I have heard in my online travels that writers, authors and even Bloggers can get writers block. I have also noticed that thousands of Bloggers have joined us here in the "Rain" and have not written their first post. Can I ask why you joined? Was it to try and gain knowledge about the industry? Was it because of a compulsive (must join) behavior you might have? Maybe you are just afraid of what people will think when you write, so you're holding back and keeping your Blog Unwritten.
Here's a video that addresses those writers and bloggers who either have a block, or are just afraid to write for fear of others opinions. I have included the words on this post. I wanted to see if I could inspire other writers to "dive into the rain" and get beyond their inhibitions or fears. There is always something to write about or an experience to share. In Blogging, it's ok to learn from your mistakes, it's the only way you can grow. Take a look at any Blogger here, and view their very first post. Then read their most recent, and you will see exactly what I am talking about.
Verse:
"I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined. I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned. Staring at the blank page before you, Open up the dirty window, Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find. Reaching for something in the distance, So close you can almost taste it, Release your inhibitions...
Chorus:
Feel the rain on your skin, No one else can feel it for you, Only you can let it in, No one else, no one else can speak the words on your lips, Drench yourself in words unspoken, Live your life with arms wide open, Today is where your book Blog begins , The rest is still unwritten...
Verse:
I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines. We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way. Staring at the blank page before you, Open up the dirty window, Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find. Reaching for something in the distance, So close you can almost taste it, Release your inhibitions...
A special thanks to Natasha Bedingfield for performing and inspiring others with this song. It's not easy to take that first step, but writing generates comments, comments create thoughts and generate discussions, and discussions create ideas for writing about. It comes full circle, but you just have to start! Your Blog needs YOU. I think this song and the words might just give you the push you need to go to the next level. Not everyone is meant to write. Not everyone is an author or a can be a Blogger, but unless you begin, the rest will be unwritten...
Content Copyright Protected © 2008 - Brad Andersohn 
The Rest of My Blog
Here's what I mean....it's also a plug for ALL new members today....
And here's a plug for all of those who did "Join And Post" today!! :-)
New blog posts 02/17/2008
Brad,
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
That simple.
Steve
http://obeoman.blogspot.com
I know that we all get the dreaded block from time to time...when you do just look at what is all around you. The supply of blog material is endless......park information, events in your area, a town meeting coming up, a new restaurant, a restaurant review, market statistics, a new or changed listing, philanthropic events, sellers advice, buyers advice, sharing a story about a recent appointment, all ya gotta do is take a deep breath, close your eyes and channel the blog gods.....inspiration will come and once it does there will be no stopping you!
Brad - you have NEVER had the dreaded blocka and if you ever did you must have found the right medication! :)
Leesa - WOW! What a contribution of ideas, your comment should be a Blog post.....that gives me an idea,
I'll be right back....
Yes, I tell Newbies write that first post of anything, anything at at...just get it done.
I'm back....
Here's a link to a post from a guy who wrote 100 Title's to Blog or write about. He suggests, just pick one and start writing about it. If interested, here: http://chrisbrogan.com/100-blog-topics-i-hope-you-write/
Here's another one too:
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2005/11/29/20-types-of-blog-posts-battling-bloggers-block/
Jill - only 5 months? Seems like you've been a round forever, I love your comment , "You can never fail if you don't start but you can never succeed either if you don't start." I would also add that, "You can never succeed if you don't fail, or at least try!"
I'm glad you finally just sat down and wrote that first post. I'm off to go see it now... cya there! :-)
For someone like myself that does'nt feel you have nothing to contribute. All I can offer is, pick a topic, no matter what and wright a couple of paragraphs. You will see, soon things will progress, and before you know it you're a blogger!
Rob - very well put! It's a unique and different experience for everyone, but the commonality, is "just pick a topic" and go! :-) Thanks for the narrow down!!
Howdy Brad
I also do not understand why some folks join an then don't really do anything in the community or even put their photo on their home page.
Have a good one
Dale
I love this song, Brad but never made the leap to blogging with it...as soon as I started reading the lyrics, it was BAM! This is perfect not just for newbies but for any of us who have those days when we don't think we have anything to say. Of course we do...we just need to get it out and not keep it unwritten.
Lisa - reading your comment was like singing the song.... did you write this song for her? :-)
This should be a line in the song, "for any of us who have those days when we don't think we have anything to say. Of course we do...we just need to get it out and not keep it unwritten.."
It's great to have awesome members like yourself endorse this message, thanks be to you Lisa!!
This reminds me of the Mad TV skit or was it In Livin' Color where they had this guy that always said, "Wrote a song about it, wanna hear it? Here it goes" Don't know why I thought about that but I always have that in my head when bloggin.......ALWAYS somthing to write about.....or is that Bonnie Raitt "give them somethin to talk about".......oh geez, gotta go and turn the radio on now! :)
Cynthia - Writing generates comments, comments create thoughts and generate discussions, and discussions create ideas for writing about. It comes full circle, but you just have to start, or it can't and won't happen. Your Blog needs YOU!
Thanks Cynthia, your comment generated this thought, and now I'm going to add it to the post above. See, it really does work, this comment is proof!! :-)
Great post! I believe most people are a bit afraid of how their words will be perceived. It's hard to write something and possible have others tear at you because your thoughts and ideas may not match theirs. Also, it's hard to get true meanings from just a blog? I've had very upset people comment on my blogs thinking they know me or what my company is about from a blog. Their reactions and stupid remarks could cause someone to never write anything again! The 1st amendment is a powerful right...
Klarque - thanks! There are so many non-controversial things to write about, I know there are those who like to write the other too. The fact remains, there is always so much to write about, regardless of what people may think or say, it's always your opinion and your delivery that make the difference.
No one can take that away from a writer if you don't let them.
I know what you mean about a few bad comments making you want to give up, but it's the good comments and relationships built that will truly keep you going!! :-)
My "Encyclopedia Bradtanica" Analogy today is: You can't see the world, if you're sitting in your driveway!!
This reminds me of the Mad TV skit or was it In Livin' Color where they had this guy that always said, "Wrote a song about it, wanna hear it? Here it goes" Don't know why I thought about that but I always have that in my head when bloggin.......ALWAYS somthing to write about.....or is that Bonnie Raitt "give them somethin to talk about".......oh geez, gotta go and turn the radio on now! :)
Leesa - as soon as I started reading your comment, I started laughing out load, I was thinking of the Bonnie Raitt song as well. Funny how our minds work like that. I am a musician, and that for me is really hard to turn off most of the time! Seems like every sentence now days is or could be a song! LOL!~ Thanks!! :-)
Brad,
My first post was difficult to write, but it gets easier, so you out there who haven't written your first post...get at it. What are you waiting for?
AJ - some great and valid points you make. Sad to think that another reason people don't write or Blog efficiently is for reasons you've stated. I hope this post and your comment makes some of them think it through. Of course those who are like that, will probably never read a post like this.
Well, maybe I should never say never.... :-)
Missy - that's my hope.
I also want to say "thanks" to you!!
I think you have commented on every post I have ever written here.
It's you and comments like yours are why I write and continue to write here.
Thank You!!
:-)
Brad- Thank you for this post and the video. Love this song, my kids and I sing it in the car together, even my 2 year old knows the words. We try to live this way.
Writer's block can happen to anyone, just need to realize that writing, especially blogging, doesn't have a "perfect" form. You just know when the words feel write, because you are typing more than thinking. At least it is that way for me. When you aren't and it feels forced, it will probably sound forced, best to step away. The real world will lend more inspiration than the computer.
I did research on AR for years before even joining! It is scary to write a blog. Its like a tattoo, once you hit submit its out there for all to see.
(I know tattoos can be removed and comments edited)
Hi Brad...I just seem to go in "spurts" here on AR, and other sites as well. It's a tough balancing act with family ~ and for me focusing on graduating my oldest in June and applying to college...yikes! I think I finally realized I can't do it all, at least not all at once, so I'm focusing more on taking opportunities as they present themselves. If that means AR once a month, then that's all it is. In all honesty, it's hard for me to do but I know Real Estate will always be here and my kids won't.
Joddie - I like how you have your priorities straight! You know what's best and when it's best! Always follow your heart and spirit, they will never lead you astray! Whatever works for Joddie and family, works for me!! (Huge Smile) :-))))
Brad... you do sch a great job on your Blogs. Being new here to AR, I'm still wet behind the ears and willing to learn what this thing calld Blogging is al about. Keep up the great job you aredoing here on AR and let it Rain on us all !
Roland
Brad-
Thanks for the post and the encouragement to the newbies.
I know that the first time I posted and started getting comments, I felt a little, well, wierd!, that people were stating opinons on what little ol' me had written.
I got over it! :)
Live good. Be happy.
-Mimi
Hi Brad! I'm behind on my reading... and weird you wrote about this (and songed :) with the blog I just wrote. (Nothing as fancy as yours, of course)
I do find myself with writer's block when I say "I wanna blog" then try to think of a topic. Doesn't work for me.
Thanks ;)
Brad, it took me months to write a blog. For weeks I read blogs and felt there was nothing for me to contribute. I basically used Active Rain to learning tool. There was no office training that compared to AR in such a large range of subjects specially tech.
For me personally, I thank you, because I've used your (and many other Active Rainers) posts as a guide to conduct business.
Brad,
Like most business 20% of the people post 80% of the numbers. I have been with AR only a very short time, and I LOVE the format. I think the folks that are out there are holing back on the postings because they are afraid the content they are going to post is off topic or not important. Whereas they should post what ever is best for the community. For petes sake I posted something the other day that happened to me, but I thought it was too funny so the community needed to see it... KEEP posting - Knowledge is power.
This song is so inspirational, open up your mind and feel the rain on your skin! Don't leave a thing unwritten.
I still believe the best resource for content to write about is sitting in the sent folder of your email sent box. Everything you know, your experience, your responses, your knowledge is just sitting there to be shared with the world. There's enough content there to last you 2 lifetimes, Don't let your Blog go unwritten.... :-)