I’m interested in how other people blog. Do you title a post first and then write it? Or do you write first and then find a title in the overall picture of what you’ve said?
And speaking of titles, are there any words or phrases that are most likely to catch your eye? Personally, I can’t pass by a post with “coffee” in the title.
lindaghill.com 
July 7, 2014 at 6:12 pm
I come up with an idea for a story, write first then title. interestingly I struggle with the title more than the writing. I’ve been told the title is more important than the content if your’e aiming for hits and the use of numbers, “12 ways to succeed for success” etc is a must. Personally, I have tried it once and it seemed to work.
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July 9, 2014 at 11:07 am
I’m right there with you on the struggle to find a title. Sometimes it’s easy but most of the time it’s what holds up a post from being published.
Thanks very much for your comment 😀
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July 5, 2014 at 2:54 pm
I always write first and title later. In fact, a lot of times I start with the middle of a post and write the beginning and end later. For my features (Two for Tuesday and The Thursday Ten), the title is standard: the feature followed by a colon and the artist (Tuesday) or the list (Thursday).
I use Feedly as my feed reader, so I get the title and first couple of lines from which I determine whether or not to read the post.
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July 2, 2014 at 11:26 pm
I write and then title.
I read what strikes me. I will always read about sex, animals, gardening, or food. And in that order 😉
My parents have been in, I’ve got a sick kitten, I saw the dentist, I have meds, and I realized, about 30 minutes ago, I have missed One-Liner Wednesday, so I reckon I shouldn’t avoid WordPress for another week! Lost track of days! Coffee?!? I want some coffee! 😛
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July 4, 2014 at 11:58 am
Oh boy, you sound like you’ve been through the ringer. Hope the kitty and dental woes have sorted themselves out.
Coffee’s on me!
Thanks for commenting, my dear. 🙂
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July 2, 2014 at 9:52 am
I think of a topic, let it percolate for a few days, and then type it out, usually in one sitting… but, the growth on my blog has stalled, so I’m going to need to shake it up a bit, I think.
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July 2, 2014 at 9:24 pm
Renewal is always a good thing. 🙂
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July 1, 2014 at 2:13 am
I write first…usually what inspires my muse and she IS boss; the title comes after; sometimes it is a snapshot I took, I try to follow as many prompts as I can as it broadens my style of writing and I learn so much from reading other bloggers as well. Now if I could quit my job, I would catch up more:)
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July 4, 2014 at 11:45 am
Ah, there’s never enough time. I’m sooo behind in my comments!
Yes, the muse is the boss. 🙂 Thanks for your comment, Oliana! 🙂
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July 4, 2014 at 2:02 pm
No problem…I am pondering and allowing `body`tickle my muse right now…I sometimes do your SoCS twice…once on this blog and once on the other public name blog. It is so good for writing to do more of these. Thanks again for taking the time to do this, Linda.
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June 30, 2014 at 10:20 pm
Linda, you have a knack for generating commentary.
Bravo!
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June 30, 2014 at 10:30 pm
I’m really having a hard time keeping up with this one! Thanks, Lance. 🙂 It’s enjoyable to see so many people so passionate about something.
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June 30, 2014 at 12:00 pm
I usually have an idea for a post, then write it, find a picture and then title. The few times I did the title first I drifted apart from what I wanted to write that I just gave it up.
Its fascinating how many bloggers can write the title first. How organised :-). I am deeply impressed ladies and gentlemen!!!
As for what I like to read. Depends on what I am interested in. At the moment anything with self-publish 🙂 in it.
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June 30, 2014 at 10:28 pm
Yep, I’m right there with you on the self-publishing thing at the moment. I suppose coffee is just the one constant thing that, well, keeps me going. 🙂
I find all these comments fascinating too, yours included. Who knew there were so many ways to write a blog post! 🙂 Thanks very much, Bee. 🙂
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July 1, 2014 at 2:12 am
You are very welcome. And thanks for your great posts. They keep me inspired 🙂
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July 4, 2014 at 11:43 am
😀
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July 5, 2014 at 12:44 pm
🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 9:19 pm
I almost always, a picture first and then a title and then the details of the post.
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June 30, 2014 at 10:18 pm
I find myself doing things differently often when the main focus of a post is a photo. Interesting – I never really thought about it before. Thanks for sharing my dear. 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 6:03 pm
I seem to do it differently every time!
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June 30, 2014 at 10:16 pm
Ah, who needs to be set in their ways anyway? 🙂 Way to go, Willow!
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June 29, 2014 at 5:20 pm
Sometimes title, sometimes after I’ve finished. As for reading…I read pretty much anything. I am partial to art topics, computers, anything funny with cuss words (or without)… and I also love zombies 🙂 I see a new blog to check out above 🙂
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June 30, 2014 at 10:14 pm
Hey, glad you found a blog with an interesting topic here. Always happy to connect people 🙂 Thanks for adding your 50/50 vote! 😀
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June 29, 2014 at 3:23 pm
I’m definitely an intuitive type, in pretty much everything. Many of my blogposts (and my fiction), come to me first as strong impressions – often in the shower, washing dishes, walking, driving…
I don’t usually rush to get them on the screen. For me, it helps to let things simmer a bit (with the exception of SoCS posts, of course!).
I write most everything first at 750words.com. There’s something about that site layout – an expanse of screen without borders -that allows my mind to play, and the site is private and provides automatic archiving, so I can find things later if need be.
Sometimes I have a title first, sometimes an idea or a point to make, and sometimes just an impression to go with.
As for titles, what piques my interest tends to be, well, intuitive. =) If it has to do with Star Trek or peaceful parenting, I will almost always stop. There are certain bloggers I will always gravitate to, because what they write resonates or challenges my presumptions.
As for coffee- my Monday feature is called Coffee and Conversation. I like to imagine that I’m inviting folks in for a cuppa and a chat, and that we’re getting to know each other better. And sometimes it does happen that way, with someone really opening up in the comments. It’s such a wonderful, gratifying, connecting feeling, when it does!
This post was thought-provoking, and replying made me smile. So glad you wrote it! =D
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June 30, 2014 at 10:12 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Thank you.
I’ll definitely have to stop by for coffee one of these Mondays. And I agree, it’s great when a stimulating conversation starts up in the comments.
Thanks very much for sharing your perspective on posting. 😀
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July 2, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Oh, yes! I love those comment conversations. =)
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June 29, 2014 at 1:51 pm
I can title a post and then when finished – I see it must change as I went completely off track….so I have learned to title after 😀 I see it as a painting…I can only title a painting when it is done – unless it is like ‘some building’ but I do not paint that way…and then it would be like: ‘Building name – in reds n blues – cos the yellow n brown finished up’
As for what stops me to read – if it refers to spirals – I AM SO THERE. If it asks a question – I LOVE answering questions 😀 If it says IDIOT – I cannot resist… if it says anything that vaguely resembles someone is sad or down – I feel I must go read to check they are OK. If it – tadaaa – GRABS my attention 😀
Cool post babe!
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June 29, 2014 at 11:16 pm
Thanks, my dear. I find myself drifting with my writing a lot more of late, so I know what you mean about titling posts. I’ll have to write a post entitled, “If the idiot spirals down into a black hole of depression and nobody’s there to hear it, does it make a sound?” Just for you.
😉
Thanks for your comment, lovely lady. 🙂
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June 30, 2014 at 6:42 am
Um..yeah… can we make that spiral UP out of said black hole – please? LOL! Cheers Linda 😀
Trust me – you do not have to write the other version… I can answer it…’NO – nobody will hear it… it just shuts the hell up then!! LMAO!’
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June 30, 2014 at 10:35 pm
Hahahaha! 😀
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July 1, 2014 at 6:50 am
😀
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June 30, 2014 at 10:07 pm
I’m gonna start posting questions at the end of all my posts (been meaning to do that for weeks…) Thanks for reminding me IW.
Cheers,
Lance
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July 1, 2014 at 6:50 am
It does get interesting seeing what people have to say right – YW.
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June 29, 2014 at 9:59 am
I do both ways. If I already know what I’m writing/posting about, I’ll title it first. If not, and I just have a general idea about the post, I’ll write it first, then come up with a title. As for posts I like to stop and read, it’d probably be anything that appeals to my main interests, i.e. books, writing, animals, photography, or if I happen to see anything about my geek fandoms.
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June 29, 2014 at 11:11 pm
So you really just go with the flow as far as posting goes. Interesting. 🙂 Do you ever worry that you’re missing some of your interests because a blog post, for instance, wasn’t titled well enough? Photos help of course, but they’re not always present.
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
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June 30, 2014 at 5:05 pm
well, yeah, that is always a possibility.
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June 29, 2014 at 9:40 am
Write first, title later. I try and make the title a little enigmatic but giving the general jist of the piece (though they won’t generally get the jist till after they’ve read it..)
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June 29, 2014 at 9:41 am
Oh, as far as what catches my eye…..generally speaking anything humourous will pull me in pretty quick..
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June 29, 2014 at 11:02 pm
I usually find it easier to discover a title in the gist than trying to explain exactly what the post is going to be about, most of the time. This post being one of the exceptions. 😛
Nothing better than a little humour to brighten the day, eh? Except for maybe coffee. 😀 Thanks for the comment!
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June 29, 2014 at 8:44 am
Well, as usual the hillbilly is late to the party, but to answer the question, I almost always title then post ’cause I already know what I’m gonna post about. There have been a few rare occasions that I have let the body of the post decide the title for me though 😀
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June 29, 2014 at 10:59 pm
That’s okay, Tim – I’m really late answering the comments on this one. I wasn’t expecting this many! I used to always know what I was going to post, so I used to title first as well. Something changed though … maybe I’m just running out of things to say. 😛
Thanks for your comment! 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 8:28 am
I often title first becuase I already have my topic set in mind before I begin. I’ve been advised to write catchy titles, but I struggle with that.
I tend to use ellipses in writing – and titles every so often. I admit that I am personally not drawn to coffee posts. 😉
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June 29, 2014 at 10:56 pm
I got overenthusiastic with ellipses once upon a time. it was a hard habit to break. 😛 Catchy titles ARE hard. The first few lines of a post too are very important – it’s a good thing to have at least one or the other.
Thanks for commenting, Joanne 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 8:22 am
Great question! Since I’m pretty new at this, I have been using a lot of prompts, and of course, during “A to Z” I did the titles first. So a lot of times the prompt will make me think of a title and start with that. But if I’m not writing to a prompt, then I think I put the title in sometime after I begin writing, sometimes in the middle of my writing, not always the last thing.
When reading, I am attracted to words that don’t necessarily seem to “belong” (Your recent “Tuna” post comes to mind) or just words that I find aesthetically pleasing like “fox,” or anything even remotely “French” 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 10:53 pm
Glad my “Tuna” post’s title drew you in. That’s exactly what I was going for. 🙂 Do you find you read things with French in the title because you’re hoping to learn something new? It’s like that with me with writing articles.
I agree, it’s easier to title something that has a prompt attached, most of the time. Thank you for your comment. 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 5:23 am
I do it all 😀 whatever triggers my mind is first in line. I think a lot so in general I write down words of my thoughts during the day. Later on, or days later I grab that list and see what triggers my mind again. I just do what feel right at that moment. 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 10:45 pm
Interesting. So it’s really whatever inspires you. Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 4:41 am
Fascinating! And both, or simultaneously. I am new to this blogging game but if a title doesn’t come quickly after the idea, I’m worried… 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 10:43 pm
Titles can sometimes be the hardest part of a post, can’t they? Thanks for your comment, Lee-Anne 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 3:37 am
great question – and I am curious to see the results- I usually title first – then do the post – and then tweak the title if needed.
oh – and I also find it hard to skip a post that has coffee in it 🙂 ❤
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June 29, 2014 at 10:40 pm
Thanks! Titling first seems to be in the minority so far. Kinda strange, since it’s the first thing we see when we read.
I think coffee is contagious. All I have to do is read the word and I want one. 😛
Thank you for commenting! 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 3:02 am
I blog about coffee in general though now I write about the tribulations of maintaing a long distance relationship after my stroke.
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June 29, 2014 at 10:36 pm
Long distance relationships are tough, no matter what. Your coffee looks delicious however. 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
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June 29, 2014 at 1:34 am
Interesting post Linda 🙂
I use to write first, then title and photo, but sometimes the title just come first. I write what I think, when writing and I write mostly like you tell us to do in the prompt SoCS, just write and publish without editing more than spelling mistakes, if I see them.
A good title can catch my eyes to continue, but also a great photo. What about this title: Thanks for coffee ?
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June 29, 2014 at 10:32 pm
Haha! I wish I could share a coffee with you! I agree, photos can be great for catching the eye. Thanks for your comment, Irene. 🙂
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June 30, 2014 at 10:11 pm
I always write first, then the photos (if warranted–sometimes a song or a vid). Title is the red-headed step-chile, which I know is wrong. It is just that once I finish a story, I am usually zonked out and can’t be bothered with coming up with a title. Yes, I need to fix that…. Along with that first sentence.
😉
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June 30, 2014 at 10:33 pm
A way I sometimes get past the zonked-out-by-the-end thing is, I try to keep title-building in mind while I write. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
Thanks for adding your methods, Lance. 🙂
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July 1, 2014 at 10:34 pm
Linda,
My ‘method’ is I don’t have one.
😉
Cheers Friend
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July 2, 2014 at 8:03 pm
Hey, that works. 😉
Cheers, my dear.
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June 29, 2014 at 12:24 am
I’ve tried blogging both ways. I find, much like my journal, writing a post first, then finding a title is easier than doing it the other way
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June 29, 2014 at 10:30 pm
I’ll put you down for writing first then titling. Thanks for the comment, Meredith. 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 10:32 pm
Anytime 🙂 I had never really thought about it before but once I noticed how I write until I can’t seem to write anymore then I title it
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June 29, 2014 at 10:35 pm
Funny how sometimes being aware of the way you do things actually changes the way you do things, eh? 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 10:36 pm
Agreed 🙂 very interesting
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June 29, 2014 at 11:22 pm
🙂
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June 28, 2014 at 11:59 pm
i do both. sometimes the title comes to me and i think of what would go with it, usually the content first though. but then i have quotes and photos and it ends up a collage of sorts )
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June 29, 2014 at 10:29 pm
I’m like you, Beth. Sometimes the title actually writes the post. Thanks for the comment. 🙂
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June 28, 2014 at 11:58 pm
Usually a title comes to my mind as I think about what I want to write, before I write the piece. But sometimes I don’t know what to title what I’m going to write, in which case I just start writing to see what comes to me during the process. 99% of the time the title will come to me before I’m done writing the body of the piece, whether it’s for my blog or for other forms of writing. Interesting question, and it’s fun to see how other people handle this!
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June 29, 2014 at 10:27 pm
So you at least begin to write before you settle on a title, even if you’re still only writing it in your head. Interesting indeed. Thanks for weighing in. 🙂
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June 28, 2014 at 11:47 pm
I write, then title, then fill in with images. Great question! I love reading these answers.
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June 29, 2014 at 10:24 pm
It’s interesting to see how other bloggers do things, isn’t it? Thanks for the comment 🙂
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June 28, 2014 at 10:53 pm
I always know roughly what I want to write about. I title it and free write the rest. Better titles pull more viewers, but I don’t sweat it. I wrote one a long time ago called Purple Nurple that still gets Googled once per week.
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June 28, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Haha! I love it. 🙂 Well you’re the first to say title first then write. I was beginning to think it would be completely one-sided. Thanks for your comment. 🙂
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June 28, 2014 at 11:41 pm
It’s just the app I use. You have to give it a title to open a new post. I can edit the title, but usually don’t.
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June 30, 2014 at 10:07 pm
I have a feeling that app would annoy a lot of people here. 😛
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June 30, 2014 at 10:18 pm
It might, too. I don’t care for the WordPress app though.
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June 30, 2014 at 10:34 pm
I’ve never tried it… if it’s that bad I probably won’t. 😉
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June 28, 2014 at 10:47 pm
Generally the title and the content come together. My post titles are nearly always quotes from poetry or song lyrics, sometimes modified somewhat from the original version. As for which posts I read, it usually isn’t the title that catches my eye, but the first line of the preview text.
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June 28, 2014 at 10:58 pm
Ah yes, those all-important first lines. I think of every blog post as practice for hooking the reader when I write stories.
Thanks for commenting, Misha 🙂
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June 28, 2014 at 10:45 pm
If I write anything personal random stuff, it’s always content first and then the title.
No specific words / phrases is required for me. As long as the post is interesting.
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June 28, 2014 at 10:46 pm
That was ‘any personal’…
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June 28, 2014 at 10:55 pm
That’s five for writing then posting, and one 50/50 from Charles. 😛
True, there are also some blogs that you just know the posts will be interesting… Thanks for your comment, KG. 🙂
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June 28, 2014 at 10:37 pm
I tend to look at prompts, if that is what I am doing and get an idea, write it sometimes as prose and if that doesn’t work for me try it as poetry. Then I edit it several times before I am happy to post it, look for an image, then think what to call it. Sometimes the title is in the prompt. Other times I write to express an emotion or story and I may sit on it until I find a reason to post. Or I’ll post it as a poem by titling it with whatever number poem I may be up to.
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June 28, 2014 at 10:44 pm
I’ll take that as a write first then title, since that’s what you do unless the title is already decided for you before you start (by a prompt or a number).
Interesting – I often save drafts until the time seems right to post them as well.
Thanks very much for your comment, Michael. 🙂
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June 28, 2014 at 10:45 pm
Thanks Linda we all do variations don’t we.
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June 28, 2014 at 10:51 pm
We do. 🙂
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June 28, 2014 at 10:18 pm
I start with an idea. The post then comes to me in pieces. It’s kind of like putting a puzzle together and its never in the same order.
I read just about anything interesting that catches my eye. Science, current events, literary critiques, and outdoorsy stuff. Also, many blogs written by other special needs parents. I have a tough time relating to other parents. I’m still grieving, sad, angry, grateful, scared, lonely, inspired, and hopeful. I’m not ready for the “regular” parenting realm yet. Maybe one day…
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June 28, 2014 at 10:24 pm
Ah, my dear, when you do get there you’ll have more advice to give than you know what to do with. Parenting special needs kids means having to learn techniques that most people never get to, but anyone can benefit from. 🙂
I can see how putting a post together can be like a puzzle. When I edit mine I often move things around. Thanks for the image!
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June 28, 2014 at 10:15 pm
I choose a weekly theme and figure out the associated posts. Then the pic and title. Usually it takes up half a day to get everything scheduled. Only my Sunday goal posts are made that morning or the night before. Guess I’m too obsessed with getting ahead.
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June 28, 2014 at 10:19 pm
There’s nothing wrong with being uber-organized – or at least trying to be. 🙂 So posts first then titles for you too?
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June 28, 2014 at 10:31 pm
Depends. Probably half and half. I do titles first for the dialogues and old shoppe skits, but always for the others.
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June 28, 2014 at 10:38 pm
I guess it’s easier to title something right off the bat when you know exactly what you’re going to write. I’m like that only when the title has inspired the post.
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June 28, 2014 at 11:08 pm
Yeah. I find it easier to do post titles than book titles though.
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June 28, 2014 at 11:16 pm
Tell me about it.
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June 28, 2014 at 10:13 pm
Ha ha. Finding titles is always hard for me. Therefore they are largely boring. As to how I do my posts. Sometimes it is from something I have read. Something gained during meditation. And then there are my old stand-bys of photos lol
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June 28, 2014 at 10:16 pm
Oh I dunno – your titles often catch my interest. 🙂
I didn’t have enough time to read your post when I opened it earlier but I did have a chance to scan through your amazing photos. You’re a great photographer!
Thanks for your comment, Sue. 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 5:43 pm
pfffttt – not even close but thanks for the compliment my dear 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 10:23 pm
🙂
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June 28, 2014 at 10:04 pm
Write first, then come up with a title, and then look for one or a few images to include (unless I’m writing a post about an image.
As to titles or words that grab me? I don’t know, really. Just whatever piques my interest.
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June 28, 2014 at 10:08 pm
Three for three so far with write first then post. Interesting.
So you’re pretty open-minded about what you read, eh? How about posts with a question in their titles? Eh? Eh? hehe
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June 28, 2014 at 10:10 pm
Well I like questions in the title! Eh?
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June 28, 2014 at 10:12 pm
Haha! I’ll turn everyone into an honorary Canadian yet, eh?
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June 28, 2014 at 10:13 pm
; )
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June 29, 2014 at 11:29 pm
Post with questions in their title? Hmm. That’s a really good question.
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June 29, 2014 at 11:30 pm
😉
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June 29, 2014 at 11:20 pm
I wait till Doobster posts… then write the exact opposite. 🙂
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June 29, 2014 at 11:21 pm
Hahahahahahaha!
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June 29, 2014 at 11:22 pm
😉 lmao…
[skips away pleased with himself]
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June 29, 2014 at 11:28 pm
Yikes. I’ve got a stalker! I have freakin’ arrived! Woo hoo!
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June 29, 2014 at 11:29 pm
Hahahahahaha! You guys are hilarious. 😀
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June 29, 2014 at 11:42 pm
Is this where I share what I am wearing and what my pets are like…
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June 30, 2014 at 10:16 pm
Doobster, I completely concur.
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June 28, 2014 at 10:01 pm
Most of the time I write and then title, if I try to title first then I almost always change it! And I can’t pass by coffee either! I love coffee and lists! I like a post with lists 🙂
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June 28, 2014 at 10:04 pm
That’s two for write then title – thanks!
Coffee – nectar of the gods… I don’t think I could write without it. 🙂 I’ve seen a lot of list posts around lately. I should do more of them too!
Thanks for the comment, April 🙂
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June 30, 2014 at 10:18 pm
Lists eh? Never tried that approach.
Thanks for the idea…
Now, lessee…
Lists for TT&H?
I’ll have to get back to you!
Hey, I am just kidding. I do think that is a good idea. I love lists too.
Cheers,
Lance
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June 28, 2014 at 9:56 pm
I usually write first then title. And I cant skip a post that has zombie, survival, or just a good pic.
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June 28, 2014 at 10:00 pm
Zombie and survival, eh? I have a feeling the comments on this post are going to be telling… hehe. I follow a lot of photography blogs too, just for that reason.
Thanks for weighing in on the title/post question too. I’ll be tallying as the comments come in. 🙂
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June 28, 2014 at 10:03 pm
I have always loved zombie stuff but right now everyone does, so all my zombie posts have done really well. I get at the least 10 new followers every time a post about zombies or survival.
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June 28, 2014 at 10:05 pm
Wow! That’s impressive!
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