Blogger Tips: Helping you frolic through your blogging life [Writing Edition]

Posted on by Ashleigh

title

Remember the blogger tips from last week? Well, here’s round 2!

So for this week, I decided to make it about the actual writing of blogs. Because like everything when it comes to blogging, that stuff can be hard.

But never fear. I’ll be acting as your li’l fae friend today, frolicking around and sprinkling words of advice in an attempt to make your task that little bit easier.

So let’s get on with the “writing” tips!

You can’t blog without writing. There needs to be something to read. But it can be difficult knowing what to write, where to get ideas from, when to write…so many things to consider (quite frankly, it can be exhausting). And though there’s still times when I struggle, I’ve figured out the ways to make it easier for myself – here’s to hoping they help you guys too!

write-for-you

Like last week, I’m starting with what I consider to be the most important of the lot.

Write for YOU!

If you write things that you think people will want to read, but you don’t necessarily want to write about it, then that’s quickly going to kill your love for blogging. If you’re writing a blog post because you think it’s expected of you, and your readers will be disappointed, again – your love for blogging may die. Write what you want, what you’re passionate about, when you want. It’s your blog.

chatty

I’ve had many a time where I’ve thought something along the lines of “Maybe I should write more professionally” or “My reviews won’t be taken seriously if I just babble on and use caps lock too much”.

But I’m saying NO. If you want to take on a chattier style of writing, you do that. Seriously. For me, there was actually a day when I thought “No. You know what? I’m going to type exactly how I think. Exactly what I’d say.” And I’ve honestly not looked back since. My reviews contain major fangirling. Or screaming. Or too much punctuation. Or jokes (if I’m ever clever enough to come up with any). Every single blog posts I write, I type it out how I’d say it. And ever since I have done, people have enjoyed my posts more. Because you can tell it’s just me, and how I am.

So trust me, if you want to write in a chatty style, but don’t feel like you should…DO IT ANYWAY!

write-when-is-best

If you can, write when you feel most productive during the day.

If you write more in the morning, do that. If you’d rather wait until evening, do that. I personally write quicker during the evening, and can see a definite difference in how long it takes me to type.

But more importantly – if you write when you actually WANT to, rather than when is just convenient, you’ll instantly be so much more passionate about it. Especially when it comes to reviews.

proofread

Proofreading is a chore. I know. I very rarely proofread my own blog posts.

But I don’t think people actually realize there’s a button up at the top to do it for you! For some unbeknownst reason that is just lost in my mind, I never used to use it. I just chanced skimmed over my writing and hoped there were no mistakes. But that button, guys. Makes things so much easier.

(Although it can go a bit mad on reviews for fantasy books, with all the made up names and all)

ideas

I’ve had people ask me how I come up with blog post ideas. And since I post at least 3 times a week, have been blogging for nearly a year and have yet to run out of ideas, I’m honestly surprised with myself in that way.

Honestly, I just spend a while looking everywhere. Sure, I look through other people’s book blogs and see if anything sparks an idea. But usually, I actually just scroll through twitter and see what people are talking about. You might see someone mention bookstores, or an article about YA, or see an interesting poll, and decide to write about it. Or I even sometimes scroll through bookstagram and all the hashtags that come with it. People talk in their captions. See what they’re talking about. Or use the scenes and events around you. Seasons. Something might remind you of a certain book.

It can take some getting used to, seeing ideas in “unlikely” places. But once you get the hang of taking note of what people are talking about, it can become easier.

monthly-posts-from-start

I say this one all the time. Monthly Wrap Ups? Monthly Hauls?

Write them as a draft from the beginning of the month!

I update mine at the end of every week. It makes it so much easier to handle all the links and photos, just to do a week’s worth every so often than a month’s worth in one day.

write-ideas-down

This one is SO blatantly obvious, but it needs saying every so often. Because we all have those moments where an amazing idea pops into mind, and yet you manage to convince yourself “you’ll remember”.

YOU WON’T. DON’T DO IT. WRITE IT DOWN.

Plus it makes it a hell of a lot easier when you come to write a post but have no idea what to write. Just a quick glance at your notebook, or your drafts, and BOOM instant idea.

review-method

Reviews can be written in so many ways. Deciding on one can make writing your reviews so much easier! You won’t be looking at a blank screen – you’ll have a vague idea of the structure you want to use, what information you need to think about.

I tell mine in a sort of “story” method. First, I have a photo, the details and the synopsis. Then I go onto my review, where I just ramble. But I call it a “story” method because I usually start from my thoughts of the beginning of the book, and explain how they might have changed the further I read.

You could do that. Or you could just ramble. You could do it in sections – one about the characters, another about the setting, another the plot, and so on. Or you could have it in two sections, the good points and the bad points. You could bring out the inner critic. You could focus on topics you look for, like LGBTQ+ and Diversity.

Once you have a vague review method, you’ll always have a starting point for your reviews 🙂

writing-sessions

This kind of links with the 3rd point. But if you’re in a real writing mood, go for it! There’s no limit on how many blog posts you can have scheduled (as far as I’m aware), so why not write more than one when you feel like it? Write more than one post at a time whenever you can, and you’ll not have to worry about getting another one written in time.

Personally, every Monday I write my posts for Wednesday and Friday. Right now (which is Saturday evening – last night if you’re reading this on publish day) I’m writing this post, and then I’ll be writing a review and possibly updating my September Wrap Up. I love doing more than one at a time!

personality

If you’re like me, this one will link to Tip 2.

There’s a lot of blogs out there. And while there’s so many book blogs out there, they’re all different. Because we all have a different personality. So let it show!

I LOVE seeing someone’s personality through their blog. In their writing, in their design. Everywhere. It makes me feel closer to them, like a friend. And it’s actually pretty easy to do – if you make your blog exactly how you want it, then TADDAA! It’ll show your personality 🙂

So there we have it!

Those were my 10 tips on how to make your writing experience in blogging just that little bit easier. I really hope you guys enjoyed this post and that it helped even in the slightest way.

 Next week’s post will be about design tips, so if you have any particular questions or tips you want to know about when it comes to designing your blog, let me know in the comments and I’ll make sure to add them in!

How did you like this tip post? Did you enjoy it? Was it helpful?

Do you follow any of these tips yourself?

Is there anything else you’d like to know about how I write my posts/when I write them/post ideas?

Are there any tips you’d like to know when it comes to designing your blog?

Let me know in the comments!

Until next time…

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Come and visit me!

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40 thoughts on “Blogger Tips: Helping you frolic through your blogging life [Writing Edition]”

  3. These are some awesome tips – so glad that you decided to compile them up here! I know that some of these took me ages to learn, tbh… especially the ‘dont be afraid to write in a chattier style” one! I love being chatty, and not being too formal on my posts – ever since I realised that, blogging has honestly been so much more fun! Wonderful post, Ashleigh!
    Geraldine @ Corralling Books

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    1. Thank you!! 😀
      When I started I sounded so formal, and yet I’d love reading the chattier blogs. So as soon as I got myself the think “well I can do that too” – blogging just became so much more fun for me too 🙂

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  4. Updating wrap ups throughout the month is a great idea! I normally write mine within the last few days of the month, but I think adding to them as the month goes on is a much better idea! Also, do you mean to tell me there’s a proof-read button on wordpress?! Or is this in Word? Great post! 🙂

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        1. I’ll be updating mine tomorrow if I remember 🙂 And I only discovered it myself a few weeks ago! It’s very discreet – plus you don’t think to look for one since there’s already a spellcheck while you type

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  7. Really liked your tip on writing your monthly posts through-out the month, makes much more sense! Might try it for October! Great tips once again 🙂 x

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  8. Great tips– Some of these seem so obvious to me, and yet some are a bit foreign. It shows how important it is to share our wins! For example, I am a OneNote lover. I write drafts and ideas and all sorts of things in my meticulously categorized OneNote. Yet, I rarely write when I *want* to. My life is just so crazy, I always tell myself, “Oh, I can get to that later tonight.” And I almost always have some regret. I’ve got to get better about that!

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    1. A lot of them are obvious to me too, but of course they would be since that’s just how I do things. It seems to really help people for them to see how I do things – like with the “write monthly posts throughout the month” one especially – so I thought I might as well make it’s own section 🙂

      I sometimes still get the timing thing wrong! I always think “oh I’ll do it on this day instead” and then that day comes around and I won’t feel like it. Should’ve done it on the day I felt like it in the first place!

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  9. For me, the most useful writing tool is the schedule button. If I have five ideas at once, I can write them all–but then schedule them so I have content throughout the month. It takes away the stress of having writer’s block!

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    1. Definitely! I love the schedule button. It’s so much easier t write whenever you feel like it and schedule it ahead for a blank day, than having to wait until the day and possibly have no motivation!

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  10. Another great post! Every time I have a blog post idea I go on the app and create a draft with that title so I don’t forget, I also get lots of inspiration from my favourite bloggers (like you!) I am loving this series, can’t wait to read the next one.

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  13. you are a BLOGGING QUEEN…seriously. These tips are so so helpful and reassuring, especially the starting monthly wrap-up and the beginning of the month tip. You definitely know how to help a girl out hahaha. This series is sooo good, I can’t wait to see the next post ❤ Xx

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  14. Wonderful tips Ashleigh! I particularly liked the one where you suggested starting your “monthly posts” at the beginning of the month and updating throughout the month… I am actually a bit embarrassed that I didn’t think of that one. Duh!

    Looking forward to your tips on design 🙂

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  15. Where’s this elusive proofreading button? Are you talking about the app (which I primarily use), or are you talking about posting from your actual website?
    I want to do a poll and see how many think paying for a blog upgrade will be beneficial or how many ppl have paid vs free accounts and if it’s worth it. I don’t ever have time, though. What do you think would be the easiest way to do it?
    Last question: do you think my blog could use improving? I’ve tried Canva graphics and I’m bot sure if I’m doing it right. So I’m stuck in my theme. I’m afraid to change anything because it is REALLY hard to do via an iPad. And I rarely have computer access. I don’t know how to embed code or anything like that. I keep thinking a paid blog would help in that dept, but I’d really like your opinion bc I think your blog ROCKS. It’s beautiful.
    Sorry about all the questions. 🙃

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    1. Aw thank you!
      The proofreading button is with all the other options above the blog post – next to the “read more” button I believe. I don’t use the app so I wouldn’t know if it’s the same there.

      I personally think keeping a free site is fine – mine’s still free! – and I plan to keep mine free because I’m pretty sure the design element is harder if you pay for it. I’d pay for my own domain name though, because that’s cheap, it gets rid of the “wordpress.com” and I think the design can be kept the same. BUT I’m not sure, because I’ve never paid before. If you want to do a poll, twitter is great for it!

      As for your blog, I love it how it is 🙂 I would say that the header photo needs adjusting slightly to a bigger size, just so that it’s not blurry on computer screens.

      Don’t worry about asking all the questions – I love it! Hope it helped 🙂

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  16. Pingback: September Wrap Up – The one where college starts again and my schedule is suddenly a lot more full | A frolic through fiction

  17. YES to letting your voice sound loud and clear!! When I first started blogging, my reviews were really stilted, more like academic essays. But then I started to relax and be more chatty, which readers seemed to prefer and blogging became much more fun.

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  18. Pingback: Blogger Tips: Helping you frolic through your blogging life [Design Edition] | A frolic through fiction
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