Read My Writing: Writer's Block

Oh my...when I signed off for the holidays, I had no idea I would be gone this long. And as we know, infrequent posting spells death to most blogs. But I have a feeling this blog will survive this pause because of its sweet readers.

Thank you for the kindness expressed through your comments...words put together in just the right way really do convey a sentiment that goes deep. I sense your friendship and it makes me smile. So thanks. I am encouraged by you to push through what I am calling my post-holiday writer's block.

The remedy: just write.

A few weeks ago, I read everyone's blogs. Nothing popped out that could hold up a new post. But because of the deadline pressure I was under, I started to get frustrated. Come on creative juices, start flowing! Nothing happened.

So instead of looking at the content of your blogs, I started staring blankly at your form. And by form, I mean how you format your posts. And there in my computer screen-induced stupor was the answer to my blog post prayer: Offer a few layout suggestions that would help create a soothing and easily readable post.

Create more white space in your posts

• add more space between photos so they are not piled up on each other
  
• create more paragraphs to break up long text

Create balance and interest

• place photos with some on the left and then some on the right.
• vary the size of the photos you upload
• use subheadings to portion off your writing
• use colored font judiciously
• create a blog color scheme with your fonts, background, headers that is soothing to the eye
  

Create something that looks like it won't take much time to read

• keep it under 500 words.
  
• use lots of small paragraphs
  
• have a great first sentence...oops, that's about content.

I think I've hurdled my writer's block. It's good to be with you again.