Blogging - What's The Story?

I'm at my desk like normal for a week day. Easing the aches out of my RSI-addled fingers and wrists. The aches can bugger off. There's writing to do.

I sat down to write the next post in the series I've been writing about the blogging thing. I typed the word process. And deleted. It. Sod that. Process makes it sound like there is one. Nah, I mean, there is, but that's not the main thing.

So yeah, there I was with a vague idea what this post was going to be about. Around the idea that blog posts should feel alive. And to do with finding a way to make your posts sound like you. Natural. Like you're telling a story down the pub.

Then, I stopped. See, that advice? It's common. Write like you are chatting down the pub. I mean, yeah, do that. But what does that mean for the poor sod with their fingers hovering over those plastic squares?

That got me thinking. Proper deep thinking. Because I do that all the time. Write, delete and make it more grounded. There's a word. Grounded. What do I mean by that? Er, I reckon I mean, how to get to that pub conversation style. Like when I sat to write this. I did the first four pars. Deleted the lot.

Why?

Sounded too up its own arse. I started again. What am I doing? Talking about how a blog posts forms. Yeah, what makes it start feeling and sounding like a blog post.

Big drum roll...

That there, that's it. Sounding like a blog post.

Funny that. I sat to write a post about writing a blog post. And a story came out, sort of. But it's more like a story that a bloody lecture. I didn't want it to be a lecture. No way.

What I'm saying is: human beings are hard-wired for stories. Exploit that. Tell us a story. Doesn't have to be an epic. All it needs is a simple truth - with stakes. Something you needed and didn't have. But no need for it to be a conquest. It could be dead simple. Like wanting a brew and realising you were out of tea bags.

Anyway, the kettle’s whistling. Go on then. Tell us a story.