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Carlos Velez writes thought-provoking articles illustrating his personal application of self-development principles on his blog Conscious Me. His writing process provides lessons for any writer, especially writers just starting out and those stepping up to the next level. In this second part of a two-article series, Carlos…
Pre-Writing Is Your Friend – With Benefits (Part 2)
-by Carlos Velez
Don’t play catch up on your blog. Don’t sit down and say “I’ve got to write a post and publish it today or I will be behind schedule.” Keep something in reserve.
Pre-Writing Benefit: Build Up A Stash Of Content
Pre-writing for a month or two will give you a stash of entries to get you started when you go live. You can schedule a week or two’s worth of entries on any blogging platform worth its salt. This will afford you many (vital) luxuries in your day to day blogging.
- You’re not pressured to write right now. If you have an unavoidable interruption in your day (sick kid, surprise visit, overflowing toilet), you can afford a brief break to deal with life, and resume your regular programming later.
- You have time to sit on it. Even after my writer friend edited my entries, I have done my own editing during the rewrite session and have made the entries much stronger. You’ll almost always find that you didn’t say everything to the best of your ability on your first try. You’ll get better quality content. And content is king, they say.
- You can take a vacation. Really. Go have fun, your blog is scheduled to operate without you.
- You can interact with your readers. It’s important. And you might need to devote a significant block of time to doing it. Allow yourself a certain time or a certain day where all you do is reach out. Reply to your commenters, send them emails, comment on other’s blogs, Tweet around. Blogging is a party, and we’re all invited. Don’t be a wallflower. Get a drink and join in. You’re going to find friends.
- You get the opportunity to read more blogs, giving you more inspiartion and links. Catch up on your RSS feed, and find a new blog or two to check out. Star the ones you might mention in an entry. This gives you more directions to connect. When you write a post, you’ll have more opportunities to link out. That’s blog love.
You need a stash. It makes blog life easier and more effective.
Attention Established Bloggers
If you don’t have a stash, and don’t revisit your posts before you publish them, start. Obviously, you don’t want to stop posting to pre-write for a month or two, so your approach will be different.
- Cut back your posting frequency just a bit. If you post daily, drop down to 5 times a week. Not so much that your readers are left in the lurch.
- Maintain your normal rate of writing. In the above example, you would still write 7 entries a week, but would only publish 5.
- Choose a post or two to save as a draft instead of publishing. After a month or two, depending on your frequency of posting/writing, you’ll have a nice little pot of content to dip into, sample, add flavoring to taste, and serve to your hungry readers.
- Use the scheduling function to automate your posting schedule. Once you’re finished with your entry, choose what day you want to publish it and forget about it. You job is done!
- Be free and happy. Write, talk, play as you like.
The All-Important Disclaimer
Pre-writing is not a license to shuffle your feet about publishing your blog, or your posts. It’s good to sit on your work briefly to give yourself time for a 2nd look, but direction, not perfection, is what matters. Don’t wait, live. Give yourself a short amount of time to pre-write and set a deadline. I will go live on ??/??/2010. Let us know your date of emergence. We need your blog! But we’re willing to wait a bit.
Carlos Velez is a writer with a full-time job on the side (for now!). He blogs about achieving goals and making change. Carlos’ blog, Conscious Me, allows readers to not only observe a journey to success in progress, but to participate and grow themselves.
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{ 38 comments }
I normally posts blogs everyday… But some of them are scheduled posts. Thanks to the scheduling feature… Sometimes, I failed to manage my time. I realized blogging is just my passion, I’m not sure yet where this passion gonna lead me. I think seriously of those highlighted keywords. What I like most is the last one- Be free and happy…
Cebu Tech Blogger´s last blog ..Microsoft Office 2010 RC Torrent Download
Where do you want your passion for blogging to lead you? I’ve been thinking a lot about “direction” these past couple months, and realizing that if we just take the first few steps, and then keep going, success in reaching our goals is inevitable. I have to remind myself constantly to keep taking the next step whenever I get overwhelmed or discouraged.
Maintaining passion isn’t something that is solved by just having enough. Sometimes we go bankrupt, and establishing good habits and routines can be our saving grace when the intensity of our passion is at a low point.
I am saying all this because in the past 10 days or so I’ve lost my momentum due to an unexpected period of re-evaluation and adjustment. It’s caused me to have to scrap some of the work I’ve done for Conscious Me, putting me back to a point where I need to build another stash of posts up and that’s discouraging. But this is going to be very good for my blog and it’s the direction I want to go. I will be relying on the habits that I started forming when all was going much smoother to help me get that ball rolling without too much effect on the daily flow of my blog.
Did you follow the “Be free and happy” link? that’s a great post by Kelly Diels. well worth a few minutes.
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..Guest Post For Website In A Weekend: Pre-Writing Is Your Friend – With Benefits (Part 2)
I think this is a perfect mistake. When I started blogging, I didn’t set a goal. I didn’t really realize how far I’m going into this, not until these days in which I’m more inclined and wanted to do more. I am inspired by those people who left their jobs because they render full time on blogging, and even making for the living. I think that’s also what I want. But I’m not ready yet… I still love my work… I read about Kelly’s article- well, I like it and it’s inspiring…
Cebu Tech Blogger´s last blog ..Microsoft Office 2010 RC Torrent Download
I believe that is a huge mistake. At the beginning you should set a goal. That will help you speed things up!
I’ve thought and even written about this kind of “blog post buffer”, which would contain at least two weeks worth of posts (to help you take a break, free time during the weekdays and/or take a vacation if needed). I had it going for very short time, as I was trying to “fill the buffer”, but it was a struggle…
For me the trouble was that I tried to keep my frequency, I kept putting out posts as before, when cutting back just one would have helped me get the queue going in just couple of weeks.
So I think the tips you have to established bloggers are great, and I’m sure to put those into use and finally start pre-writing for real and not just dream about it.
Another habit I’m working on to develop is write multiple posts on one go, preferably during the weekend, so I could use my time on week for something else. Combining this with pre-writing (so the posts I write this weekend, would actually go out 1-2 weeks later). And by doing this, I could even re-organize the posts if needed, if one or more posts fill some “cap” in the schedule nicely.
Antti Kokkonen´s last blog ..Give it Away for Free
Antti, I have some articles and tips on how to do this. I WILL be getting in touch with, promise.
It’s a solid practice to implement. I’d really like to know how this works for you in the coming weeks.
I am back in the same boat as I mentioned in my reply to BertPadilla above. One reason is that I over posted a little in January, often posting 3 times a week when a better frequency for me right now is 2 times a week because I’m just so excited to put it out t here. The second reason is having completely shifted gears on big project I was working on and starting almost from scratch.
How would you like to work out an accountability agreement? We could both make a commitment to building up 2 weeks worth of posts and check in with each other every day or every other day.
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..The Wu-Tang Plan, Part 2. C.R.E.A.M: Can blogging Really Earn Any Money?
Carlos, that is too funny. One of the reasons I’ve had trouble getting this going is that when I finish a post I can’t wait to put it out there, so excited every time, just like you
I putting this into action on the weekend, and I’ll write all posts for the week (which would probably be 3) + 1 extra (or more if I get the flow on). I have the option to use the extra energy and time on the weekdays to write additional posts, and with that I will have 2 weeks worth of posts within a month.
So I’m definitely game for the “challenge” to get this going, but I’m setting weekly goals for it, not so much every 1-2 days.
You guys rock!
Dr Wordpress!´s last blog ..Pre-Writing Is Your Friend – With Benefits (Part 1)
Pre-writing is really rock! I have about ten article in my laptop right now because of pre-writing. It is surely very useful if i can not keep my writing speed with my posting schedule. And i also can use the article as guest posting in other blog.
Dana @ Blogging Update´s last blog ..This Blog Officially is in Atahualpa 3.4.5 Now
Dana, look for Paul Brians website on English, you’re really working, man, and that website will help. I use it all the time myself.
Dr Wordpress!´s last blog ..Romance & Misery, Your Blog is Calling (It’s that dang Week in Review)
that’s awesome dana! come join the challenge, help us out and build up your stash.
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..About The Pre-Writing Challenge: This Will Greatly Benefit You Bloggers
This is one cool idea. This so far doesn’t apply to me yet as I have yet to really find the time to devote to my blog as I’m still holding on to my daytime job (at least until my sites earn me enough to live with). At the moment, the most I could output is a measly 9 posts per month [face turns red]. And it’s true that I do get stressed up at the experience of forcing myself to come up with a post in an hour’s time just because the last post had been way way long ago. Anyway, I think I’d start building up the ’stash’ by setting a goal of 2 posts instead of the usual 1 each time an inspiration hits me. From there, I’d increment by 1. Little by little does the trick, I suppose.
James Moralde´s last blog ..USB Switch Box: Multi-tasking Aid
Dude! please don’t let that stop you. My regular posting schedule is 2 per week. I’ve got a couple extra this week simply because two of them were just links to these guest posts. My goal in this challenge will be to write 1 or 2 extra posts each week, giving me 4-8 extra posts by the end of the month long challenge (yes, I decided on 1 month for time frame, everyone, you’ll get the memo).
You’ll be amazed at what you’ll accomplish with some perfectly honed pressure. This is going to be an awesome experience, sharing and linking, and updating each other. Don’t miss out. You’ve never felt this kind of positive pressure to write.
And the people that have signed up already are freaking stellar. If you don’t know them already, you’re going to like them. This is an all star cast. Do it man.
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..About The Pre-Writing Challenge: This Will Greatly Benefit You Bloggers
I do the same thing as Carlos and Antti – I like to get things out RIGHT NOW.
What I have in my queue, though – that often saves me – is a whole bunch of almost finished posts, and poetic little snippets that I’ve cut out of other posts in the name of clean copy. (Must admit though, that in the dailiness of blogging, I take “clean copy” very, very lightly.)
These fragments mean that if I’m stuck, I can usually take half an hour or an hour to polish up something I’ve got, already.
It isn’t as convenient as having a queue, but it helps.
Thanks for the linky love, Carlos. I liked this series.
Kelly, I found Carlos because you linked to him way back on one of your ProBlogger articles.
Which I had completely forgotten about until I was rereading some of your work there.
So that’s really cool.
You’re quite welcome. Thanks for your’s which got me plugged into this wacky group.
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..About The Pre-Writing Challenge: This Will Greatly Benefit You Bloggers
You’ve always got such great things to say, Carlos. It amazes me. You’re giving life advice even in the comments.
I wholly agree with what you said about maintaining passion. I’ve been projecting my blog ideas out two weeks in advance, but I still keep finding myself scrambling to get the post written the night before. It’s exhausting, and it really doesn’t need to be.
The sad thing is, I read this post more than a month ago (when you asked me to proofread it), but I still haven’t put the advice into practice.
If you’re still looking for an accountability agreement, I could really use one.
Aaron Pogue´s last blog ..Editorial Post (Technical Writing Exercise)
Thanks Aaron…yes I am up for another accountability partner! Read below.
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..A Case Study (me) of the Law of Attraction, Part 1: My Definition
Okay everyone…I’m feeling some wacky inspiration going on. Get started on developing your 2 week cache of posts because over the next few days I am going to put together a Pre-Writing Challenge that will culminate with everyone involved getting a lot of link love, traffic, new relationships with other bloggers and of course an extra 2 weeks worth of drafts ready to be posted.
If you’re interested, you’ll have to commit to writing hardcore for a few weeks and updating your readers on the progress of the Challenge as a whole. Details to come…let me know if you want in.
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..Guest Post For Website In A Weekend: Pre-Writing Is Your Friend – With Benefits (Part 2)
Haha! Anything that will me clear 80+ drafts my in queue. Some of these are really close, too.
80+ doesn’t count the fragments and scraps (what Kelly wrote about) I have scattered hither and yon.
Dr Wordpress!´s last blog ..How To Rapidly Create Pillar Content For Your Blog
I’m in (of course). I already made a “who’s up for the challenge” post to my posterous, which I use as “extended blog commenting platform”, posting additional thoughts and posts that came to me when I was leaving a blog comment… anyway, the link is below (ComLuv link)…
Carlos – Let me know when you have “official” announcement on the challenge, and I’ll be updating my posts on the subject.
Antti Kokkonen´s last blog ..Blogging Challenge – Pre-Write 2 Weeks Worth of Blog Posts
Awesome! I’m working frantically on it right now with a big grin on my face because this is going to be a blast! I’ll hit everyone who’s commented on this post up with the main Pre-Writing Challenge page soon.
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..Guest Post For Website In A Weekend: Pre-Writing Is Your Friend – With Benefits (Part 1)
I’m a bit excited about this, Carlos. I hope I can participate… Can’t wait for the updates…
Cebu Tech Blogger´s last blog ..Microsoft Office 2010 RC Torrent Download
the challenge is on! go check it out and send me an email to sign up.
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..About The Pre-Writing Challenge: This Will Greatly Benefit You Bloggers
Sure, why not. I’m in.
I’ve got tomorrow’s post scheduled, and the drafts of my 2 posts after that, and it feels pretty nice.
A little extra work isn’t gonna scare me off, and a 2-week buffer sounds pretty nice.
Deacon´s last blog ..101 things I learned from making 101 prints, Part 2
you’re totally an artist…so chill, so cool. thanks for jumping on this. I really appreciate it.
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..About The Pre-Writing Challenge: This Will Greatly Benefit You Bloggers
Excellent guest post and excellent tips, I was on a rip for a while where I would release 5 articles a day every single day. Recently I’ve toned it down, I can’t say that it’s by choice but I have. My brick and mortar business’s are in season which is eating up a ton of time right now.
Extreme John´s last blog ..A Day in the Life of.. Episode 1 [video]
Thanks John, that’s awesome that you’re regularly writing a few articles a day. That kind of consistency is admirable and inspiring. It’s so easy to let “life” get in the way.
I’ve got a challenge going on for people to up their draft queue to build a 2 week buffer and get some backlinks and make some friends at the same time. If you’re interested check out my “About The Pre-Writing Challenge” post for more details.
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..About The Pre-Writing Challenge: This Will Greatly Benefit You Bloggers
I too like to get stuff out as soon as it is finished. I still have been trying to get a 3 post buffer set up but I am not sure if it is time or motivation that is keeping me from writing more. I do have a scheduled queue of fiction for Saturday’s so I don’t have to write then. It is too hard to do saturday writing with everything else. Thanks for the great ideas.
Justin
Justin Matthews´s last blog ..Groundhog was wrong, It’s time for Yardwork!
that’s awesome man, what kind of fiction do you do? Aaron writes fiction novels too, you should hit him up. thanks for joining the challenge.
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..About The Pre-Writing Challenge: This Will Greatly Benefit You Bloggers
Carlos, I am new to the blogging world and this is the article I have been looking for, for direction. It’s been hard after these first two weeks of blogging to think of new, fresh content. How should I go about that. I don’t what to rip off someone else’s content, but original thinking is hard, even though it’s not truly original. the content in my brain go there from another medium. I just don’t want to step on other’s toes. Thanks for the inspiration.
dude, if you’re new to blogging, you’re at the right site. the best way to get started on writing is just to plunge into it. Do this challenge with us (see the comment below) and just start writing. It’s inevitable that your first foray into posting are going to be less than stellar, in fact you might end up thinking they’re crap, but the important thing is to do it anyway. I promise you will improve in amazingly short amounts of time if you just keep rockin’ it every day.
write every day
write every day
write every day
for 20 minutes if that’s all you’ve got. if you’ve got nothing to say, just start writing about nothing
I don’t know what the heck to write about, my mind is totally blank like a blank slate, slate the color, color is vivid like dreams, but I don’t believe in dreams, dreams are supposed to represent our unconscious thoughts, but my dreams seem too obvious for that. Sometimes there’s meaning in simple things. Sometimes there’s so much meaning in simple things that I have to stop and just pay attention to the tiniest details. —Hey, now that sounds like a start to a blog about something meaningful. then just run with it. the important thing is that you train your brain to write.
go sign up for the challenge…it will be awesome, I promise!
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..About The Pre-Writing Challenge: This Will Greatly Benefit You Bloggers
I also realize I didn’t really answer you’re question…sheesh. I will get back with you about that by tomorrow…got dinner to make and eat right now.
again, you’re at the right place for starting a blog. Website In A Weekend has a rather ridiculous amount of top quality content that’s beautifully organized and well written.
for intensive help with the art of writing, go see Aaron at unstressedsyllables.com. He’s got a lot to teach.
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..The Wu-Tang Plan, Part 5. C.R.E.A.M: Carlos gets Really Excited About Marketing
In my experience, the more I read, the more ideas I get.
Dr Wordpress!´s last blog ..Saturday Morning Surfing: Jerry the Plumber and His Bad Day
Okay, it’s up! Go to About The Pre-Writing Challenge” for the scoop and to find out how to join.
This challenge will not only give you a 2 week’s supply of drafts to lean on, it will also give you a great chance to make some new blogging friends, get a lot of backlinks and new traffic, and improve your seo. Plus it’s going to be a ton of fun! Read the post and send me an email…Go!
Carlos Velez´s last blog ..About The Pre-Writing Challenge: This Will Greatly Benefit You Bloggers
You call it pre-writing. Dave calls it by another name. It’s here somewhere in his archives. Okay, you guys have me painted in a corner. It’s utterly senseless keeping the habit of blogging in hand-to-mouth mode. Time to do something about that.
Jan, this will be fun!
Dr Wordpress!´s last blog ..10 Ways to Link to Comments – Keep the discussion rolling!
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