OOPSIE DOOPSIE

My computer bit the big one last week. It’s RIDICULOUS how attached we become to technology, but really, it was more than that…it held a LOT of information, like tons of pictures dating back to 2010, design files, word docs up the wazu, downloaded goodness…so. many. pictures. {Please wait while I pick up my heart off the floor…}

We are still going to see if there is a way to retrieve this data but during my down time, I started thinking about how this time away from a home computer helped re-energize the writing process of this part-time blogger. It opened my mind to a new process that I believe will allow me to craft more thoughtful, intentional posts. So far, the process is working out great.

01. Grab a notebook, a pen + 30 minutes of quiet time.

Outside influences help me with the brainstorming process. I’m a huge fan. However, the moment I grab my notebook, a pen and a quiet place for at least 30 minutes, my thoughts really start to come together. During this time, I’m able to outline the post or begin the draft. I’ve found that those first moments of quiet really help you focus on what your initial goal is for the post. Getting those thoughts out and then just starting to write  just to write about this topic for 30 uninterrupted minutes helps me a lot.

02. Give the post a “live” date.

This could absolutely go hand-in-hand with an editorial calendar, however for me, the editorial calendar process is more of a living document, changing as it goes and not plotted out too far in advance. An idea may suddenly come to me, something that really sparks my interest or a post that is relevant to our community. I absolutely welcome this. When this happens, I start to think about when I hope to have the post published and how many days I will give myself to draft the post.

03. Limit the number of “active” posts.

Several posts could undergo the drafting process concurrently, but most of the time, I only allow myself to focus on two posts at once. The rest of these will go on a master brainstorm list that will may be considered later and perhaps drafted at a later date.

{Not every idea that gets put down on paper makes the cut. Why? Well, time. And it’s possible several brainstorming sessions morphed into one dynamite post.}

04. Type it up + let it sit.

About two days before the post is scheduled to go live, I will type up the post and let it sit. For me, the wait time is 24 hours. It will sit in my drafts while I think about what I composed, what I hoped to achieve. I ask myself if I was able to convey my entire thought or if I left an avenue unexplored. This 24 hour rest period is not about editing; it’s about making sure the post is complete.

05. Revisit + add (if necessary).

DING! Post is ready. After the 24 hours , I’ll check this baby out and read it over, revisit notes I took and add/cut out elements that will benefit my little ol’ post.

I want to make sure I can shout “YES!” to at least one of the five questions:

Is it relatable? // Is it timely? // Is it for your readers? // Is there a benefit? // Would I enjoy reading this?

06. EDIT

And then of course there’s the edit. Up until now, I just added and deleted content, not really paying attention to the flow, style or images that could work with the post. Now is that time. I’ll read it a few times making edits as I go, take a breather – work on the image(s) and come back to read/edit again.

07. Go on – hit Publish!

And there you have it. It’s ready for me to publish or schedule.

Does every post go through this process? No.
Do I think one of my posts is better if it does? Yes.
It’s given that extra dose of care.

I find having a very simple process helps with 1. not feeling overwhelmed by the need to get a post out RIGHT NOW and 2. providing content that I would want to read and eager to share with all of you. Of course everyone’s process is different. And trust me – there are days when I just type up a post, maybe edit and hit publish. I definitely have those “share” moments and it’s gotta come out!! And that’s great, too. It’s about balance. {As is with everything, amIright?}

What’s your writing process?

Linking up with Tiffany!