Bloggers' Block?
For those who enjoy writing, the blogosphere beckons with magnetic force. Yet even experienced writers suffer from occasional writers’ block. They may run out of topics to write about or things to say about their subjects. Apparently, stress is one of the main enemies of creative writing; brain science has shown that the mind tends to “freeze” when an individual feels threatened or is under stress. On the other hand, a relaxed mood promotes creative writing (see Rosanne Bane’s “The Writer’s Brain: What Neurology Tells Us about Teaching Creative Writing”). Other causes of writers’ block include worrying too much about the audience or the appropriacy of the topic.
To spice up their sites, some bloggers write joint blogs or occasional joint articles. Others invite guests to write pieces that they can publish; however, guest blogging has been criticized for drowning the voice of the guest by merging it with that of the host.
Extensive reading of course helps generate ideas for blogs. Similarly, reader feedback may trigger future blog posts. I would therefore like to encourage readers to comment on my postings. I have received scattered responses so far; positive but vague verbal remarks from a few colleagues, a number of “likes” through Facebook, and one anonymous student comment on a post entitled “Reflecting on Student Expectations”. In that comment, the student remarks that while instructor humour can aid learning, disrespectful humour is counterproductive. That reader’s interest in the subject of classroom humour has encouraged me to dedicate a future posting to the subject, so do stay tuned for that.
Posted by May Mikati on 22 March 2012, 11:31 AM
For those who enjoy writing, the blogosphere beckons with magnetic force. Yet even experienced writers suffer from occasional writers’ block. They may run out of topics to write about or things to say about their subjects. Apparently, stress is one of the main enemies of creative writing; brain science has shown that the mind tends to “freeze” when an individual feels threatened or is under stress. On the other hand, a relaxed mood promotes creative writing (see Rosanne Bane’s “The Writer’s Brain: What Neurology Tells Us about Teaching Creative Writing”). Other causes of writers’ block include worrying too much about the audience or the appropriacy of the topic.
To spice up their sites, some bloggers write joint blogs or occasional joint articles. Others invite guests to write pieces that they can publish; however, guest blogging has been criticized for drowning the voice of the guest by merging it with that of the host.
Extensive reading of course helps generate ideas for blogs. Similarly, reader feedback may trigger future blog posts. I would therefore like to encourage readers to comment on my postings. I have received scattered responses so far; positive but vague verbal remarks from a few colleagues, a number of “likes” through Facebook, and one anonymous student comment on a post entitled “Reflecting on Student Expectations”. In that comment, the student remarks that while instructor humour can aid learning, disrespectful humour is counterproductive. That reader’s interest in the subject of classroom humour has encouraged me to dedicate a future posting to the subject, so do stay tuned for that.
Posted by May Mikati on 22 March 2012, 11:31 AM
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