Clearing A Logjam: Why A Project Needs Completion

Sometimes writing flows easily like a swift river or current and sometimes it grinds away like a glacier. But for me, it’s always moving. However, a few weeks ago I really struggled with my blog. I just didn’t seem to have ideas readily available. That whole week I wrote posts from day to day which is not normal for me since I tend to be ahead of the game by at least a few days if not a week.

But then the logjam cleared and everything started flowing almost too fast. On that Sunday, I woke up early with four blog post ideas in mind. I got out of bed and started writing. By the end of the day I had six posts written in my Scrivener project. That was a major sea-change from several days earlier.

So what happened that I suddenly wrote so much? There are a few reasons. First, back in December I wrote several blog series that lasted between 4-5 weeks. I had ready-made ideas just waiting to be written. But starting with January I had fewer series in mind so I had to work harder to generate ideas.

Also, during my grinding week of blogging I was busy completing preparations for sending my novel to my editor. This minor project actually took up more of my creative capacity than it seemed. Thus I had less creative energy for ideas.

So the day before the explosion of writing I completed that little project. After a good night’s sleep my creativity was reset with the closing of the previous project and the backlog of ideas erupted. Fragments of thought germinated into full-fledged concepts and all that creativity woke me before sunrise with lots of impetus to write. I had the bodies of four posts completed in Scrivener within three hours. Later that afternoon, I completed two more posts for the total of six.

But what’s more, when I looked at some other ideas I had noted and left hanging, they also clicked in my mind. I knew that over the next few days I would easily write those as well. After all that I had developed quite a backlog of posts to begin scheduling in coordination of upcoming author interviews and blog tours I’m hosting. At this point, I’m several weeks ahead on blog development which has actually freed me up to write more fiction while my novel is with the editor.

So there’s a lesson in all of this for me and maybe you as well. When it comes to blogging, grind away when required but don’t give up. When the creativity erupts, ride the wave of creativity and write as far ahead of your blog schedule as possible. I’m now weeks ahead and plan to stay that way. I also have the flexibility to reschedule posts as necessary if anything comes up.

At this point, I’m progressing very well with the rough draft of my 2nd book and working on short fiction. I’ve been able to compose a number of blogs that are schedule to be posted. So clearing the issues have been very fruitful over the last few weeks.

What holds you back with your blogs? Does your pace ever grind like a glacier? What have you done to clear your logjams? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. I’d also love to connect with you over social media so check my Contact page for that information. See the News page for announcements and remember to sign-up to receive news and posts by email. I’ve added a new sign-up tab on my FaceBook page to simplify the process. New followers can download The Black Bag via free coupon today! Also, the cover of my book, The Bow of Destiny, was revealed recently so take a look.

Photos via Morguefile.com free section

Cover art provided on commission from Chris Rawlins