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December 28, 2006

10 Reasons to Write and Publish Every Day

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 9:27 am

Connecting to the World

Power Writing Series Logo

Look in a scrapbook. Look in your wallet. You’ll find written messages. Diaries, wedding invitations, resumes, love letters, even our names are written as words. Yet, the best writer — the most prolific, the most proficient — is never finished learning, never finished becoming a writer. We are apprentices every one of us. We’re all in the process of becoming.

We’re all apprentice writers — part ego and part self-doubt. It’s the ego that helps us face down that blank page to say what we have to say. It’s the self-doubt that stops us from casting the movie about what we’ve written.

In this age of noise and clutter, we all need to be writers. Writing and publishing are the way we connect to the world.

10 Reasons to Write and Publish Every Day

We write to record our thoughts . . . and by recording them we think them through, rearrange, and re-organize them. We make our ideas clearer. We make our thinking stronger and more easily understood. We carve a path that a reader, a listener, another person can follow from our minds to their minds, from our hearts to their hearts. Writing is a connection waiting to happen.

Publishing makes the connection more natural and accessible.

Here are ten reasons that writing (and publishing) every day is important.

  1. Writing every day makes us better thinkers. It takes our thoughts out of our heads and challenges us to express them in understandable ways. Effective writing is the opposite of seat-of-the-pants thinking.


  2. Writing every day teaches us how to work with words in print, to construct a meaningful message. Like playing a guitar or doing math, writing takes practice.


  3. Writing every day helps us develop a voice that is natural and consistent, strong and confident, and attuned to readers. Everything we write has an audience. Even when we write for ourselves, we go back to read, listening to what we wrote. We question. We consider. We critique our choices.


  4. Writing every day improves our ability to craft remarkable prose that people want to share. Every time someone shares something that we write they add value to our ideas — when they change them and when they don’t.


  5. Writing every day gets us comfortable with the conventions of writing and the conventions of writing give our messages credibility. The credibility is how society finds the appropriate place for our ideas.


  6. Writing every day lets us find our personal writing process. We lose our fear of flying and learn our way around our creativity. We get familiar with what to do when we need ideas, how to know what we want to say, what is always going to be hard, and what parts are worth looking forward to.


  7. Writing every day teaches us how to tell our internal editor to be quiet until we need feedback.


  8. Writing every day makes us better, more thoughtful readers. We bring the insights and appreciation of a writer to what we read.


  9. Writing every day connects us to people. We meet more people in print than we can ever possibly meet face to face. Many people will know our written voice as well as they know our names.


  10. Writing every day makes us architects and builders. We record our history, and we imagine the future. We inspire and motivate, both ourselves and others. We make something that changes the world, something lasting. We make a unique contribution that others might use.

Everything written is inherently personal and at the same time dynamically social. In a noisy world, it’s the way we communicate across continents, across living rooms; with folks we just met and with every generation of our families. We write our dreams, our business plans, and ask questions. We read. We respond. We get the ultimate first impression.

Each time we write our voice becomes clearer, more focused, and stronger, until our writing is inseparable from our voice. Everything we write is written about us.

Publishing is how we talk to the world and how the world hears us.

What have you told the world today?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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70 Comments to “10 Reasons to Write and Publish Every Day”

  1. December 28th, 2006 at 9:47 am
    Michael Stelzner said

    Liz - Keep on writing!

    You inspire me.

    Mike

  2. December 28th, 2006 at 9:51 am
    ME Strauss said

    Wow! Mike,
    Thank you. :)

  3. December 28th, 2006 at 10:00 am
    franky said

    11. Blogging daily makes our feed roll longer every day. :P

  4. December 28th, 2006 at 10:01 am
    ME Strauss said

    Franky,
    You are a special one! :)

  5. December 28th, 2006 at 10:09 am
    franky said

    Liz, I do my utterly best. I am SEO meme unfriendly like that. :P

  6. December 28th, 2006 at 10:22 am
    ME Strauss said

    Franky,
    You are highly relevant and enjoyable. That counts! :)

  7. December 28th, 2006 at 10:32 am
    Whitney said

    Tying in with your #10…

    Enid Blyton, a children’s book author, wrote 10,000 words a day. In her career, she wrote for magazines for decades and published approximately 800 books which were translated into nearly 90 languages:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enid_Blyton

    It would be impossible to count how many peoples’ childhoods she was a part of, how many future adults she played a part in shaping.

    While that many words in a week…never mind a day…could be mind-numbing to produce, there’s inspiration to be found in her discipline and dedication. At the very least, it makes daily journaling or a 600-word posting for one’s business blog seem much more manageable. :-)

  8. December 28th, 2006 at 11:05 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Whitney!
    Yeah, when you think of the minds that Enid Blyton touched and you add to it that she has the power to continue touching minds, the idea is awe inspiring. One person can have such a role in changing lives, even a tiny bit, using only words.

  9. December 28th, 2006 at 11:06 am
    ProfileLinker, Meebo… anything for multiple blog authors yet? | Am I Famous Now… said

    […] 1 Yes MyBlogLog you are meant. 2 If yes, all credits for the domain I just bought go to Liz Strauss. […]

  10. December 28th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
    Dabbling Mum said

    I just LOVEEEEEEEEEEEE this list. It’s so what I tell my family, friends, and colleagues.

    Writing has always been a HUGE part of my life, and I truly believe that every human being can tell his/her life story through personal thoughts and journal entries.

  11. December 28th, 2006 at 12:41 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Thank you ma’am!
    It’s a huge part of my life too!!

  12. December 28th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
    Ten Keyboards » Blog Archive » Write and Publish Every Day said

    […] Successful Blog offers up a post today that gives us Ten Reasons to Write and Publish Every Day. […]

  13. December 28th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
    Andrew Flusche said

    Liz, you’re so awesome! I’ve been struggling with blogger’s block / blog burnout these past few days. This post is really going to help motivate me to keep trucking. Self doubt, get away from me!

  14. December 28th, 2006 at 3:48 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Andrew,
    Thanks. I sort of planned this thinking folks might be losing steam about now. . . I’m glad that you found it something that helps you! :)

  15. December 28th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
    Peter Mullison said

    This is my goal: to post everyday. My reasons for blogging began as business ones. But now they are somewhat selfish. I like to write, and I like to be read. My blog gives me the chance to do both.

    Thanks for the post.

    Peter Mullison
    http://www.employmentlawcolorado.com

  16. December 28th, 2006 at 6:29 pm
    10 Gründe täglich zu Bloggen » Bloganbieter.de said

    […] Jetzt die anderen fünf Gründe täglich zu bloggen auf Successful Blog lesen. […]

  17. December 28th, 2006 at 6:37 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Peter!
    Welcome!
    Both are great reasons and ones that will serve you will. Thanks for the comment. We forget sometimes tha feeding our minds is important as feeding our bodies. :)

  18. December 28th, 2006 at 7:15 pm
    Francie said

    I’ve always been a writer. But, it used to be something I either did as a part of work projects (marketing) with little or no personal recognition or left on the back burner for my personal writing.

    Now, finally with the information age and knowledge-based economy, I can take my writing seriously! And, I find there’s an ever-increasing audience all around me who also takes it seriously!

    Thank you Liz, for being in the forefront of the electronic wordshare. I am enjoying getting to know your “written voice.” I love #10 - “we make a unique contribution that others might use.” That sums it up for me!

  19. December 28th, 2006 at 7:19 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Francie,
    I’m getting to know you too! That’s so cool!
    You’re definitely a writer. Your blog shows it, even in the white spaces.

    I’m excited for you and the year you have coming. The first year let loose with a blog is so darn exciting!

  20. December 28th, 2006 at 9:52 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    Thanks, Liz. I printed this one to look at when I’m feeling like I have nothing to say. You, and those like you who do post something one or more times a day continually amaze me.

  21. December 28th, 2006 at 9:58 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Don’t be fooled, Rick. Some days I work hard to find the ideas I’ll write tomorrow. I need that pause to reflect and get away, just like everyone does. :)

  22. December 28th, 2006 at 10:12 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    Oh, I know you work hard. But you come up with something, and do it well. I’m with Mike.

  23. December 28th, 2006 at 10:14 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Thanks, Rick. It’s a lot easier with you guys listening in. :)

  24. December 28th, 2006 at 10:58 pm
    Michelle said

    I agree, to me it’s like exercise, the more I do it the stronger a writer I am. If nothing else, it’s good for my morale to physically produce something daily, even if it gets thrown in the trash by the end of the day.

  25. December 28th, 2006 at 11:01 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Michelle,
    It’s a lot like exercise for the mind, isn’t it? It keeps our thinking fresh and viable, new and tested. . . . We can’t help but be “on our toes. :)

    I bet you don’t have many days that you trash everything. :)

  26. December 29th, 2006 at 1:20 am
    Why Write Everyday? on iface thoughts said

    […] Liz Strauss reveals why one should write everyday. Great list! For me, blogging everyday freed me from the inhibitions. I would like to add to the list that writing everyday makes it more natural. I try to blog every single day, including holidays, even if they are small posts. A lot of my friends ask me the source. I think this regular activity always keeps it alive in my mind which makes it easier to find inspirations. […]

  27. December 29th, 2006 at 6:49 am
    Kian Ann said

    Liz,

    Thanks. This post is very very inspirational. I’ve been thinking if cracking my brains to churn out new content to my blog everyday is doing me good or wasting my time… now I’m confident it does do me good. :)

  28. December 29th, 2006 at 7:31 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Kian,
    You’re more than right that writing works in your favor. It will keep your brain cells in tune. It makes us think our thoughts through to the end. We have to go further than we would if we kept them to ourselves.

    With your natural confidence and intelligence combined with the discipline of writing every day. You’ll not only become a stronger, more effective writer. You’ll be a deeper, more respected thinker. And thinking will be more fun!!! :)

  29. December 29th, 2006 at 8:32 am
    Phil said

    Hi Liz,

    I didn’t get into blogging for the writing, more for the experience of owning and running my own website whilst learning how to write better code. The blog was to post my code and experiences learning.

    Over the time I was writing it, I realised that there was a lot more to it than just posting the occasional article. I was trying to program more than I was capable, just so that I could write about it. I used to feel slightly guilty for making an off topic post, but now I have plans to expand so that I can talk about anything as well as keeping focussed on the original area.

    Why has this happened, because of all you have written about above. Connecting with others, sharing knowledge and experience, learning about writing as well as the subject in hand, reading other people’s blogs and appreciating their opinions in a more constructive way.

    Right now I don’t have the internet at home (yeah, commenting from work, but my boss isn’t in so who’s going to catch me!) and I am straining at the bit to return to writing (not to mention a new design that is nearly ready). 2007 is going to be a big year for my blog and consequently, me.

    (Note to self: swing by here more often!)

  30. December 29th, 2006 at 8:46 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Phil!
    Welcome! I understand your story deeply and completely. I thought I was making a writer’s blog, something to keep my writing discipline and a place where folks might come to get away from those darn cell phone in elevators. That’s just not what I found.

    How lucky can one writer girl get to stumble into a thinker’s revolution like this?

    What I found was thoughts and ideas that were charming, enchanting, and sticky. They followed and played inside my head. They turned and twisted my curiosity and led me to write more. Each word build on the past ones ontil a body of work was born.

    It’s a gift to my family and a gift to myself as well.

    The people that I met, on the other hand, are the ultimate gift to me. :)

  31. December 30th, 2006 at 4:51 am
    Myrthe said

    I printed this post and put it on the wall near my computer. I love writing, but I have been struggling with my rhythm lately. That bugs me because too much gets stuck in my head and doesn’t come out.
    I try to stick to writing something every day (a blog post, an email, a comment to something I read) to get my writing rhythm & discipline back (and to work my way through a long list of to-write-things;-
    )), but it’s not always easy. Your post will be a good reminder and inspiration. Thank you!

  32. December 30th, 2006 at 5:09 am
    Karin said

    “Writing is a connection waiting to happen.”
    That in fact says it all IMHO, connecting not just writers with readers, but first of all connecting your thoughts, ideas, sudden insights to your ‘heart’, character and life.

    Great post Liz, as some others have done: I’ll print the whole list and place it on the wall next to my desk so I’m reminded constantly that writing does matter (for me, to me)

  33. December 30th, 2006 at 10:32 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Mrthe!
    When that happens to me I walk around a lot, walking seems to help. It seems to shake the words out.

    Thank you for saying what you did.

    You’re not a stranger anymore. :)

  34. December 30th, 2006 at 10:33 am
    ME Strauss said

    Karin,
    I love the connections you point out. I also love the “to me, for me” at the end. :)

  35. December 30th, 2006 at 11:42 am
    Evelyn said

    Thanks for the inspiration. Lately I’ve let the tryanny of pesky, fruitless tasks get in the way of a consistent writing practice.

  36. December 30th, 2006 at 4:42 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Evelyn!
    Great to meet you! I wrote this for that very reason. I needed to find a little inspiration for myself. :) The holidays can sure get in the way of certain kinds of momentum. I wanted to get mine rolling again!

  37. December 30th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
    Anthony said

    Excellent article…

    I’m striving to write daily on my blog but finding it increasingly challenging as each day passes.

  38. December 30th, 2006 at 6:43 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Anthony,
    Thanks! We all have peaks and valleys when we write. That’s part of what prompted me writing this post. I wonder, about what might be causing yours? Is it the time of the year? Is it the topic? Is it that ideas are hard to come by?
    How can I help?

  39. January 1st, 2007 at 7:46 pm
    Happy New Year :: Unintentionally Blank said

    […] I have neglected this blog, but when I get my own internet connection back, there will be no stopping me! Plus, as Liz Strauss points out, there are many reasons to write every day. […]

  40. January 1st, 2007 at 11:15 pm
    Ryan said

    Great post. I think exercising my mind through writing has become a stellar hobby of mine. This post reinforces my feelings toward writing. Thanks and I’ll be adding your RSS to my reader!

  41. January 1st, 2007 at 11:47 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Ryan!
    Welcome!
    I think that writing every day is a stellar hobby of yours too. Thanks for thinking my blog is worth keeping around. I like to think it’s pretty good myself.

    You’re not a stranger anymore. Stop by and let me know how I’m doing. :)

  42. January 4th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
    One quality blog post is enough to make you famous said

    […] Granted, not everybody is a born writer, and not everybody can entertain with words or have perfect grammar. However, I think what is more important than the words is the argument or the opinion - the thinking that goes behind the post. Both writing and thinking can be learnt, and they have to be learnt through constant practise. Liz from Successful-Blog.com posted her thoughts a while ago on the benefits of writing everyday, and the first in her list is “Writing every day makes us better thinkers.” […]

  43. January 6th, 2007 at 7:15 am
    Chinmay said

    Hi Liz,

    I must say that I am so delighted for I started my year with reading this post !! I started blogging last year…for always there’s so much interesting goin on around me which I want to share with those in my close proximity :)

    Oflate, I realised that my blog’s readership is pretty small and stopped blogging :(
    After reading ur post….I feel that I too have certainly created echo in Blogging and going forward can improvise.

    Thanks for being so inspiring .. u made my day indeed ! (Let me link to ur blog right away ;))

    Regards,
    Chinmay

  44. January 6th, 2007 at 7:26 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Chinmay!
    Welcome!
    Ah, what a great comment to wake up to! If you have heard me say, “your voice is important,” YEA!!! You should see the smile on my face right now.

    In your fingers, in your cells, there is intuitive truth that only you have access to, that only you know. It’s your experience of te world as an individual. It’s way you see the color, blue . It’s the way you hear what I write. It’s the way to put words together to say “here’s how to do this well.” Your way might help someone understand, when my way cannot.

    We cannot write each other’s writing. I can’t write like you, just like I can’t be who you are. I would be a bad version of you. I can’t be someone who I’m not — every time I’ve tried the result is hollow and people figure it out. Folks know not trust when that’s going on. They also can sense it when we write.

    So congratulations! Write your words. They’re yours to write. :)

    You’re not a stranger here anymore. I hope that means you’ll be back to share your thoughts again.

  45. January 6th, 2007 at 8:09 am
    Chinmay said

    Wow, couldn’t have anticipated a quicker response Liz :) I am all charged up now-shall email you when I get into a habit of writing daily ;) & make my presence visible on the ubiquitous http://WWW.

  46. January 6th, 2007 at 8:14 am
    ME Strauss said

    Gosh, Chinmay! You said something so important. You deserved to know you were heard — right away!! :)

  47. January 13th, 2007 at 4:42 am
    KroTTeR » Elke dag schrijven is goed said

    […] Ik geloof dat ik toch wat meer zal moeten posten op mijn blog. Daarjuist ben ik een interessant artikel tegengekomen dat zegt dat elke dag schrijven zeer goed is voor jezelf. Wanneer we schrijven stellen we onszelf in vraag en leren we iets verstaanbaar aan de man te brengen. Dat kan wel eens nuttig zijn natuurlijk. […]

  48. March 22nd, 2007 at 3:11 pm
    Michael Carnell said

    Very inspiring. I am going to print this out and keep it with me. Just the kind of reminder I need. Thanks!

  49. March 22nd, 2007 at 9:40 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Michael!
    Thank you for your response to what I wrote. We all need this kind of wremind about what we write. In fact, that’s why I srote it — to remind me. :)

  50. March 30th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
    Speedlinking 8 January 2007 said

    […] Liz Strauss at successful-blog.com writes 10 Reasons to Write and Publish Every Day. The same points could be made for photography as well. […]

  51. April 3rd, 2007 at 9:14 pm
    Sandra said

    I was just referred to your site today… how wonderful! I’m a new blogger but have always loved to write. I’ve never published anything but Blogging and studying the style of other Bloggers (like u) have really inspired me. I’m beginning to work on a project I feel very passionate about.
    Keep giving to the world :)
    Blessings,
    Sandra

  52. April 3rd, 2007 at 9:30 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Sandra!
    Welcome and thank you!
    New bloggers, experienced bloggers, everyone who blogs is welcome. If you love to write, stick around lots of us do. Hang in here. :)

  53. April 4th, 2007 at 4:40 am
    Emmie said

    Wow what a great list of inspiration. Thanks Liz!

  54. April 4th, 2007 at 6:24 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Emmie,
    Welcome!
    Thank you! This post is one I use often and in fact, I just sent last night to someone. who was feeling like she wasn’t a very good writer.

  55. April 24th, 2007 at 10:43 am
    Put Yourself into What You Write - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once. said

    […] Related 10 Reasons to Write and Publish Every Day […]

  56. April 25th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
    You Can’t Write My Blog Post - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once. said

    […] 10 Reasons to Write and Publish Every Day Put Yourself into What You […]

  57. May 1st, 2007 at 10:13 pm
    Rene Kriest@ProBloggerWorld.de said

    Nice and very motivational posting. Thank you very much, Liz!

    Have a nice day,

    René/ProBloggerWorl.de

  58. May 23rd, 2007 at 5:19 pm
    Bob Glaza said

    why is it always 57 comments to get to the bottom Liz? LOL…even if it is 6 months later :) - Christine Kane says print this post off - I’m taking her advice -

  59. May 23rd, 2007 at 8:13 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Bob!
    I was thinking what took YOU so long to get here. It seems like you would already know this. I bet you do. :)

  60. May 23rd, 2007 at 8:15 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi René,
    How did I miss your comment? I’m sorry it took me so long to respond. Thank you for reading and listening to what I have to say. You are one of the reasons I write and publish every day. :)

  61. May 24th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
    Bob Glaza said

    Knowing and doing :) those are 2 verbs - right?!?! Practice, practice, practice - a new mantra :)

  62. May 24th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Oh Bob!
    I think you’re doing what you know how to do quite well actually. :)

  63. June 28th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
    dAP said

    Liz

    Thank you for the inspiring 10 Reasons.
    I’ve been struggling with sitting down before or after work on a daily basis.
    You have given me a nice encouraging boost to get on with it.
    This site is definitely going into my writers favorites.
    Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing.
    Take care…

  64. June 28th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi DAP,
    Welcome. Your single comment was like 10 reasons for me to keep writing. Thank you.

    You’re not a stanger anymore. :)

  65. July 1st, 2007 at 6:30 am
    Anders said

    Thank you for this post, Liz. To the first point I would add that writing creates a context to think in, not just for ourselves but for other people as well.

  66. July 1st, 2007 at 6:34 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Anders!
    Welcome and thank you.

    More and more I find myself, in conversations, saying “This is context.” I need to frame my thoughts to make certain they don’t weighed on the wrong scale. I hope that the person I’m speaking to in that instance uses the context in that way.

    So your comment underscores, that very need I see when I talk as well.

    You’re not a stranger anymore. :)

  67. November 20th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
    If You Were To Start Again, What Would You Change? » Reader Appreciation Project said

    […] if I wrote one article per day, every day, over the past year? Where would my blog be […]

  68. February 2nd, 2008 at 10:58 pm
    Roberto said

    Hello!
    Thanks for inspire to open my blog! JA!
    You are completely right!
    Roberto

  69. February 3rd, 2008 at 6:57 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Roberto!
    Welcome and thank you! :)

    Keep on blogging the benefits are too many to give up. I know, I’ve been there. :)

  70. June 28th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
    O dia da noite » Arquivo » Da lei da escrita diária said

    […] parecido, apenas conselhos. Descobri que a unanimidade fomenta a tal regra, chega a ser estranho, uma auto-ajuda para escritores.  Gosto especialmente do argumento de que, assim, construímos uma […]

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