6 Signs You’re Writing Something Remarkable
Posted on November 30, 2007
Filed Under Meta-Blogging |
Image Credit: Purple Mountains Majesty
That knot in your stomach is a sign you’re doing something right.
Jon Morrow, of On Money Making, wrote a guest post on Copyblogger giving the 7 Warning Signs That You’re Drunk on Your Own Words, which compares the state of creative flow to being drunk.
For professional, business oriented blogs, his column offers rock-solid advice. It’s also a perfect illustration of one of the reasons I started this site.
Sites like Copyblogger are targeted almost exclusively towards business, marketing, and those using their blogging to leverage or create a business. Almost no attention is paid to the needs of those of us that merely wish to entertain.
Although Jon’s advice is might work well for business oriented bloggers, I think that it’s wrong, and potentially harmful, when it comes to those of us who have the primary goal of providing entertainment value.
I’ll give Jon his third point about actual intoxication, since I don’t wish to endorse substance abuse. It can result in a crippling and debilitating state that revolves around seeking the next fix.
Having granted Jon his one point, to me the remainder of the list looks like six signs of a creative flow. From that I’ve created a response.
Six Signs You’re Writing Something Remarkable
1. You think the post is brilliant
Trust your instincts. Too often we second guess ourselves, seek out flaws, and find reasons why we can’t do it, instead of trusting our intuition.
2. You think the post is hilarious
As an aspiring humor writer, I have to say this is a rare and a highly desirable occurrence. Writing humor can often be so analytical and strategic. If it can make even you - as the author - laugh, it’s gold.
3. Your heart is pounding
This is a side effect from a rush of adrenalin, induced by being totally engrossed in the moment. This is when the best ideas come and creativity explodes.
4. You can’t wait to see how people react
This is your enthusiasm overflowing. You want your audience to feel the joy and passion you feel. That’s an admirable quality.
5. Your stomach tightens up
You’re reaching outside your comfort zone. This means you’re experimenting and growing. You can stay where it’a always easy and comfortable, but I don’t recommend it. That path leads to stagnation.
6. You hesitate before clicking “post”
Hit it! This is the anxiety we all feel when we push our limits. As was noted recently at - of all places - Copyblogger, Fear is the enemy of creativity.
Do yourself a favor and hit the publish button
Don’t let fear stand in the way of excellence. I’m not against making money blogging. I’m all for it, but I contend that entertainment sells. Just ask Perez Hilton or Google, YouTube anyone?
There is an important difference between blogging as a sales tool and blogging to entertain. One hopes to connect with the audience to gain their trust so they can sell something, because that means more money. The other hopes to connect with the audience to connect with the audience because it’s a huge endorphin rush.
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9 Responses to “6 Signs You’re Writing Something Remarkable”
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7. You’re Drunk.
Phew! I thought the knots in my stomach were a result of my crippling caffeine consumption!
Some very wise words there, sir. Good show!
1. You think the post is brilliant
Careful with this one. Sometimes you’re just being cocky and think your post is amazing when it really sucks.
Von, I know you are but what am I?
Lord Likely, In your case, those aren’t knots, it’s dysentery. I would seek medical attention and avoid those adventures to non-industrialized countries.
Adam, So what’s the downside? You learn more from failure than you do from doing nothing. So your post is roundly ignored. Oh, the horror of it all.
Thanks for your comment. I feel exactly the same way about some of my recent posts. There’s a bit of momentum that starts to build after you start gaining traffic and you realize that a lot of people are going to be reading what you’re writing.
Sure thing, Cory. I’ll be sure to keep checking in on Life, Art, Love, God. My big point was that there’s no real downside to taking a chance and screwing up. As Wayne Gretzky said, “you always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
I think it’s more important to tell people, “go ahead. Take a chance,” than it is to warn people against taking risks.
Making people more fearful of doing something wrong is a harmful approach, I believe.
Hey Fiar
Once again - another brilliant post! When I did Ron Goodwave, I pretty much felt all of the above mentioned things…
But I need some rounding off the edges…
Cheers!
Gideon Shalwick
Gideon, Thanks for the feedback. I really think that there needs to be more encouragement to just go ahead and do it, whatever “it” is.
I prefer confidence building over telling people that they are right to hesitate, and feel lacking in confidence. I look forward to your progress with your character.
There have been many entries over the years that I’ve been nervous about hitting post on.
But I never write anything that I’m not willing to defend (whether it’s truth or comedy), so I’ve never regretted putting them up.
The test is - if someone calls you on something you wrote, do you have a good justification (not rationalization) for writing it?
If not, then rewrite the indefensible bit before hitting post.
But do hit it.