary

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  2. Again, I really like your colorful and creative artwork. What hues!

    Happy A-Z!
    Doing 7 blogs this time around.
    Here are a few:

    Nickers and Ink Poetry and Humor
    Practically at Home
    Working in Words

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sometimes I find that writer's roadblocks are actually stair steps taking me in a new direction. Blogging helps me do that. Great post! ~ JEN Garrett

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    Replies
    1. What an interesting way of looking at a block Jen. Thanks!

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  4. Hi Stephanie I so admire authors. I'm not at the stage of writing a novel or may never be but I understand through blogging that creative blocks do exist. Thanks for the tips which are very useful. Have a lovely day! Sue @Sizzling60 from
    Sizzling Towards Sixty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a bunch Sue! You have a lovely blog; very well thought out. I joined your newsletter to stay in touch.

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  5. Lovely post Stephanie. I feel a real sense of friendship among my blogger friends who support, encourage etc. blogging is a great way to keep the juices running. Love your artwork!

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  6. Oh yes. Blogging is very helpful to clear out the mind.

    Anna
    ATSP @ Deeply Shallow
    @natzers

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm just checking - I know I put up a comment yesterday and I know hat it was awaiting approval but it's still not here! It must have got lost in the stratosphere. I love your art work Stephanie. Blogging is an important part of my life as a means of self-expression and making friends. Hope you're having a good weekend :)

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    Replies
    1. So sorry for the delay Susan. The weekend was calling to me with some other activities. Thanks so much for your comments. I always enjoy hearing from you and visiting your blog. Yours is a top-notch blog, no wonder you enjoy it!

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  8. Which is exactly why I am doing the A to Z Challenge. Thanks!
    Beth Lapin
    Activities for a Good Life
    https://bethlapinsatozblog.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. Loved this post about blogging! Fun!!!

    ReplyDelete

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