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Writing– The 2 PowerQuestions

May 17, 2006 by Liz Leave a Comment

The Second Question

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When I start with that blank page, whether I think about it or I stare into space, two questions are waiting in white letters on the white space. I have to make myself see them and answer them before I will ever be able to write. The questions are basic and always the same.

What will your topic be?

and

What do you want to say about it?

If I can answer those two questions, the piece pretty much writes itself.

It really is as simple as that.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
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The Power Writing Series on the SUCCESSFUL SERIES PAGE

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Filed Under: Strategy/Analysis, Successful Blog, Writing Tagged With: bc, power_writing, questions, transitions, writer's_block, writing_series

Comments

  1. Steve says

    May 17, 2006 at 10:58 AM

    That is a good point. I try to reverse it and think what I want to write about first and then a title comes to me almost immediately. Then I write to match it.

    Other times I answer the 2nd one and then when I am done writing I go back and answer the 1st one. Sometimes it is hard for me to title the article afterwards because as I write I feel incomplete… Lol

    Reply
  2. ME Strauss says

    May 17, 2006 at 11:56 AM

    Hi Steve,
    There IS a slight difference between what you want to write about and what you want to SAY. Sometimes folks can get stuck in the topic they know they want to write about because they haven’t yet figured out what it is they want to say about that topic. Does that make sense?

    Reply
  3. Tom Vander Well says

    May 17, 2006 at 5:16 PM

    When I’m empty and can’t come up with a good topic, I realize I must “fill the well.” Here’s what I do: I challenge myself to find three blogs I’ve never read before. I do a blog search, or more often I start checking out the blog rolls of bloggers I already read and like (sometimes, when you read feeds in a feedreader, you never even see the blog roll – pity). Within minutes I generally have read something or seen something that shifts my heart or brain into gear. Now, not only do I have something to say or respond to – but I have a great link to share with my readers that will introduce them to my new “friend” and extend the conversation.

    Reply
  4. ME Strauss says

    May 17, 2006 at 5:20 PM

    Tom,
    That’s a great idea and a really positive one. Thanks for sharing it on a Wednesday afternoon when everyone is probably feeling a little tired . . . and maybe not up to being too cheery.

    You’re a good one Tom Vander Well!

    Reply
  5. Tom Vander Well says

    May 17, 2006 at 5:27 PM

    I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed lethargy in the blogosphere. Come on everybody! We need blog aerobics! Post!…Link!…Comment!
    Post!…Link!…Comment!
    Post!…Link!…Comment!
    Post!…Link!…Comment!
    (check your site meter)
    Work it! Work it! Work it!

    Reply
  6. ME Strauss says

    May 17, 2006 at 5:29 PM

    Don’t forget to hit that back button. 🙂

    Oh no! Tomorrow is Thursday. I still haven’t got the hang of Thursdays. I’m going to have to think up some Thursday event.

    Reply

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