Wednesday, March 24, 2010

The unpolished Truth

I really tried. Honest I did.

But trying to write my blogs ahead of time just doesn't work for me.

Why?

Because I feel like I've lost who I am when I do. Like I've lost my voice. The reason I started blogging was to put down my thoughts as they occured. Not write some article for a magazine.

So this is me.

And I write about writing and what's happening in that area and I throw in some stuff about me too just because if you knew me in real life . . .you'd understand.

I talk. I share. I'm blunt and I'm real.

So here's my post news today: I'm meeting Janna and Jessica (two of my favorite blogging/writing friends) Friday night for dinner!

Now that's some writing news.

How do you keep your blog real?

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Meeting two of your blogging friends for dinner Friday night? Have a wonderful time! I'm being lead to other writers, and have been thrilled so far of all the connections I have found through blogging, even though I have not physically met many of these people! By adding something personal on your blog, it does make it more real. And more inviting.

I look forward to hearing about your Friday night.

Jennifer Shirk said...

Have a GREAT time at dinner!!! Wish I could come!

Don't beat yourself up about your blog. REAL blogs that are heartfelt like yours are what keep most people returning to read them.
That's why I'm here now. :)

Unknown said...

That sounds like great fun...I'm sure you ladies will have a nice time.

I probably keep my blog TOO real because I am basically transparent. I am honest to a fault and share almost everything with my blogging friends! Hopefully I wouldn't seem or appear any different if you met me in real life than I do on my blog!

God bless Terri!

Krista Phillips said...

I try (tried) to preplan my blog too. I didn't do TOO bad... but I just couldn't make it work most days. I'd change my mind the night before, and post something different!

I went down to blogging 2 times per week instead of 3... and that's helped MUCH more than preplanning!

Arlee Bird said...

I post ahead of time. Sometimes I'll write up a piece and set for auto post a week or more ahead of time. I do treat my pieces like they were articles much of the time. I typically don't use my blog as a journal but if I feel moved to do so I try to connect something about my life with those of the readers. What I write is real either personally pertaining to me, something I feel, or something I've done research about. Hopefully I never come across as phony. I try to present material in my blog space that I would like to read --- kind of a golden rule of blogging sort of thing. I feel good about the pieces I've written and that makes it real to me.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

By writing from a current emotion or experience. I don't back date too much or try and manufacture events o make a good post. I just write from where I'm at... a practice that has always served me best.

peace~elaine

Jill Kemerer said...

Ahh!! You're going to have SO much fun! I wish I could come too, but I'm a little far away. (Have you noticed I'm an invite-myself-without-an-invitation gal? Not pretty!)

Have a great time!

Kara said...

Oh I wish I could have dinner with you all too! Come to Texas:) Have fun!
And I try to do my post ahead of time and so far it is not working for me either:)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

What fun that you get to see your blogging buddies!

I love the scheduling feature because it lowers my stress level. Like writing a novel, we all have our favorite methods. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Andrea said...

God bless you, sweetie. I can not pre-write my posts, either. It just doesn't work for me.
Hope you have fun with your blogging friends, Friday.
Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
andrea

Christine said...

Have fun! I'm so glad you get to relax after the work week!

My posts help me sort out what's going on in my head; it wouldn't work to write them ahead of time.

Heidi Willis said...

Getting together with other writers and bloggers can be heady! :) I hope you have a very well deserved evening of fun!! You've had it a bit rough lately.

I tried the ahead-of-time thing too and it just doesn't work for me either. I like the off-the-cuff bloggers who just write what's going on in their lives right now.

Tamika: said...

Now that sounds like loads of fun! I'm with Jill- if I lived close enough I would invite myself!

I love your blog Terri- thanks for being you.

Karen Lange said...

I keep it real by being myself when I write. It's much easier than trying to be someone else:)

Have fun at dinner!
Blessings,
Karen

Susan R. Mills said...

How cool is that????? Have a great time. And I love that you keep your blog real.

Great Grandma Lin said...

well I write ahead of time then schedule them to post daily. I do go in and revise them before they post sometimes-making my blog posts more real...lol! Whatever works is great-we are each unique.

Anonymous said...

As long as it comes from my heart. If I feel it, I write it down and if possible share it with my friends. It might not be with me at the center stage always but if I feel it, I share it....:)

Have a nice time!

Katie Ganshert said...

Have fun at dinner! How exciting to get to chat it up with fellow writers!

I keep my blog real by being as transparent as possible.

Happy Thursday,
Katie

Lynda Lee Schab said...

I struggle with this! I like to plan ahead but often find myself scrambling for a topic at the last minute. Too much brain clutter, I think. I just need to relax and let the ideas flow. Easier said than done. :-)

Marianne Arkins said...

I've tried to do the same thing... but it doesn't feel right. :::shrugs:::

I like keeping it real, and real for me is rambling *G*

Cheryl Wright said...

By not following a strict posting schedule like four or three times a week.

I've tried it but it is so constricting and stressful, keeping to the deadline of my weekly column or some other assignment.

For me, blogging should be relaxed, whimsical even and stress-free, sort of like meeting with friends and sharing ideas, stray thoughts, practical information and achievements other people have made as well as those we are making in our lives and our work.

Heather Sunseri said...

i'm the same way, Terri! I have a very difficult time writing posts ahead of time.

That is so exciting about your dinner with blogging friends! Have an amazing time!!

Gina Conroy said...

Terri, I'm kind of like you. I write what I feel, even if what I'm feeling isn't positive...but I used to write posts ahead of time because I had a lot to write about. Now, I feel I don't have much to say or more accurately don't have time to express my feelings in words. Sigh! But that's okay. We need to embrace whatever blogging season we're in!

Heckety said...

I think what one writes depends both on where you are coming from as well as going to. You do what suits you, and I honestly doubt you will lose any followers if your posts go sporadic for a bit- you do have rather a lot to contend with at present.
Isn't there a Shakespeare quote about 'to thine own self be true...' and then something or other following? (Really literate, amn't I?!)

Jill said...

I try to write my posts as though I'm talking to friends right at that moment. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I hope you all have a great dionner tomorrow night!

Greg C said...

I have a file where I store ideas for future blog posts. I found like you did that you need to write when the mood hits you so when I think of something I want to blog about I jot it down. Sometimes the mood leaves me and I never get it back so I delete these one liners but sometimes I develop them into blog posts. That's how I do it.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I think you're totally rea. Have a ton of fun at dinner....blogging for me? I sit and write whatever pops into my head...

Jeanette Levellie said...

Oh, I am trying not to be jealous, Terri. I want to meet Janna and Jessica, too! WAhhhhhhh!

I am comforted by the possibility of metting Cindy Wilson in August when I fly to Colorado...

I'm glad you're real and spontaneous--it keeps your blog fresh and exciting. We love you just the way you are.

How do I keep my blog fresh? I schedule posts, but if something comes up, I bump one out of the schedule and post what's goin' on right now.

Like I did today. Hop on over and see my princess necklace and enter a $30 giveaway at Twillypop.

Love you,
Jen

patti said...

Oooh, I am SOOOO jealous!!!
Have fun!
Oh, that question.
Just asking the great Counselor to help me post what He would like me to share.

Patti

Unknown said...

Congrats on your up-coming dinner!! I'm with you, Terri, I write about things that have happened pretty recently. I love sharing what God is up to in my life now. He's alive and active!! Have a great dinner and a blessed weekend!!

Nancy said...

Your posts always seem so current, so you must be doing something right. I would love to be there, too. Say hi to them from me and have a great timme.

Janna Leadbetter said...

I can't wait, Terri! Counting down the hours...

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

I blog from the heart. Thanks so much for the follow! Love having new blogger buddies! :)

Warren Baldwin said...

I try writing about life issues. Currrent post is a true story about a mother who betrayed her daughter's trust. Intentionally.

Also, I find reading feeds me ideas to keep writing about.

Clementine said...

I read where Elana Johnson writes all of her posts the weekend before. If she hadn't revealed that, I would have never known. But I know what you mean, I tend to lose myself too. I've had a very difficult time sticking to one blog schedule. I post whenever I get to it, and when I have something to say. There's oodles of great blogs about the tricks of the trade, but my blog is about my journey and my little piece of the writing world. There's no one that can blog about that other than me because it's mine. Sounds like words of wisdom from a two year old, doesn't it? lol!

Nishant said...

Just asking the great Counselor to help me post what He would like me to share.
home jobs india

jdsanc said...

I cannot blog ahead. I know a lot of people do, but I so cannot commit myself to something that prepared. I never know what I am going to blog about next time. In fact, I don't blog until I have something to say. I read blogs, but I don't just put something out just because it's Monday. But that's just me. And you. And many others.
Keeping it real...

Kathleen said...

I'm just getting caught up on my blog visits, and this one really hit a chord with me.

I must say I visit a LOT of bloggers, and the ones that touch my heart the most are those that keep it real, and brief.

I love a peak into a person's heart, which is why I try to do that with my own. I'm also working on saying more with fewer words. Ugh!

Hugs,
Kathleen