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{Smaller Bloggers} Creating Content

By

Morondava anchor, par Franck Vervial

Content is the anchor of your entire blog. It’s the thing that either keeps people coming back, or deters them from ever returning. As such, your writing should always be evolving. In other words, you need to be proactive in learning to be a better writer all the time.

I was going to talk about the mechanics of content, such as formatting, but decided instead to talk about the heart of content.

There are several elements that make up the heart of your writing; every single piece. But different people will bring their own unique voice.

Your story, the one you’ve lived and the one you’re living (which are one in the same) is yours to tell. It’s an unfolding and unveiling of the glory of God, but it can only be revealed through your sharing it.

Sharing your story should show the reader, not tell. This is something I am still learning. It’s important to be very descriptive in order to bring the reader along with you in your story. You want to write in a way that allows them to step into it.

I remember during the writer’s workshop at Relevant last year, I was in a small group lead by Lisa Jo, and she had us do a writing exercise that described a memory. Here’s what I wrote:

It was a sunny day; an ordinary day. I was talking with friends–watching one play this driving arcade game. Then I smelled it. But it was fleeting–burnt marshmallows over campfire. Normally a sweet smell, but not today. Frantic employees and hidden panic on faces. I asked what was wrong and she replied firmly, “The rink is on fire. Don’t. Tell. Anyone.”

We’ve been evacuated and I’m walking away from the building, down the hill to a restaurant. I then venture across the street as smoke billows from the roof. The roof explodes and I huddle on the ground with a friend crying–watching my favorite place to be as it is consumed by a blazing and hot fire. I walk by, across the street, and I can feel the heat. People line the streets, sirens in the distance and flashing lights surround.

Your writing shouldn’t stop there. Once you share a piece of your story, then you explain what lessons you learned and how the reader can be challenged or encouraged by it.

For example, when you share the story of having a bad day, share how you could have responded to that bad day. Describe for your readers how they could respond during a difficult day. Each writer will have her own style, her own voice on how she conveys this message. You simply want to make it clear for the reader what the lesson is; what the point is.

People read your stories when you tie in how it can relate to them. Every story will not relate with every reader. That’s OK.

Your goal in telling your stories is to help others. It might help someone simply by knowing they are not alone. Some might feel hopeless or lost and not know what to do.

People are searching. They need to know they are not alone and there are solutions out there they may not have thought of.

Use your stories to bring hope, encouragement, and practical help to people. Although your story is important, it does not stand alone.

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Comments

  1. I really appreciated this post. It can become so overwhelming to remember all the things bloggers “should” and “shouldn’t” do. It’s good to refocus on why we started blogging in the first place. Thanks!

    •  So welcome!! Yes, the mechanics are really in vain if the content isn’t being nurtured.  Always start there. 🙂

  2. This is not my natural writing style. I usually avoid telling a story and then telling people what they should take from it – or that’s how I perceived this. But honestly, my best post…the one that got a hold of me and made me start blogging again…was exactly like this. I think my problem was that I thought I was supposed to tell them what to get out of it, but I really need to say what I got out of it.

    •  The awesome thing about writing this way, is that as you tell them what you got out of it, they take away their own lessons, because they know themselves better than anyone. All we need to do is get the words/stories out for them to read. 🙂 We can guide and suggest–sometimes people need that direction. But for those who don’t, they will simply overlook that part.

  3. Thank you for this, Christin. I come from very much of a journaling type background so I have to remember to make the connection to the readers.

    • It was a learning curve for me, too, Amy!!! I, too, am a journaler (is that a word??) I write in several different journals and I thrive on that type of writing!

      So when I write with this different angle it stretches me—but it reaches someone else every.single.time. It’s so worth the stretching. 🙂

  5. Oh yes! I used to assume people could find the lessons themselves, or would find a lesson I didn’t even know was there. Writing why I am sharing makes it more personal, and it doesn’t stop anyone from finding their own lessons as well. 🙂

  6. Show not tell. That little sign needs to go up right over my computer. Thank you, thank you for the reminder.

    {A smile spreads across Kim’s face as she grabs a sunshiney yellow post it note and writes in her most glorious, joyous script—Show the story, share the lesson!—and with a firm push of her thumb and a clearer sense of purpose, sticks that bright spot of wisdom to the top edge of her computer display.}  😉

  7. Awesome tip this morning! I went back edited my last post to add my “lessons learned”. It really made a HUGE difference in the quality! Thanks so much!

  10. Excellent advice, Christin! I used to like blogging.  It wasn’t until I discovered a passion for story telling that I *loved* blogging. So much more emotion goes into a story and the readers feel it. People are more likely to remember something they connect with on an emotional level. 

  11. Love how you expressed this! Totally agree that stories are about showing and relating.

    Oh, and this last line: “Although your story is important, it does not stand alone.” If my story is the Lord’s anyway, then of course it doesn’t stand alone; it stands on Him. His glory is shown through it while reaching His people with it. 

  12. Thank you for the reminder “to show, not tell.” I struggle with too much of the telling and not enough story. Probably comes from being a “just give me the facts” kind of person. I need to work on weaving my lessons and how tos into a story.

  13. Excellent post Christin 🙂 I read somewhere recently that “am, is, are, was, were” are telling verbs. Changing them to stronger verbs in your writing makes it showing. I haven’t actually applied that yet, but though I’d share!!! BTW, you said this type of writing stretches you…..just wanted you to know I LOVE your writing style . I was thinking that when I first started reading this article, so you are stretching well (ha ha, that IS a compliment!) 

    •  Thank you soo much for your encouragement, Stephanie!!!

      I know Mary DeMuth has stressed the importance of using strong verbs. Yes, show, not tell. Replace those week verbs with descriptive adjectives and stronger words! Thanks!!

  14. My concern is about sharing details.  I love to blog about my husband and children, but I don’t ever want them to feel that I “defined” them through my blog.  (I’m not sure if that makes sense or not.)  How do you share your story while still keeping the lives of those you love private?  I would enjoy seeing some tips on this.

    Thank you for this inspiring article, you hit the nail on the head.  I have noticed that all of my favorite blogs are written by Word Artists.  🙂

    •  I do this all the time. I typically post about *my* issues when it comes to dealing with everything. What is my perspective and what changes can *I* make?

      If someone has wronged me, I might write about it in a vague way (no names, no details of the wrong),but perhaps what I can do on my end, etc.
      I hope that helps…even a little!

  15. So helpful, and a hearty “Yes!” to so much advice you gave. Thanks for this.

  17. Love it!  It’s so refreshing to remember we are all always learning.  I agree with Kim ~ the ‘show not tell’ sign above the computer 🙂  

  18. I am so new to all of this and I really appreciate your articles.  I’ve bookmarked this one…because I know it’s a biggie that I need to remember.  : )

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