It’d be nice if blogs could write themselves while you focused on writing your next book, but it doesn’t quite work that way…yet. Never fear, the same techniques you use to generate fodder for your book writing, also work pretty darn well for your blog writing.
So as you sit at your desk with your cup of coffee pondering your next blog post, try these tricks:
1. Keep a record of your ideas
Just as you keep a notebook for those precious moments when you think of an intriguing book character, epiphany, phrase, or story idea, also keep a notebook for any blog ideas that come to you. This, especially comes in handy when your well of ideas runs dry. *Tip: We keep a working list of blog ideas in a Google Docs file. With Google Docs we’re able to access it from any computer and on our smartphones.
2. Interview people
As an author, you’ve likely interviewed people who helped your book in some way either as a resource or as inspiration for a character. This also works well for blogging. Interview potential readers to gather ideas about questions they have, solutions they’re in need of, and topics of interest to them.
3. Free Write
Can’t pinpoint a blog topic? Not to worry. Just start writing. You might not always have a game plan and that’s okay. Some of the best stories were born from a free writing session. As with book writing, insightful blogs are born from passion. Write from your gut and let come what may.
4. Ask yourself, “What do I want my readers to feel?”
Readers of both blogs and books ask the same question, “What’s in it for me?” As you would approach your book considering how you want your readers to feel and get from your book, approach your blog the same way.
5. Engage your reader’s senses
Good writers use language that appeal to a reader’s sense of smell, taste, sight, sound and touch. Your blog will be so much more colorful and engaging if you incorporate any of the five senses. In fact, doing this actually puts you miles ahead of the average blogger. Create visual aids, insert pictures and videos, illustrate scenes, and use vivid descriptions when possible.
6. Read the greats
As I’m sure you’ve developed a list of author idols–writers who inspire you–create a list of blogger idols and read their stuff religiously. As a writer, reading other fantastic writers only improves your own writing. Depending on your genre, there are likely insightful blogs in existence already speaking to your readership. Follow them, read their work, and keep abreast of the topics they write about. And then use what you can to make your own blog something rave-worthy.
7. Read out loud
Reading your work out loud is a writer’s secret and it never gets old. The rhythm of your words are important in your book and blog writing. As you complete each blog post read it to yourself aloud and the words and phrases that don’t work will often show themselves to you.
What are your book writing tricks? What are you blog writing tricks? Do they match up?
