Beth & Cory's Mom: Blogging Inspiration, Where Does it Come From?

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Blogging Inspiration, Where Does it Come From?

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How many times have you sat down with your computer, a new blog post just waiting to be written, and you can't think of a thing to say? Yeah, me too - way too often.

That's when I start looking around for some kind of inspiration, something that will get some words onto the screen. The truth is that I'm often inspired to blog. I compose blog posts in my head as I go about my daily activities - while I'm walking (yes, even though I'm also trying to listen to a book), while I'm washing dishes or cleaning the house or baking, and even when I'm in the shower. Inspiration comes from many sources.

Of course, the best source of inspiration for a personal blog like mine is life - what's going on in my life, what's going on with the kids, the cute thing my grandson did the other day, etc. Let me tell you what that little cutie did yesterday. I was watching him while his mommy went to the doctor, and we pulled his motorcycle out into the living room so he could ride it. I hadn't been planning on watching him, so I was still trying to get some things done. I had my back turned, and when I turned back around to see what Jason was doing, I caught him standing up on the motorcycle. Little daredevil of a boy! (and isn't that motorcycle just the neatest thing?) Shortly after this picture was taken, he took his hands off the handlebars and stood straight up.

The great thing about using life and life's happenings as inspiration for blogging is that, when you blog about what is going on right now, you'll have it to look back on and read later. Your memories are preserved. And the family members who live far away get a chance to read about what is going on, even if they can't be there in person.

Sometimes, though, my life just seems to be more of the same thing as always, and there's nothing fun, exciting, or interesting to write about. Then what? I've found that some of the best sources of inspiration come from talk shows. I usually have something on while I'm working around the house - whether I'm actually watching or even paying attention. Sometimes (often) the things they say really have me talking back to the tv - like they can really hear me! But that is a perfect time for a blog post. I may not be on tv, like those talk show personalities, and they can't hear me when I talk back and disagree with them, but I can blog about it. This is the place where I can share my opinions, and whether anybody else cares or agrees, at least I get to say it. Let me tell you, there are some people on tv that I rarely, if ever, agree with! I really should be blogging more instead of wasting my energy yelling at the tv.

Other sources of inspiration are news and current events, magazine articles, books, email - pretty much anything you hear, read, or experience. If you have an opinion to share, you have a blog post. I think there's plenty of inspiration out there, and I realize that I have plenty to say. What I need to do is sit myself down at the computer and write my posts when that inspiration strikes, while all the words are there - instead of waiting, and then finding out that I can't remember all that stuff I was going to say and that I can't think of a thing to say.

Oh yeah, I have plenty to say. I just need to start saying it. How about you?