Pen & Paper - The Bloggers Friend
One of my pet hates is writers block. There is nothing worst than sitting down at your computer to write a post only to find your mind is blank and you have no idea what to write about. I try and be as efficient as I can with the time I spend working online therefore I take steps to avoid writers block.
The best way to avoid writers block is to stay in touch with your topic. Read magazines related to the topic your blog covers, participate in forums which are related to it and subscribe to newsbreaking blogs in your niche. Bottom line, the more time you spend reading about your blogs topic, the less likely you are to struggle to think of things to write about on your own blog.
I have spoke about the benefits of using newsreaders and forums before but today I want to talk about a lesser known blogging tool, the ever reliable pen. In todays world we sometimes put technology ahead of efficiency. There are many great scripts available which let you save your blog drafts and ideas online but for me it’s more efficient to jot down ideas on a piece of paper.
If you travel a lot then a small notepad which can fit in your pocket or bag would be great for noting down any ideas you have for blog posts when you are out and about. Whenever I go away for the weekend or on holiday I have a notebook in my backpack however when I’m at home through the week I just keep a piece of A4 paper next to my laptop at all times. If I get a few ideas for posts but only have time to write one post I will write down something to remind me about it (usually the name of the post or general idea). I also find it handy when it’s late and I’m too tired to write a post or when I get an idea just before I leave the house.
I do still save drafts in my WordPress admin panel to remind me to write posts but I think it’s much better to have something tangible in front of you. The more you blog, the more you try and tweak your blogging routine so that it’s efficient and productive.
I’m sure many of you already keep a pen and paper close by but for those who don’t, I recommend trying it out as it’s a good habit to develop 
David Shaw | June 19th, 2008 at 11:58 am #
I have a small book, on the top of each page there is a post title that I am working on.
Everytime I am on the bus, cant sleep, etc - Just open the book and add bullet points.
That means that by the time it comes to writing a post I usually have a title and my key points already, then usually just need to do some research and source resources.
I find this the most effective method.
Gregg Marshall | June 19th, 2008 at 1:31 pm #
My favorite carry around is a FlipNote. It’s a small metal case held closed by a pen and contains a small pad of paper. It is indestructible and always with me.
http://www.wellspringgift.com/
Tom - StandOutBlogger.com | June 19th, 2008 at 3:16 pm #
I think I might actually clear my whiteboard off, and start listing blog topics on their for all my blogs. Thanks for the inspiration!
Kevin Muldoon (Post Author) | June 19th, 2008 at 4:30 pm #
David - That’s a good idea. I need to use bullet points more often. Usually my notes are more erratic haha. Like a post title and then points near it with arrows pointing back to the title.
Gregg- That sounds good. That site is down for me though I’m sure there are similar products available.
Tom - I have a pinboard in my other room but a whiteboard would be pretty good. That would really be handy for putting ideas down. I’m tempted to get one now!
David Shaw | June 19th, 2008 at 6:27 pm #
I have been so close to buying a whiteboard on many occasions, just is not very portable, was going to use it to set myself goals on tho!
Kevin | June 19th, 2008 at 6:41 pm #
I keep a notepad by my nightstand. When i get an idea I jot it down and I have an easier time falling asleep.
Woody | June 19th, 2008 at 7:03 pm #
I have a blank pad of paper and pen nearby, especially when watching tv. There’s always a news story or commercial that gives me an idea and I like to write it down.
biorhythm | June 20th, 2008 at 4:12 am #
But I thought a laptop is the areal friend of blogger.
veb | June 20th, 2008 at 5:55 am #
Nice my friend..
I hate when I sit in front of computer and all of my ideas that I’ve been thinking before gone…
From now I will get book and pen to accompany me
caladohelena | June 20th, 2008 at 9:20 am #
It isn’t easy to have ideas, specially related with my blog topic, where all the texts, photos and videos are made by me.
But like you, my ideas can come from something I remember in a moment, like driving, or by reading a magazine and visit a forum or another blog.
Joseph Z. | June 20th, 2008 at 9:53 am #
When I can’t come up with the right words I find that writing things down with a pen (either trying for the sentences I want or just the skeletal idea) helps me a lot.
Link Building Bible | June 20th, 2008 at 1:28 pm #
I have horrible handwriting, so I just use notepad…. if i think of something at work, i usually jot it down, or just e-mail my home email address, and then write about it.