My passion for blogging started almost four years ago when I used informal, frequent posts to communicate with my family, friends, and even strangers about my training leading up to the Paralympics. I was swimming up to 5 hours a day with another couple of hours cross-training so many days I didn't have much to talk about other than my workout, swim times, and how exhausted I was! Still, my little blog kept a chugging along and it's fun to look back on my perspective during that time. If you'd like a blast from the past, my old archives are here. I posted frequently during the summer/fall of 2004.
My purpose and motivation to blog has changed a bit since '04 because now I see the power of
this communication tool to share ideas and discuss disability issues. I still keep a personal blog to post pictures and generally babble but I also like writing with intent in communities like this one. Among my dozen or so resolutions, I'm determined to become a better blogger this year so I've taken an inventory of what I see as my weaknesses and done some research on the goals I'd like to set.
In 2008, I plan to:
- Comment more on other blogs.
- My favorite thing about blogging within the Disaboom community is the higher likelihood that a friendly face will drop by my blog and share their thoughts and opinions about my writing. I know I love comments so I'd love to make more connections and spread the joy by leaving more of my own.
- Expand the variety of blogs I read without becoming lost in the blogosphere.
- This could be my most lofty goal because plop me in statistics class with my wifi connection flying and the monotone buzz of the lecture and I can get completely lost in my Bloglines feeds. My favorite blogs seem a little random in their content. I read everything from the Black Apple (crafty goodness) to the adventures of the Geswein family (a traditional American family that moved to China last year). I read WheelieCatholic's blog religiously (pun intended).
- Diversify the content of my own posts.
- The only time I have trouble finding the motivation to blog is when I fixate on ONLY writing with a disability focus. I have to remind myself that everything I do is flavored with my cultural identity because it's always a part of me. This year, I'd like to write more about my artistic endeavors, my professional work, social outings with friends, and my thoughts on mainstream current events. What would you like to write about that you usually don't?
- Capture ideas as they come to me.
- Some of the blog posts that have left me most satisfied occurred to me as I was walking my dogs, taking a shower, or driving to work. I rarely come up with a topic that truly inspires me to write staring at the screen w*a*i*t*i*n*g for an idea. Too often though, I don't remember my idea by the time I get to the computer. I'm surrounded with gadgets (my phone and even an audio recorder I use for taping therapy sessions) and even the old fashioned pen and paper but I just need to remember to remember.
- Participate in more blog carnivals.
- I had a blast hosting my first carnival in October and I'm disappointed I haven't had the time to join many other events. Anyone can submit a post and it's a good way to lure new readers to your blog. Here's where you can join in on the fun of the disability blog carnival. There are others too.
- Post more!
- I can't enjoy blogging OR improve unless I do it more often. I'm learning to strike my own balance between mulling over ideas too long, only posting if I have time for perfection, and still prioritizing quality over quantity. How many times do you blog a week?
While I pondered ways to be a better blogger, I took a few diversions to several helpful posts on the subject. My favorite was from lifehack. I plan to give a few of these 101 tips a try but tailored my goals to my own style. What's your advice, inspiration, or plan to become a better blogger?
