Saturday, January 16, 2010

Blogging as a stream of consciousness...




One of the best things about blogging is the practice we get as writers. Blogging allows us a stream of consciousness. At the same time we can explore ideas that pop up and share them. They are not always popular, but by tapping into this flow of creativity, we are able to connect with issues and topics that are not only interesting to us, but often may be a kernel of information needed by someone other than ourselves. This has happened to me on numerous occasions.

Trust those first thoughts. They are often the most interesting, before we allow the ego to tell us they aren't good enough.

33 comments:

Stella Jones said...

Yes, it is lovely to be able to live along with someone else, sharing their thoughts, happy and sad. It is always interesting and sometimes surprising to learn how other people think and how they spend their days.
Blessings, Star

Gail Wilson said...

I am trying to follow my intuitions and also the many thoughts that enter my mind during my day. Many lead to interesting writings. Gail

alaine@éclectique said...

Great post and advice, Nancy. Quite often what I think is a silly post of mine, gets the most interest and comments!

Expat From Hell said...

As streams of consciousness go, my friend, you are the Mississippi. EFH

Gemel said...

I couldn't agree more, I missed my blog so much in the time I spent away from it, I find the ability to say what I truly feel liberating and releasing, which of course is extremely healing....

Saz said...

Aboseffinglutely! This happens often, when least expected and a germ of an idea can expand quite organically into a meaningful post.
Often times, when an idea is cosseted and edited and fretted over, it lays wet and flat in the blogland ether.
well said...
saz x

Anonymous said...

That's good advice! I personally love the blogs where you can really see the blogger's personality shining through!

Mike said...

That is very true! Go with your gut instinct. Usually what you think is uninteresting, people like.

karen said...

Thank you.

Von said...

You bet,couldn't agree more.Constantly amazed by the serendipitous.. you too?

Whitney Lee said...

This seems to be a current theme at the moment; this is the third thing I've read in as many days that touched on this in some way. More synchronicity, perhaps?
My problem is that I have all of these thoughts, and they vanish like smoke before I ever get around to writing. Oh well, I know that someday I'll have time to write more often. I'm going to enjoy the busy-ness for now!

Joanne said...

So true, and letting those ideas flow seems to encourage others to follow. Another thing I like about blogging is that it is a different form of writing than the other things I write, and I like the idea of changing it up like that.

GYPSYWOMAN said...

yes, trusting our first instinct, our first thought, the way of the spirit in us all - too frequently, however, we allow those things we think, that we know, to be altered or modified or ignored by external forces - and much as i know that truth, it is still not always the way - great post, lady!

luksky said...

Very good advice...that ole' ego is the "devil" isn't it??? :-)

Elisabeth said...

I couldn't agree more.

Essentially I blog to practise writing. I comment on blogs to practise writing. I write comments and blog to connect with other people whose writing I like to read and who like to read and occasionally comment on my writing.

In this way not only do I practise writing I also practise reading.

I also enjoy the visual experience and the auditory when viewing blogs that feature art works, photography and music of all sorts, but that's an added dimension, a real plus but it's not my primary aim, which as it is for you is to practise writing.

What a wonderful post. I'm new to your blog and very pleased to meet you.

Leah J. Utas said...

You're so right, Nancy. I've gotten info that I needed or been reminded of something many times.

Marguerite said...

You are so right about the stream of consciousness! And about trusting the inner voice! Great post!

Brenda Susan said...

I know I like to read that kind of blog, but when I write like that it feels like cheating or not really "writing". But it's very true that "over-thought-out" things tend to lose a freshness or life.

DJan said...

I think the cross-pollination of blogging is happening without our even being aware of it. And I do see the synchronicity of our thoughts every day, Nancy. Very insightful post...

Alexandra MacVean said...

Good post. I love to write and have found that my own has improved over time. I also enjoy having a place where I can be real and write about whatever is on my heart/mind at that particular moment.

Hilary said...

This is true. Of course, this wasn't the first thing I thought I'd say in my comment. ;)

Ruth said...

Once in a while I second guess myself. It's tricky too, because sometimes I rely on comments as a bellwether of how pertinent or interesting the post was. I'm not sure that is always the case.

Reya Mellicker said...

There are so many wonderful things about blogging, but yes, practice is always a good thing.

Sandra Bullock also sent $1 million to Haiti.

Anonymous said...

I need to start working on this. :) I love reading blogs more than writing them.

Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

Great advice, Nancy!

Brian Miller said...

love this. and so true. you never know who might read...and it be just what they need.

Friko said...

exactly, but not only that; blogging also allows us to say things we might not otherwise be brave enough to say. Blogging is a wonderful tool to express oneself, with or without readers (okay, with is better). I find I am less interested in the minutiae of somebody's daily life than a quirky situation or an opinion which might be controversial.

Blogging is fun; Blogger.com, thanks a lot.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

oh, I never publish my first draft...

I always reread what I wrote, outloud. It is frightening what i could have put out in the world

Lori ann said...

i am defintely pretty boring(not to me, but others may feel this).i am not a writer, my blog is mainly just about our lives and travels, with a few photographs.
i'm glad you come by though Nancy, your visits always mean a lot to me.

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Seraphine said...

there are never wasted thoughts, nor throw-away dreams. they sort themselves like drops of rain into the stream that is us.

Unknown said...

Spot on Nan! Another name for my blogs could be word vommit 1 and 2. But you are so right about it just freeing you to write what comes naturally. I recently decided not to apply to an MFA program because I decided I was just not going to be able to deal with panel critique. Granted this probably means my writing will not improve, but hey, my choice... i guess. =)

Meeko Fabulous said...

I'm with you. I love blogging because it allows us to open up and just put ourselves out there. It can be a very cathartic experience.