On techniques for writing longer posts

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On techniques for writing longer posts

In the past I’ve been very much a stream of consciousness writer. That is to say, an idea will pop into my head or something will happen and I’ll sit down and write about it then and there, and post it when finished (after a quick proof read).

This has a couple of implications – if I’m too busy to write when that something happens then I often forget to write about it. I’ll often make notes and points along the lines of “Hey, I should write about that”, but often find it hard to come back and get excited about it when I’m not in the thick of doing whatever it was that prompted the thought (often I’m inspired by seemingly simple problems which don’t seem to have good solutions floating about online).

Recently however I’ve wanted to cover topics where my ideas need to be processed and formulated over long periods of time. I’ve started creating a lot of drafts in Windows Live Writer (I love Live Writer) containing posts in various states and chip away at them when I have the time/inclination.

This is fine, but I’m feeling like adding a bit of routine/discipline to the writing process could help get me into a regular routine.

So I ask, what techniques do the writers among you use?

Tags: Ross Hawkins, Windows Live Writer

Print | Posted on Saturday, June 19, 2010 11:53 PM |

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# re: On techniques for writing longer posts

I recognize this problem. I too have this constant stream of thoughts and ideas that I want to write about. I capture them in a "toblog"list. Quite often when I revisit a topic on there, I am way less excited as when I came up with it.

I don't really have a solution for this. I only blog about things that either are spontaneous or that withstand the test of time (in my toblog list that is). I hardly ever draft a topic though, I just capture a few keywords and write the article in full from scratch.

6/21/2010 10:09 PM | Ferdy

# re: On techniques for writing longer posts

Ferdy your approach is exactly what I'm doing right now. Having things in draft seems to break the writing flow, so I'm wondering if setting aside an hour or two (or three, or four!) regularly to write is going to be the way to go. At the moment I feel like I've not really written anything of value for quite some time, and I don't really feel too positive about that!

6/22/2010 3:32 AM | Ross Hawkins

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About me

My name is Ross Hawkins and I'm a developer, consultant, business owner and writer based in Auckland, New Zealand (pictured below!). My current work revolves around ASP.NET, C#, jQuery, Ajax, SQL Server, and a mix of other Microsoft development technologies.

I also have about 15 years of experience with IBM Lotus Notes/Domino and associated technologies. While Notes/Domino is no longer my primary focus I still like to dabble and keep my skills up to date.

I own and run 2 businesses - Hawkins Consulting Services, and Ignition Development.

Bethells Beach, located in sunny West Auckland, New Zealand

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