DIY: Banish Blogger's Block

Since my last DIY post (you can read it HERE if you wish), I've been so excited to write another and as blogger's block can be such a frustrating experience, I thought I could share my tips on banishing it!

Blogger's block sucks.

It's as simple as that.

When I have blogger's block, I take myself away from Blogger and focus on something else. I don't ever want blogging to become a chore and so I know that when I need some space, like Rachel and Ross, I must take a break.

There is, however, a "but."

That "but" is this: What if my posts aren't up to the standard I am wanting and so I'm even more reluctant and unable to produce content? It has lead, in the past, to me, not sticking to my schedule... and I hate not sticking to my blogging schedule. It, in each circumstance, was needed, though, and I don't regret it. In the days I didn't post I wanted to find a way to get back into happy blogging. I have had similar occasions where, although I've not ignored my schedule, I've known I've needed some kind of inspiration to get my posts to the quality I wanted again. Today, I'm going to compile all of the subjects to write about that I've found useful to consider when I've been finding it difficult to write a post, either at all, or not to the standard I wish.This is a DIY post to my future blogger's blocked self.

♡ Take a picture or think of something simple ♡

I remember being out last year, while the sun accompanied a beautiful scene. As I sat I thought that somehow the whole situation would make a post I'd be proud of. So I took pictures of my surroundings and I wrote one of my favourite posts. I love writing about everyday, simple things. I often take pictures of the sky and write about it. Could you take a picture of some pebbles on a beach and write about a memory it reminds you of? That time you dropped your ice cream or when you spent a whole day with pebbles as your seat and the sea as your soundtrack. Could you take a picture of the sad sky outside your window and talk about a rainy experience that taught you something that now keeps you safe from the rain? Could you take a picture of your own hand or your kitchen cupboard or the pavement? Something simple might spark a million thoughts.

♡ Talk about something you love ♡

It could be a fandom you're in or a sport you play or something you know a lot about and enjoy. I adore writing about music I love and books I adore. Anything that is a way which I indulge myself in happiness with when I am just in my room or at home, is something I can write a blog-sized post about! I find my fingers typing as happily as my smile at the thought of McFly or superheroes or books. Talking about something I love means I always have thoughts flying around in my brain that can be formed into sentences to fill a blank page. 

♡ Talk about it! ♡

I've simply spoken about any blogging ponderings when thinking of a subject to write about; these posts are some well-viewed posts, I have observed after posting- it makes me proud to have written them. A lot of bloggers can think about things wrong with their blog when there isn't actually anything wrong! I figure this out during my posts. It's not necessarily that I'm worried, but that I want to portray something about my blog without any readers having to figure it out- for example, in Writing Woes and Wonders I speak about how I sometimes want to be really honest about something a little more vulnerable than I am used to and I conclude that sometimes I will write things I may not say and in Who Is Your Blog? I make it clear that my blog has no niche- I write what I want!

Talk about any issues you're having! You're not alone.

♡ Talk about yourself ♡

Let's have some vanity on our blogs, please. After all, your blog, I imagine, is about you- even if it's not obvious! I simply talk about myself sometimes, since I do know a lot about the subject. Throw a few facts about yourself at the page, or talk about something about yourself that you like. Blogging can be very personal and I know I love getting to know bloggers that little bit more so why not!?

♡ Back to basics ♡

Write about your day! I've spoken many times about witnessing something I've seen or explaining my feelings in a day or an experience I experienced. Did something happen that made you smile? Did something happen that made you think? Or, has something stuck with you for a while now?

I've had a few random breaks from blogging out of need for revision and being too busy this year. Lately, I've had no excuse. Now I am very much back into the swing of it! Do you have any tips for the curse that is blogger's block? I would love to know as you can't have too many ways to cure it!

Warm Jumpers & Pyjama Bottoms,

The Girl in the Moonlight.

P.S. I am blogging every day for Blogmas; you can check out yesterday's post HERE!

A Chat With Paige Toon

Paige Toon is one of my favourite authors. She writes chick-lit novels that make it an obsession to turn the next page to delve into the worlds she creates. She awesomely answered a few questions I had, so here we go!

1. What were your goals in writing when you first started?

I always wanted to write, ever since I can remember. When I got a book deal to write Lucy in the Sky, it was easily one of the best days of my life. I loved writing it so much and I hoped that if my readers could feel what I was feeling when reading it, then they'd love it to. They did – and that's been my goal ever since: to make sure I'm enjoying what I'm writing in the hope that my readers will enjoy it too.

2. Are any events in your novels inspired by something you've experienced?

I grew up between England and Australia (and America too for a little bit). When I went to university and met my husband-to-be, my parents moved back to Australia. I felt very torn between the two countries and I wrote about that in Lucy in the Sky

3. Who is your favourite character out of the novels you've written and why?

I find this very difficult to answer because I'm so deep inside their heads when I'm writing my books, that I feel very connected to each and every one. Often the heroine in the book I'm currently writing feels like my favourite, so that would mean Bronte from next year's Thirteen Weddings. I love her! I really loved Jessie from The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson (out in Jan) too. Looking back at my books, possibly Lucy or Lily, from Pictures of Lily.

4. How do you go about writer's block?

I had a nasty case of writer's block for a week in the run-up to my deadline for Thirteen Weddings, which was tough! I asked for an extension to my deadline so that took the pressure off a bit, then I went for some long walks until my characters started talking to me again!

5. Who are your favourite authors?

Marian Keyes will always be a favourite of mine, but I also love YA sci fi so Suzanne Collins, Stephanie Meyer and Cassandra Clare and current faves.

6. What's your favourite book that you've read this year?

The Immortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare - I was hooked!

7. What's the most nerve-wracking thing about writing?

The final page proof stage when you read it through for the final - and usually about the fifth - time. I start to have doubts then that it's any good, but it's usually because I've read it so many times!

8. What's your favourite thing about writing?

Losing myself in the parallel universe of my heroes and heroines. It's like being inside my own personal movie.

9. When you're naming your characters, does a name you consider ever sound "wrong" in your mind?

Often. I change names quite a bit and often they will have already appeared on a synopsis on Amazon, which is very confusing for my readers!

10. What would your number one piece of advice be for aspiring writers? Enjoy what you're writing - if you don't, how can you expect your readers to enjoy reading it? Also, check out a blog I wrote about getting published on www.simonandschuster.co.uk - search for Paige Toon Author Voice!


I, of course, must say a huge thank you to Paige Toon for taking the time to answer my questions. I really enjoyed reading her answers. If you have any questions for her, you can tweet her HERE. Keep an eye out for her 2014 novels. I can just tell they're going to be perfect.

Stardust & Sunflowers,

The Girl in the Moonlight.

One Perfect Summer review
Blogmas

Writing Woes and Wonders

When I was younger I'd always write stories; I loved it. I would be in my element. I enjoyed manipulating people's feelings, creating another world and weaving troubles in between happiness and also the build up to the end of the storm. I enjoyed messing around with words, making something with the same meaning, appear better by just switching a few words around and adding another. I did so, secretly. Oh, how I didn't want a soul to know. So, I'd sit in my room on my big computer and write away. I'd write nonsense but it was okay because it was my rainbow.

However, the happiness I got from writing these stories secretly was always shadowed by my embarrassment.

"Pretending in words was too tentative, too vulnerable, too embarrassing to let anyone know."

 

 

Now, I face other woes with writing my blog.

I feel vulnerable writing. My heart feels clouded by fear that I'm putting too many of my feelings out there, on the sometimes scary, dark internet. Writing is sometimes, for me, about being honest, making things raw. However, when I want to type something but not open up too much, with the fear of overdoing it, my spirits are dampened.

My fear of not being good sometimes rains on my parade. It can cause me to be a little scared of letting my fingers tap away at the keyboard. It can be restricting. What if I'm writing gibberish? What if no one understands the point I'm trying to make? What if, anyone who reads this is just thinking: "What is this garbage?"

I've outlined the downside, for me, about writing but now let me tell you about the side that makes me see sunshine on an English September day, a rainbow when there's continuous rain and blue skies when clouds are distorting my happiness. (Jeesh, give it up already!)

Writing makes me excited. I could be out shopping and suddenly, a thought will shine above everything else and I'll be planning what I'm to write. I could be anywhere in my bubble of life and, suddenly, something will catch my eye and I'll have something to write about. This excites me a lot. It's the endless possibilities of having something I didn't know about in the morning to write about when I'm back at my laptop, ready to finally let my thoughts be written.

Writing is my place to go when I want to rant, express happiness or put my thoughts into chunks of text. It's the thing that makes me sigh with happiness: I get my point of view across somehow.

Writing allows me to put my umbrella down when rain is falling and dance in it; it makes me brave. I write things that I couldn't possibly say aloud, things I wouldn't have the courage to come to a conclusion about normally. For example, I can take an abstract idea, like, love and pour my thoughts into something more solid than a fleeting pondering. I don't always like that writing makes me vulnerable, but sometimes, I do. However, I also write things that I am passionate about, things that I want the world to know that I see the sad eclipse something may bring (yes, I'm talking about my plethora of posts on gay rights). I enjoy being able to write things that allow me to think outside of the box. It's exciting and challenging.

Writing makes me happy when things aren't always bright. I can go to my room and type away, letting any sadness lessen because I'm doing something I love. Although I fear how bad I may be, it also doesn't matter to me because writing brings me joy when my head feels like thunder.

I'm not a blogger with an amount of followers that is incomprehensible; I don't get tens of comments (in fact, I never have!) on my posts; I don't get hundreds and hundreds of views on each post I publish. Yet, that's ok. I (as I'm sure those on the opposite side of the blogger spectrum do too) appreciate every follower, every comment and every view. Why? That'll be because I didn't start blogging to have all of the crazy stuff: I did it because I love writing. That's why writing's wonderful. It's personal. It's eye opening. You can explore a subject and come to a conclusion all in one moment. It's exciting.

If you're like me and a little apprehensive, nervous and embarrassed about writing: You shouldn't be. Writing is your thing. Writing may be your haven. I choose not to show people, but I love it more than I am embarrassed by it because it's all of the above and so much more.

Clouded Skies & Green Grass,

The Girl in the Moonlight.