Thursday, September 20, 2007

How do you guys do it?

How do you come up with something clever, profound or thought provoking every day? Is it the writer in you? Do you see the world in a different light? I have all these thoughts running around in my head and I can never figure out how to get them out in writing. People have always told me that I have the gift of gab. I can talk to anyone about just about anything. Unfortunately, I can't seem to translate that to into writing. I'm hoping that keeping up this blog will help me with this. So....if you have any tips and tricks please let me know. Is there anything that you want to know about me? Any burning questions that you are dying to ask the newbie on the block?

13 comments:

Carrie said...

It's funny that you post this, 'cause I just told Brian, "I haven't done a really good blog post in a long time." I used to try to be profound and thought-provoking, but that doesn't seem to be happening lately.

I'm completely opposite from you. I get tongue-tied talking to people, and I never say the right thing, but I LOVE to write.

I love your posts! I'll try to think of some questions for ya.

Carrie said...

Okay, here's one. You commented on my blog once that you've never been pregnant, but yet you have Blake, so I'm assuming he's adopted. Can you share the story of how he came into your family? I'd love to hear it!

Melissa said...

I get into writing "moods" and I will write 3 or 4 posts. Then I save them and put them up here and there when I don't have anything great to say that day :)

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I love Melissa's idea! Good one!

Translating your conversational style into writing really is possible. Getting in the mindset can be tricky, but really worthwhile. Just picture that you're talking to us as you type, and it can help things fall into place.

As for thinking of something every day, that comes with time. When I first started blogging I was lucky to think of something once or twice a week.

Some people fill in the time between the personal stuff with funny pictures or news stories they've found online, links to favourite posts they've read at other people's blogs, random ramblings about odd thoughts that have come to mind (my specialty).

Frankly though, I think you're doing great!

Yvonne said...

I do what Melissa does--I write and then save. (I also don't always post every day) I agree with Kimberly, I think you're doing great.

Laine said...

Tonya, I should have this post on my own blog. If I ever start feeling that I never have anything thought-provoking or interesting to write, I remember why I started to blog. It is a personal family record. I have printed out pages and pages and I have them in a book for our family...and that is what I mainly blog for. I blog to keep family up-to-date on our lives, and so that I will remember the good (and sometimes not-so-good) stuff that we went through during these years. I guess it all depends on why you're blogging!

Anonymous said...

hi tonya:
STOP being so hard on yourself girl :)

okay, i think you are doing really good. and i like the notes and emails you send me. you have an attitude of gratitude and that comes through loud and clear. people with gratitude in their hearts are sweeter to spend time with. they/you bring peace and comfort to the days. if you stop telling yourself the negative and if you stop putting the extra pressure on yourself that you "have to" do a certain thing when you write/blog and just LET YOURSELF BE, just be ... you might find yourself relaxing more and enjoying more of what you write .. i know this is a killer run on ... and in doing that, you will probably enjoy the outcome even more.

blessings,
kathleen :)

Madam Crunchypants said...

Hi! I just came here from Cre8Buzz, where I am pickles. Also, I know Kimberly. She's a smart cookie.

My problem (with my blogger blog anyhow) is writing short posts. I started my blogger blog to improve my writing and become more habitual about it - because I had that goal from the get-go, I had a list of 'blog fodder' that I've worked from - basically 'the past and the boys who've consumed it'.

But anything can be a post - Sometimes with my livejournal, I try to think of the funniest thing that happened all day, and then that becomes my post. Sometimes it's a laundry list of what's going on in my life. Or just the garbage that's taking up space in my mind.

Dedee said...

Thanks for stopping by.

I don't write every day. That's how I do it.

:)

Rachel Keller said...

Tonya, your're the best! please don't question your ability to write. What you do with your blog pleases me and probably hundreds plus. You just type what comes to mind and it will flow from you. You must be a tid bit to hypercritical and watching what you say. I never read my own stuff, well, sometimes I do. But let me tell you, I have nothing but smiles on my face when I read yours so don't doubt yourself, if you can help it! I'm remembering you retelling a time with you and Blake in the car, when he's asking you if he can have a brother or sitste, that still has tears of laughter in my eyes. So, just shut it chick. You are the best! Hallalua that you've found an awesome life, now your job is to enjoy it and not pick on yourself while doing so... Just my opinion.

Lammy said...

I also do the write and save thing...
I've been going through a spell of bloggers block... but then I look through my archives and am ever grateful I never quit all together. It's great to see where I was and where I am now.
Sometimes an old post will spark a new one.
I too would love to hear your Blake-adoption story

Mo said...

Everyone blogs for different reasons. I do it mostly to focus my thoughts and say things I know can't be said out loud. I like to vent and work things out through blogging. Often I write what's in my head and read it, and it doesn't seem as bad or crazy or, at times, rational as it did while it was bouncing in my brain.
I make mental notes(or actual notes)all day of questions that pop into my head or things I want to know about. Sometimes it's just something funny I saw or something that sparks a memory. When I have a chance to sit down I just start typing. Sometimes it turns into nothing, sometimes it has a direction, and sometimes it's just too much for public consumption. I have a ton of saved drafts that will never be seen by anyone but me, but they sure helped me at the time. I like reading someone else's posts about mundane, everyday things because it reminds me that we're all in this together, it's not just me. As long as you're honest with yourself, you can't go wrong!!

Charlotte said...

I don't have any advice, but I just wanted to leave a comment to say that I really enjoy your blog. I love that the name of your blog is the sweet life, and that your profile talks about how life is so sweet for you. And I love how your posts are mostly upbeat, with just enough reality thrown in there so that it's believable. Even with the "reality" stuff though, you comment on it with optimism. I love that.