Try to avoid the temptation to copy instead of thinking harder.
We know who we are, and I venture to say that all of us have done it at one time or another. We see something that tickles our fancy, and we wish it were ours. It's smart, and we want to feel smart repeating it. We're too tired to dig down and drag some idea kicking and screaming to the surface.So we take someone else's idea and remold it.
I'm not talking plagiarism. I'm talking a discussion about an idea that's already been discussed. It's the same coat, just turned inside out and worn by somebody else.
Discussing news is grand. Giving it a new spin is good. But when absolutely everyone is talking about JK Rowling's latest release, you might want to think twice before falling into the crowd to repeat what's been said fifty different ways. Your readers read other blogs and publications, so they'd heard it before. When late-breaking news is hitting everyone's Facebook, blog and Tweet, take advantage of the opportunity to write your best, most unique, freshest material.
What better chance to shine?
(Have a great Fourth of July weekend!)
7 comments:
What a lovely picture, Hope. Thank you for brightening up my early morning!
So true. I'm always amazed when people ask if I worry about running out of things to write about. While I certainly experience "dry spells" I think the world is filled with infinite amount of writing ideas, you just have to dig a little bit at times.
Looking for opportunities to shine. Thanks, Hope. Happy 4th to you too!
And why in the world would Hope ever rely on regurgitating what everyone else is talking about, anyway? After all, there is lots to write about in Hopeville...There might be a spider's web in a corner of your house. There are some dregs from some tea in the bottom of the cup. There is lint in your bellybutton. All this is fodder for blog posts in Hopeville...
LOL - actually, you are quite right. Sit in the chair. Go over your day, your week, the room, the window, outdoors, indoors, your loves, your dislikes, etc. etc. Something comes together eventually. Hopeville...I like that.
This is something I struggle with continually: there is nothing new under the sun, so why should I say anything? Hasn't it all been said before, and probably better than I can say it? I wind up with analysis paralysis and say nothing. This is why blogging is so hard. Not that I can't write (I don't believe in writer's block either), but that, having written, I'm not convinced anyone will read.
Kristen
You improve your writing by ...writing more. Also, what is your voice all about? That's how you write in your blog as well. So people can recognize the quality of your work and want to read more of what you publish.
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