the writing process

so, i thought some of you, or maybe one of you, might be interested in the process that goes into writing a blog post. not just any blog post, but one of my blog posts. there are times when i don't post for several days, or several weeks as has been pointed out by many of you, and then there are times when i post several posts on the same day. to explain this variability, i thought i would walk you through my very simple procedure.

i don't plan, in advance, what i will write about in the future. when an idea strikes me, i begin drafting the post in my head. these ideas come from everywhere - something someone says, something i see, the dark recesses of my mind, etc. more often than not, i think of a title that tickles me and then develop the supporting text, still, in my head. for every 10 to 85 ideas, one post makes it to the computer. ideas don't make it to the computer for several reasons: i forget them; they're time/context-specific so if i don't post right away, it won't make sense (like about a current event); i forget them; they're too cynical or sarcastic for my diverse readership; i'm too busy to take the time to sit down and compose a post; i can't come up with enough text to support my very clever title; or i forget them. the weather comes to mind a lot here but i realize there's only so much one can read about the weather.

once an idea makes it to the computer, i try to write as much as i can remember from the draft in my head. usually, i'll write something, read it, delete it, re-write it and then edit the heck out of it until it's post-able. right now, my head is resting on the back of my chair, my eyes are closed, and i'm typing as i think. this happens a lot. i usually do it until i run out of thoughts or i get dizzy. it's amazing, upon reflection, how much gets written and deleted. because i type as i think (randomly and unorganized), i write things that seem super funny and clever, but then when i put on my editing cap, i think, really penny? you thought that was funny? other times i make myself laugh - that content usually stays.

when all is said and done (and posted), i usually call my mom to let her know there's a new post.

so, see? simple process. everyone should write a blog.