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Draft Articles

Posted by celticmusicfan • 9/23/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blogging, drafts, writer's block, writing

Since iratedog mentioned about struggling from writer's block which is common to us, an inspiration hit me. What can yous say about draft articles? There are times when we know we have a tendency to procrastinate or get lazy. What I usually do is I write something...maybe an outline and keep it on my draft posts. And when I have nothing to write, I publish any of those draft posts. Any thoughts ? Does this sound less sincere and more 'mechanical"?

User Comments

9/23/09

TJlubrano

Hello Celtic! Yes I have a lot of drafts in my Dashboard. But the thing is that I just keep adding new stuff hehe ^_^.

I don't think it's less sincere or more mechanical though. In my case, sometimes I have too many ideas floating around and a way to get it out of my head is too make a quick draft or sketch. That way I won't run around the house, if I remember that I was thinking about something cool and I can't recall it anymore haha.

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1. 9/23/09
  
  celticmusicfan
  
  Wow really? Ha! I was thinking about it and you're way ahead already Thanks for your insight. I will keep that in mind
2. 9/23/09
  
  TJlubrano
  
  You're very welcome. Most of my drafts are about drawings I made or an idea I have, so that's why I have these drafts floating around ^_^. I also have tons of doodles & scribbles on paper hehe.
3. 9/23/09
  
  celticmusicfan
  
  Wow sounds like it's gonna give a lot of fortune someday
4. 9/23/09
  
  TJlubrano
  
  Hahaha we shall see ^_^
9/23/09

timethief

I think the idea of having draft posts on the back burner is a good strategy for all bloggers to employ. Until this summer when I became every ill, I did have a large number of draft posts I could publish when I did not feel inspired to create new ones, or when I did not have the time to do so. I outlined ideas in the drafts, did some basic research and included links in them. Then on the days I decided to use them, I picked up where I had left off, did more research and writing, and fleshed them out into posts that I published.

[reply]
1. 9/23/09
  
  celticmusicfan
  
  Thank you for expounding on this timethief. Doing a writing 'architecture' is not my strong point because I tend to write through instinct with references on the side and I shall keep that in mind. I have so far an artist's interview waiting in my mailbox and another coming in and I realized this is a good time in making those draft posts because one will never know when he is going to get very busy.
9/23/09

DailyBeerReview

Personally, I have like 30 drafts on my blog. Many, however, are nothing more than a few phrases to remind me of the idea I had. I use it more as an idea resource (versus paper scraps) to keep organized and not forget. Some have a few links, some are just links to spark ideas, and some are the beginnings of posts that will take more time and thought than others.

I feel a little like it's cheating since my blog is titled Daily Beer Review, but too bad.

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1. 9/23/09
  
  celticmusicfan
  
  Wow 30? That is impressive.This is very encouraging. Thank you.
9/23/09

Rivy

I don't draft 'em but I am a constantly frustrated artist who jots things and place 'em here and tuck 'em there, seeing each as too good to toss (tossed too much in my life) but not hot enough to pursue further. I am thinking about just rambling on my blog, putting down whatever I do, think. Write about writing, about not writing, blog about not blogging, toss in my cuss symbols, sketch a blanky face, a folded hand, whatever...just, JUST put it down and in.

[reply]
1. 9/23/09
  
  DailyBeerReview
  
  You just described my blog, minus the drinking.
2. 9/23/09
  
  celticmusicfan
  
  I like your "place 'em here and tuck 'em there".I watched this biopic film called "Almost Famous" and in the older days, writers or magazine reviewers have a lot of notes or sketches they keep somewhere. That should work. Seeing that idea flourish into an article.
9/23/09

MidwestMom

I know this may sound crazy. But I can't stand to have unpublished drafts in my draft folder. It seems so -- incomplete -- to me. And so, I find it unnerving. (Like I said... crazy.)

Instead, I keep a collection of journals here and there, and when I'm in a situation where I have to wait (the bank, the doctor, my son's soccer practice) I scribble in the notebook.

It makes me feel a little bit like Harriet the Spy, but hey. Those notebooks are my saving grace when I'm short on inspiration.

[reply]
1. 9/23/09
  
  celticmusicfan
  
  That's another good idea. At least keeping an outline will give you an idea what to do if you ever run out of something to write.
9/23/09

crpitt

I have a few draft posts, that are hardly drafts at all, just usually thread titles or ideas.

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9/23/09

christibroer

I have more drafts than I can count! I find the ideas come and then I write like mad! Then either through editing or letting them sit a few days and getting something inspiring to finish the job they get done...most of the time that is! :-)

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