Okay – so I lied! I said my next post would have blogging tips, but first I want to share a bit more about blogging, journaling, and the difference between the two.
Take notice of the time span between this and my last post, and you’ll get a feel for the life of a blogger. Picture this – internet problems, illness in the family, and just plain being busy with family life all occuring while your next post keeps flitting through your head just waiting to be put into print. And all the while, you know your readers are wondering if you’ve fallen off the planet! This can create pressure in the life of a blogger! Not a reason not to blog – just a reality check.
I hope you’ve taken time to answer basic questions from my last post, How to Blog Effectively, like:
* What are my current priorities and how does blogging fit them? (Oh, my! Now you have to read my Running Into the New Year post to find out what your priorities are!)
* What is my purpose or passion for a blog? (Offering wisdom, teaching a skill, sharing my life…)
* What season of life am I in and does blogging fit into it? (Newly married with time on your hands; little ones all around with little time to think or write; or little ones all around but you need a place to think and write!; seasoned veteran wanting to share life’s lessons :o), etc.)
* Where will I squeeze blogging into my schedule? (Yes, I said squeeze for a reason! I live this crazy modern life, too!)
* Have I gone to God in prayer with these questions and am I sensing in my spirit that God will be glorified by this activity? God really will give you a nudge if you pay attention!
In that post, I shared some advantages of journaling before blogging. But remember, blogs began as online, personal journals, and in recent years have become so much more than that. They are a place to share ideas and wisdom, instruct in skills, minister, and more. The main difference between a journal and a blog is that one is private and the other is public! Hmmm…..I’m very glad to have worked out many an issue in my journal before sharing it abroad on my blog! Journaling is a great place to think and process ideas before blogging about them. I enjoy having one place to record and sort out my personal musings, and another to share and teach from the many lessons in my life. There are many good reasons for having both!
Here are a few avenues to blogging to choose from:
– If you’re blogging to build a life journal, you’ll have an easier time of it. Just blog away!
– You can begin blogging for fun, then, when time and responsibilities allow, build a website/blog for teaching or ministry.
– If your desire is to blog to share a skill, wisdom, or information, the task becomes a bit more work. I’ll share tips for this ‘more intense’ blogging in my next post – I promise!
I can’t tell you how much journaling, and now blogging, have helped me become a better thinker and writer. Plus, my journals become a refreshing pool of information and thoughts to draw from. And not just when I need new ideas for a blog post, but also as a place to develop my questions and find solutions for future counsel and advice for others.
I hope these ideas help you narrow down your quest to share your thoughts and life story with others, either through journaling or blogging – or both!
Happy writing!
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
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