Monday, November 21, 2011

Blogging Preparation


While I'm not wild about cooking, I do like to eat. Short cooking videos and TV chefs inspire me to copy recipes, so I can "someday" try them. What they neglect to show you is all the preparation that went into making the food. In fact, there's a whole class of chefs known as "sous chefs." They chop, cut, dice, and get all the ingredients ready for the chef, who pulls it all together.

Today, I'm giving everyone an inside look at what it takes to write these posts. Behind the short paragraphs and graphics, time and energy are expended to gather what I'll need for my blog meal.

1) Prayer. I know. I say that a lot, but it's essential for all aspects of my life and writing. I don't hang around waiting for an answer to drop from the sky or a booming voice. I pray and then go about my business. God responds in many ways. (See #2.)

2) The idea. This one came from watching food videos on Swagbucks. Others come from reading blogs and mulling over different points. My journaling time and Bible reading are a constant source of inspiration.

3) The Takeaway. Why would anyone want to read my post? Is there something that will challenge them, help them with a task, or encourage them?

4) The Graphic. When I'm looking at the Blogger feed, it's often a graphic that gets me to stop and check out a post. Choosing the picture takes almost as much time as writing an entry.

5) The Writing. Once I've prayed, jotted down my ideas, know the takeaway (application), and have the graphic in My Pictures, I'm ready to write. Sometimes the post flows in a different direction than I'd anticipated, but I go with it. After all, I am a SOTP writer! Yet, my preparation makes puts the basics at my fingertips.

Writers: How do you construct a blog post? Do you wing it the night before, outline, plan, or a combination?

Readers: What keeps you coming back to a blog?

16 comments:

Jessica Nelson said...

I wing my blog posts. Even if they're scheduled ahead of time, they're still "wung" in advance. ;-) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Susan!

Linda O'Connell said...

I am windy, and I usually write persoanl essays about everyday events, people, places, things, and of course, writing.

I try to infuse my writing with humor, because with so much bad world-news, all of us need to find something to smile about. Thanks, Susan for your wonderful posts. I may not always comment, but I do read them.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

HI Susan...this is awesome how you broke this down....I usually just wing it myself but when I write I'm learning to do more of a outline and plan.....On blogs I try to keep it short and precise and hope I'm not straying off topic.

Kathleen said...

Sometimes I wish I were more systematic or disciplined about when & how I blog. Alas ... I am not. But I do pray. I would hope that no matter what I post, it would one day impact my grandchildren in a way that honors God. It's just a bonus that I've met so many of you fellow bloggers in so doing.

Blessings for a week of wonder & thanks giving.

Kathleen

Loree Huebner said...

I'm a "wing it" at the last moment kind of blogger.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nancy said...

I get an idea and sometimes I do a few notes. Than I pray. When I sit to write, I just let the thing flow. Occasionally, I go back and change sentences and paragraphs, but I usually get it the first time. Then, I do the spell check.

Melanie N. Brasher said...

I'm definitely a planner. :) Happy Thanksgiving, Susan!

Marja Verschoor-Meijers said...

I am not a planner, I write as it comes... online. I have no files of posts in Word :)
Personally, I like blogs that are short and to the point. I shy away from blog posts that are way too long, I simply don't have the time and patience to read them.
With that being said... I LOVE your blog Susan.
Happy thanksgiving week Susan.

Sarah Forgrave said...

Fun analogy, Susan! My blog posts simmer in my brain for a long time, and I type things out as they come. Then I schedule and polish them. :)

Karen Lange said...

My approach is much like yours. And sometimes when I am stuck, I realize I skipped the essential steps (like prayer). Thanks for sharing, Susan!
Blessings,
Karen

Diane Estrella said...

Sounds like a perfect formula. I guess I kind of do that but not that formally. Hugs and have a Happy Thanksgiving week. :O)

Chatty Crone said...

Just stopping by to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving! sandie

trump said...

I'm visiting new blogs today for the first time, so i also thought id wish you a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your readers. And i hope that the day is spent generating positive memories for years to come. Richard from Amish Stories.

North Jersey Christian Writers Group said...

Hi Susan!
Great post! I am a SOTP for sure, but I do have a slew of drafts waiting to be finished!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving. To Mom too!
Susan

quietspirit said...

Susan:
Thank you for letting the cyber-world in on your process of writing an entry. I follow a similar plan; in my plan, I search for scriptures.
I try to plan my writings. I choose a topic for each month. I have made out a table for 2012.
For the column I write, I have tried to adopt the monthly topic plan but don't think it will work for me. I really need to pray about this. BTW, thanks for the reminder to pray; I sometimes forget.
I advance post mine.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

I miss everyone! I'm having problems with my computer shutting down. Hopefully, everything will be resolved sometime next week.

Thanks for your patience.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Susan :)