When I started this blog, I wasn’t sure where it was going to go—or who was going to read it. (I know people are reading it, because I watch the stats, but I’d love to hear more from you all!) It is a writer’s blog…sort of…and a parent’s blog…sort of…but mostly, I realized, it’s an online extension of the Journal that I’ve kept since the seventh grade.
However, there are some significant differences between a personal Journal and a public blog. For one, there are things that don’t belong online. But that’s kind of obvious. The big difference between Journal and blog is focus. In my Journal, I ramble on as long as I want, touching on as many random associations as I want. But here, I have to narrow my field to a single topic.
And this has helped me with another item: titles.
Titles and opening lines are the bane of writers’ existence. That applies to music as well as prose, though to a lesser extent. Opening lines are a messy item. I’m afraid I have nothing to offer on that subject–yet, at least. But blogging has helped improve my titles. Having to come up with a title for every piece I write exercises the titling muscle, and all things improve with exercise.
That doesn’t mean that I no longer struggle with titles. I do. But I struggle less, and at a higher level, than before. Blogging has taught me focus, and title and focus are tightly woven together. When I know what I’m writing about, the title flows more easily. The quicker I am at identifying my focus, the less flailing about I do in the early drafts. (And despite the informality of a blog, posts do go through several drafts.)
Journalling improved my writing; now blogging does the same. So, regardless of who reads it, or comments on it, or doesn’t, blogging is a worthwhile endeavor.
Now, if I can just figure out endings…
Just to let you know I read your blog religiously. I love keeping up with the Basi’s!!
Thanks Shelley
[...] Rules of Blogging for New Writers 1. It’s OK to spend the time blogging, even if you aren’t sure how many people are reading. Blogging replaces my personal journal. It teaches focus, titling, brevity and hooks. How can you [...]