Hints for Writing Better Blog Posts

If you're writing a new blog post you should ask and answer some basic questions ... who, what, when, where, how, and why? These are questions that journalists ask themselves when researching a story. 

These questions can also apply to making a better blog post. 

However, one of the problems with this is that you can get mired on one question and go down a 'rabbit hole'. You think of so many things you want to write in response to answering one of the questions that you lose yourself for hours before moving on to the next question.

Following a 'stream of consciousness' on one question can lead to a very long post and actually turn off your followers: everyone has limited time and if they see your post is extremely long they'll ignore the post, won't leave a comment (and, it's the comments you want), and move on to other people that they follow.

Another hint for better posts is to be cheerful about what you write. No one likes a lot of negativity. You don't want your posts to be a 'downer'.

 You may be thinking that you do want to criticize someone sometimes. For example, something that a politician says or does that really bothers you. So, you may not get past the first question of 'who'. 

Another hint is to write out your post long hand (double- or triple-spaced) and edit it on paper. It could save you a lot of time and energy with needed editing.

Last hint: always carefully spell-check your post before publishing it!

Memories

I was looking at the latest radar map of  Manitoba and NW Ontario and it triggered so many memories of  the places that I've visited over the years by myself, with friends, or with relatives. As I approach 80, I have tons of memories, mostly good ones but all sparking good thoughts of days gone by.

Some are sad thoughts. First, I miss friends and relatives who have passed away. We had many good trips together; many good conversations; many sharing of heart to heart feelings. Wow ... there have been so many good people in my life! My Dad, my Mom, my step-father Jack, my grandparents (the Hiscocks), my aunts and uncles ... I miss all of them who have passed away.

I also miss the dogs that were in my life for too few years. Lassie, Laddie, Cassie, Saxon, Megan, Mollie, Holly, and Gus. Saxon, Holly and Gus, are especially missed. Most of all, Holly. Holly and I were totally bonded to each other. If there's a dog heaven, I hope I go there when I die and that I will be reunited with these good canine friends. I'm sure those readers of this post who have loved and lost their dogs will understand how I feel.

On a brighter note, I also feel blessed by my children and their children and by their husbands and wives. I have so much to be thankful for! Of all these people, I'm most thankful for my wife Margaret. I think she's the reason I've lived so long.

And the beat goes on ...

Today, the home renovations continue. Yesterday, the old flooring in the kitchen and dining room was removed an tossed into the large metal bin now parked on one side of our driveway. Also, the remaining furniture was moved to the basement. Because there's a second fridge and freezer in the basement, we can still heat up lunch and supper meals and make morning smoothies.

Today, a plumber is making sure all the pipes associated with the home's plumbing is being assessed and fixed if necessary. Soon, we'll have a functioning dishwasher put back in place. Currently, without a kitchen sink anymore, M is washing out dirty dishes and cutlery in the bathtub in my bathroom.

All of this is challenging to us and to our new 19-month old golden retriever, Johnny. I've posted a picture of him below. We've had him here for only a few days. Coming from Florida, our winter conditions were a big surprise for him! He's adjusting quickly to these conditions and to going for walks with M. He sure didn't like having to wear winter boots to protect his feet.

He's lighter in colour than Gus was. 

Johnny is happily filling the void left by the passing of Gus. Like Gus, he loves people!

Johnny will be visiting our Vet this afternoon for his various vaccinations, including a rabies shot.

I'll keep you posted on his adventures here in the coming weeks and months.