Looking At Life Through Blog-Colored Glasses

I’m starting to see blog post ideas in everything and I’m getting a little concerned.

It’s becoming a “conditioned reflex”.

I constantly have “blog” on the brain.

Things my co-workers say, television commercials, billboards along the highway, songs on the radio, personalized license plates — you name it — I can see the makings of a potential blog post.

Let’s face it …

I’m looking at life through blog-colored glasses.

One half of me is saying, “Oh, cool!  Another great idea!  I can turn this into a blog post.”  And the other half is saying, “Melanie, get a grip!  This is insanity.  Stop it.”

What do you think it is about blogging that makes us bloggers think this way?

Why is it we’re so attached to our blogs?  Why does blogging tend to permeate so many aspects of our lives?

If you’re looking at life through blog-colored glasses, tell me the last unlikely or unusual place you found a great idea for a blog post.

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  • I recently started blogging and I feel the same. Every weekend I’m looking for things that relate to my busienss to blog about the following day. It does help when you get good feedback. Makes looking at the world through a blog glass more fun.

    • Thanks for dropping in and Happy Blogging!

      Your plan to look for ideas to blog about on the weekends is a good one. Best of luck to you in the blogosphere. 🙂

  • Hey Melanie

    Blogging has become a addiction of mine ha, a good addiction that is though! i did one of the biggest bungee jumps in the world in New Zealand and before i jumped i thought to myself that this will make a good blog haha.

    great post

    lewys

    • WOW, Lewys — you are really courageous!

      And since bungee jumping isn’t something everyone has the chance to do … you could definitely turn your experience into a blog post. 🙂

      Blogging has become an addiction for me, too — and millions of other people!

      So …
      Welcome to my support group for blogging addicts! LOL!

      Thanks for the visit and come back any time,
      Melanie

  • I am guessing you perceive the world differently. That just means your mind is advancing, and maturing. If you see things, as beautiful, and crystal clear, then your evolving, if not then your mind is maturing.

    • Quite interesting thoughts — thanks for sharing!

      Given your philosophy …

      I would have to say part of the time I’m evolving and part of the time my mind is maturing. 🙂

      I don’t always see things as beautiful and crystal clear — only some of the time.

      Thanks for the visit,
      Melanie

  • Melanie,
    I can certainly relate to this. Blogging can become addictive and ideas pour out of us. When I go out walking, I get all these ideas for blog posts..I write them in my notebook, or in my Unpublished Blog Posts files. Most never see the light of day.

    What makes us do this? We’re creative, we’re writers, we love sharing our experiences, observations, and opinions with others, and hearing back about them. Sometimes, we can create discussions, forums, even causes. Blogs are our soapboxes where we can make ourselves heard.

    • Penelope! Wonderful to see you here!

      I’m betting most bloggers have posts that never see the light of day. 🙂

      Love this line …

      “Blogs are our soapboxes where we can make ourselves heard.”

      I think the “hearing back” part is the BEST.

      Melanie

  • Hi Melanie

    Haven’t been blog hopping much in awhile while I get my new site set up. It isn’t a blog so I get my ideas from doing the hard yards with research, research and more research lol

    For my blog sometimes it is from thoughts I have after reading comments of other blogs or things I notice happening in the blogging world that I have been pondering. I definitely don’t get writers block … not for the moment anyway.

    Have a great weekend Melanie and hope all’s going well for you too.

    Patricia Perth Australia

    • Hi Patricia!

      Well, you haven’t been blog hopping as usual and I haven’t been posting nearly as much as I used to. Too many other business-building activities on our plate.

      That’s okay.

      We need to keep our priorities in order and go with the flow, right? We can’t be all things to all people and there’s only so many hours in a day. We do the best we can with whatever we have going on at the moment.

      Good to know you’ve turned into the queen of research! 🙂

      Getting ideas for future posts from the comments readers leave is something I do, too. Comments are a wellspring of ideas!

      Take care and have a wonderful weekend,
      Melanie

      P.S. Please let us know when your new site goes “live”, okay?

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  • Hi Mel

    “2nd Place Prize – $350 (+1 Special Prize) Winner:
    Melanie – 5 Tantalizing Ways to Expose Yourself on Social Media – 9169 Points”

    Well done Mel – a great result and something to be proud of.

    • Thanks, Keith!

      All the wonderful comments you posted and a mention on your blog contributed to the points I earned and helped to pull me to the top.

      Couldn’t have done it without you, my friend!

      This contest was both really tough and really exhilarating at the same time — what a combo! 🙂

      Have you ever taken 2nd Place in a speech competition?

      Luv,
      Mel

      • Keith,

        If you have a minute, I would love to have you read my guest post on Hajra’s blog. Thanks!

        http://hajrak.blogspot.com/2011/06/fridays-will-be-differentthanks-to_23.html

        Gotta run and check out Tom (cool) Breeze’s affiliate program. Just heard rumor about it over at easyP.

        • For you Mel… of course I have a minute.

          • Loved your comment over at Hajra’s blog. See? Palmolive really IS kind to your hands, isn’t it?! 🙂

            Thanks for popping over there.

      • Have I ever taken second prize in a speech competition?

        Oh yes… many many times, and each time I’ve been gracious.
        I’ve taken my runners up cup, smiled and applauded the winner.

        Take a close look at this comment Mel, I mean real close… and you’ll see the tears. LOL

        • Keith,

          In my book …

          You’re a grand prize winner. 🙂

          I’ll shoot you over an email one of these days soon why sometimes taking 2nd Place is better than winning the proverbial blue ribbon.

          Stay tuned …

          It’s going to be a really interesting story.

          Mel

          • Look forward to that.

            You are on great form tonight Mel.
            Maybe next time, the competition should be a “best comments” competition.
            You’d walk it.

          • ” … a “best comments” competition.”

            I LOVE the way your brain works, Keith. 🙂

  • Hello Melanie,
    Just read your post over at Hjra’s Friday Feature so popped over here to see you!
    The weirdest place i found a blog post idea was, driving along and seeing a shoe in the middle of the road. I was amazed at how much I could write about it!

    • ooops! It should be Hajra. So sorry!

    • Hi Linda!

      ” … a shoe in the middle of the road.”

      Now that’s intriguing fodder for a blog post, for sure!
      You are definitely wearing blog-colored glasses.

      Come back and share the link to your “shoe” post, okay? You’ve piqued my curiosity. 🙂

      Thanks for popping over from my guest post on Hajra’s blog. I had tons of fun crafting that one. LOL!

      Melanie

  • Hi Mel
    Just mentioned you in the comments on this post…

    http://bestbloggingtipsonline.com/great-bloggers/#comment-3682

    Take a look and see what you think.

    • Yay! Thanks so much, Keith!

      I just visited Frank’s post and sent you some big hugs. Did you get them?

      The point you made was a REALLY good one. I, for one, appreciate that you brought it up.

      It’s one thing to be considered a popular “authority blogger” (someone with thousands of readers) and deemed a rockstar but …

      A lot of biggest names in blogging don’t respond to their comments or make any effort to interact with their readers. Too busy being famous, I guess. Heck, Seth Godin doesn’t even allow comments on his blog — comments are “closed”.

      But what fun is that?!

      If I ever get too big for my blogging britches, Keith, please remind me that engagement with my loyal readership is more important than fame.

      You Rock!!
      Melanie

      • Hi Mel
        I think that you have made my point much better than I did on Frank’s post.
        Thanks.

        I’m off now to get my hugs and kisses.

        BTW – what colour are your ” blogging britches”?
        Please post photo so that I can buy a matching pair. LOL

        • Hi Keith,

          There’s nothing finer than awakening on a Sunday morning, turning on my computer, and being asked the color of my blogging britches. LOL!

          BTW — they’re blue. Photo forthcoming. 🙂

          Mel

          • ASAP with the photo Mel.
            Got to have a pair of those blogging britches. LOL

            Anyway… I went out with my daughter this afternoon and she took some picies of me.
            Will upload to my “About me” page tonight or tomorrow.

            She really is good with the old pinhole camera.
            Unfortunately… no soft focus setting.

            I felt like saying…
            “All right Mr. De Mille, I’m ready for my close-up,”

            But she would have just said…
            “You’re weird dad.”

            I dunno, kids these days.

          • Goody gum drops, Keith!

            I can’t wait to see your daughter’s snapshots of you. I’m sure she captured your best side. 🙂

            I’m writing myself a note …
            “Keith’s About Me page tomorrow”.

  • Hi Melanie,

    As for me, it is not just about blogging. With the many success blog I have hopped recently, I now compare a lot of things to success. lol The best thing I could remember that I have compared lately is the championship win of the Dallas Mavericks. I haven’t read a blogpost about success relating to the team yet. 😀

    • Hi Nikki — nice to meet you!

      Brilliant observation!

      Crafting a blog post about success and relating it to the Mavericks is a fantastic idea. Good for you!

      I’m glad you stopped here on your blog-hopping route. 🙂

      Come by anytime,
      Melanie

  • My next blog, on Sunday, will be about my falling apart, junk van. I know that sounds crazy for a businesswoman blog, but I realize that when the things around me seem like they are falling apart or junky, it really affects my state of mind. Don’t get me wrong, I do have beautiful house, a wonderful husband, and 5 amazing children, but I haven’t driven a “nice” vehicle in years. I’m sure that after more than 300 blog posts, some of my readers think I’m a little crazy!

    Stacey

    • If your readers think you’re a little crazy, Stacey — that’s a really good thing!

      After all, who wants to read a dry, boring, uninteresting blog?
      Not me!
      And I bet more people will relate to your “junky van” post than you imagine. 🙂

      I say go for it!

      Thanks a heap for joining in the conversation and I hope you’ll come back again,
      Melanie

  • Hi Melanie I am a new follower. I was led to your blog from Hajra’s blog and your guest post. First of all I would like to wish you a very happy birthday. Next, I loved your guest post and left a comment.
    I think it’s not so much as we always have blogging on the brain but, that we want to share our thoughts and experiences about everything we see, taste and smell. Afterall, that is the reason that we started blogging to begin with right? I understand where you are coming from though because all day and night I am caught saying…”ooo I should write about that” and “I will be with you in a minute I need to put down this idea so I can write about it.” LOL Thank God my kids are teens or else their first words would be “blog.”

    • So pleased you popped over from Hajra’s blog, Jenni — I love it when someone new knocks on my door!

      I laughed out loud at this line in your comment …

      “Thank God my kids are teens or else their first words would be “blog.” LOL!

      And it’s always a joy to cross paths with a fellow “idea collector”. 🙂

      Come back anytime!
      Melanie

      • I am ecstatic you have no idea how much. In 2 days I have followed 3 blogs yours included that I can relate to and I actually enjoy reading. Humorous, fun writes have been so hard for me to come by.
        Would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter too.
        Thank you for having me and I can’t wait to read your future posts.

        • Love your enthusiasm, Jenni, and thanks for the kudos!

          Happy to hear you’ve found some blogs you want to follow. Sometimes it takes a while to zero in and settle in on your “blog-hopping route”. 🙂

          Looking forward to connecting with you away from the blog, as well.

          http://twitter.com/melaniekissell

          http://facebook.com/solomompreneur

          Hope you’re having a smooth-sailing Sunday!
          Melanie

  • I am seeking to create my own highly customized blog. I sketched what I wanted it to look like on Paint and now I don’t know where to begin. How do I make the web template I sketched on paint real? I did a little research and I see that WordPress.com gives full customization control to premium users. But what programs can I use to create the html for the templates I design? Thanks

    • Sounds like you’re in need of a WordPress expert!

      If you use Twitter, you’ll want to start following @SheilaAtwood and @mywebgal (Deb Augur). These two gals are good friends of mine and they’re both amazing WordPress experts! I’m sure you’ll be able to get all your questions answered. 🙂

  • Hi Melanie,
    I’ve noticed the same phenomenon, it’s insanity! But, thanks to awesome bloggers like yourself and others “sane” souls out there, I now often try to cool down my initial excitement with: OK, so how will that benefit my readers?
    This reader-centric approach is a new concept to me and work in progress.
    But, yes, blogging-colored glasses sit on my nose all the time. Can’t escape it:)
    Derek

    • I bet those blog-colored glasses of yours make you look very distinguished, Derek!

      I only say that because it’s easy to distinguish your brilliant work on goals and goal setting from all the rhetoric and blase stuff out there on the subject. 🙂

      Excited to hear you’re getting more and more tuned into the …

      ” … reader-centric approach”

      Our blog-colored glasses will be a constant reminder that we’re blogging to benefit our readers.

      Really jazzed you stopped by!
      Melanie

      • I spend a great deal of time reading blogs online and the title really caught my eyes on this one. I guess I read blogs with colored glasses always trying to learn and find an interesting topic I can learn from. Thanks for the creative title. Makes me really look at my titles and get more creative.

  • Great question!

    How about sitting in an airport waiting for a flight and watching what’s happening around you and wondering where’s the business building or marketing tip that I can take away from this experience?

    I feel you Melanie, it does take on a life of its own…and I rather enjoy it! (I know…weird…smile)

    • I’m pretty sure they have support groups for people like us, Chris. LOL!

      Not only sitting in an airport checking out your surroundings …

      Try doing it in a bus station! You see all kinds of weird happenings there. I don’t know what it is about bus stations, but they seem to attract a “strange” breed of people. 🙂

      Thanks for coming by today!
      Melanie

  • I was laughing as I read your post, because I just did this. I attempted my first batch of homemade sweet tea tonight. It came out a little dark and a little sweet (picture more of an iced coffee color). It occurred to me that I could write about this and I probably will. I took a picture of the tea just in case.

    • Good for you, Cyndy — that’s the spirit! 🙂

      Welcome to the world of blog-colored glasses and iced coffee-colored sweet tea! LOL!

      Nice to meet you and come by anytime,
      Melanie

  • Hi Melanie… I just LOVE the title of this post and the fact that you are continually finding ideas for blog posts everywhere. I have to agree. Ideas do pop up in the strangest places and times, don’t they. Problem is, if I don’t write them down I’ll forget them. (And I just wrote a post on my herbs blog about improving memory naturally! LOL – I should have included paper and pen!)

    I also pay attention to commercials on TV, bits in movies, magazines and books, etc. The WORST is when I wake up in the middle of the night with an idea. It gets to the point I can’t get back to sleep.

    Yup… blog colored glasses!

    • I could have predicted with 100% accuracy that you’re a gal who wears blog-colored glasses, Deb! 🙂

      I know what you mean about those “middle of the night” revelations. I’ve just learned to cave in, get out of bed, and write the doggone idea down. Otherwise, it’s impossible to get back to sleep.

      Thanks for participating in the conversation!
      Melanie
      xoxo

  • I look through blog-Colored glasses all the time. I believe it is natural for bloggers to eat, drink, think, and sleep blogging. I am in tune with my surroundings and I receive and acknowledge the inspirations from God. This was a very in tune article regarding blogging. I definitely identified and enjoyed it.

    • Nice to meet you, Betty, and thanks for knocking on my door!

      You hit the bull’s eye with this …

      ” … it is natural for bloggers to eat, drink, think, and sleep blogging.”

      We bloggers are a very special breed. 🙂

      Blessings,
      Melanie

  • I call it inspiration. Those of us who love to share start seeing everything as a story. Our recall improves, we live it hours after it’s occurred, and then we just have to get it down on paper, or in this case into a blog post.

    I think it’s too bad that everyone doesn’t see the world like this; too bad for them. 😉

    • You hit the proverbial nail on the head, Mitch!

      If only more of us would open our hearts and minds to everything around us and be inspired.

      Just engaged in a nice conversation with Vernessa over at “Basic Blog Tips”. Saw you over there, too. Vernessa is a really good egg. 😉

      Thanks for knocking on my door today!

      Come back anytime,
      Melanie

  • Mel – here is a link…

    http://theasc.wordpress.com/2011/05/27/video-techniques/

    Hope you will behave or I could soon be an ex member of the ASC. LOL

    Can’t believe how amateur this thing is.
    All well meaning people but not bloggers.

    The road to hell, is indeed paved with good intention.
    Put a blogger in there and you don’t need good intention.

    With over 200 clubs in the UK they should be looking at comments in the hundreds.

    • Thanks, Keith.

      I promise … I’ll behave myself. You trust me, right? 🙂

      • Well yes… and no.
        Sort of.

        I’ve just been over there and had a mini tantrum.
        I despair but I don’t have the time to sort it out.

        Nuf said.

    • Okay, Keith …

      I think you’d be proud of me.

      I took a stroll over to The ASC News Blog, read three posts, and left my mark in the comment box.

      In case you’re not “subscribed” to the posts there, here’s a link I shared with Rob that lists (drum roll, please!!) a total of 118 Public Speaking Blogs: http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/public-speaking-blogs/

      I’m hoping he’ll start posting comments on some of these blogs (yours, too) so the club can benefit from more online visibility.

      By the way, check and see if you can list easyP on the directory above to boost your own blog’s visibility (not that you need it or anything – just sayin’) 😉

      Mel

      P.S. Thanks for letting me know you “sort of” trust me. Can’t tell you how good THAT feels.

      • F.Y.I. Keith,

        In the effort to help your club’s blog, I posted the link to The ASC News Blog in my social media stream along with a mention of Randy Cantrell’s video.

        Should help to peak a little interest.

        Mel

        • Cheers Mel
          With you and Vernessa going over there and commenting, the ASC will be able to report that due to the high quality Social Media plan that they have put in place… comments on the blog have tripled. LOL

          Speaking of comments, you aint doing half bad yourself.
          These threaded comments really help with the conversation.

          BTW – can’t see your’s and Vernessa’s comments on the ASC blog.
          The committee will be agonising if they should allow comments from two American ladies.

          The cry will go up…American ladies!

          • I believe you can’t see our comments over there yet, Keith, because the administrator of the blog has them set as “moderated”. He/she will have to approve them first.

            Let us pray. 🙂

            Mel

        • Cheers Mel
          BTW – just given you a Google +1, you’ve got 4 now.

          • Ooh, goody – thanks, Keith!

            I just installed my Google Plus One plugin this past week. Michelle Shaeffer recommended it so I trusted it was a good idea. I appreciate having people in my circle of online friends who take the time to keep up with these kinds of things.

          • Sorry Mel – difficult to type, cat on my lap trying to type along with me.
            Perhaps I should let him take over… it would make more sense. LOL

            I’ll take a look at the +1 plugin and probably install it on my local site.
            I keep a local site for trying things out, plugins and the like.

          • Oh, that’s a brilliant idea!

            I really like the concept of having a “testing ground”.

            Good for you, Keith. I’ll be on the lookout to see if Google Plus One makes the grade and ends up appearing on easyP.

            Go ahead and let your cat take over the typing.
            What could it hurt? 🙂

            It’s off to bed for me.
            Enjoy your weekend!

      • Hi Mel
        “…so the club can benefit from more online visibility.”

        You’ve got it in one.

        The ASC have a great product, but nobody knows that they exist.

        Thanks for the link – Six Minutes is a great site and I have tried to contact Andrew in the past but without success.
        Thanks for the reminder, I might try again.

        • Well, if you try to contact Andrew again, Keith, and you still don’t get a response from him, lay the assignment on me.

          I know people in high places. 🙂

          Mel

          • Will do Mel.

            “I know people in high places”

            First Kevin Kostner and now this revelation… who are you really Mel?

          • What do you care? You only “sort of” trust me. LOL! 🙂

  • Calm yourself Mel – nurse Davis here to help.

    A full recovery will take time but we’ll make a start straight away… before it’s too late.

    This weekend I want you to restrict your blogging to no more than say… 9 hours. LOL

    Let’s see how that goes.

    • Oh, Nurse Davis, thank goodness you’ve arrived!

      Restrict my blogging to 9 hours this weekend?! That’s like asking me to poke a needle in my eye!

      I’m already trying to recover from perfectionism and it’s been an uphill battle. But with your unsurpassed bedside manner and healing wit, I know I can beat this thing.

      Just hope your nursing care fees aren’t too steep. LOL

      Ooh! That gives me an idea for a blog post! 🙂

      Mel

  • Hey Melanie,

    What, you mean you’re not dreaming about blogging? I don’t think you have it bad enough! 🙂

    Ok, here’s one for you: I was looking at the grill and the barbeque pit in the backyard. I got an idea for a blog post!

    Next time you’re on a train or plane and see an “exec” in first class dictating notes to his assistant, correct yourself. It’s probably a blogger!

    • I gotta know! I gotta know!

      What idea did you come up with relating to your outdoor barbeque pit? You can’t leave us hanging in mid-air like that, Vernessa! 🙂

      You’re right …

      Those exec’s in first class are “blogging”. LOL

      Thanks for making the trip over here and have a fab weekend!

      Melanie

      • Ha ha! I’ll never tell! (Well, I’ll tell after I write it up.) It actually feels like it might go from “idea” to real blog post.

        I love coming over here… you have a great weekend, too!

        • Hey Vernessa — I love coming here, too! 🙂

          Actually, I live here part time. It’s my home away from home. And I love it when guests like you and Keith and other loyal readers come knocking on my door.

          Thanks for adding a little spunk and spark to my life!

    • Nice one V.
      Not sure if there are that many bloggers.
      I don’t know any bloggers in real life.

      Actually lots of my flesh and blood friends are too scared to leave a comment!
      I think that as seasoned bloggers we take for granted our familiarity with all things blog related.

      • Hey Keith!

        You’ve got a point … I can’t hardly coerce folk I know to leave a comment. But I used to be a lurker, too. The stats tell the story about visitors, especially when the comment numbers don’t add up. Oh, well. 🙂

        • Hi fellow “one time lurker”.
          Hard to imagine it now but leaving a comment used to take me ages.

          I’ve just left a comment on a site and the blogger replied saying that he had visited my site.
          I almost replied and said… have you lost the power to type. LOL
          But I didn’t.

          • LOL!!!

            ” … have you lost the power to type?”

            Thanks, Keith, for crankin’ up my weekend with this one. 🙂

        • Vernessa and Keith,

          Forget about family. When I tell my co-workers (savvy, smart folks) I have a blog they say, “A what??”

          Oh, brother. 🙂

          • I know lots of Public Speakers but when I ask them to come over and leave a comment… they start to look real shifty.

            I’m convinced that they are too embarrassed to say that they don’t know what to do.
            Best to just leave it.

            I’m a member of the ASC (Association of Speakers Clubs) which is a sort of UK version of Toastmasters, and they have a blog.
            Some bolg!
            With over 200 clubs in the UK the blog manages about 2 to 3 comments.
            If I had more time I’d offer to take it over, set up a Genesis blog and really get things moving.
            And I mean moving big time.

            Problem is, they have a committee system, which I just couldn’t cope with.
            Great shame but eh… I have easyP and a great community.

            Mel and Vernessa – thanks for being part of that community.

            This is Nurse Davis signing off.
            Have a great weekend both of you.

          • Send us the link to their blog, Keith. We’ll head over there and start a riot — I mean post some comments. 🙂

          • Riot! That’s a hoot! Keith & Melanie, I went over and left a comment on the ASC blog. Maybe they won’t think I’ve crashed the party (I did mention that I’ve done a little public speaking 🙂 ) .

            “One time lurker?” Still a lurker! I visit plenty of blogs where I read whatever I was looking for, then leave. Since there is this paradigm of “don’t just say ‘Great Post!’,” sometimes there’s no need to say anything. All too often, the rules defeat the goal. (Yeah, we can forget the spammers for a minute.)

            But think about it … remember the days when you didn’t have time to stay for the party, so you’d drop by, give the host/hostess a handshake, hug, kiss and run on to the next party you didn’t have time to stay at? Blogging is sometimes like that: You just want to say a quick, Hey! stopped by, great stuff, blah!

            What am I rambling about? Oh, that first “party” metaphor kinda got me. LOL And I arrived in NYC a few days ago, so I’m probably flashing forward to doing at least one fun thing.

            Always enjoy chatting with you guys!!

  • I think that’s great that you can come up with ideas for future blog posts anytime or anywhere. Also by putting your own personality in each one is an added plus. I try to share my own experiences through each of my posts so they don’t sound like I’m always trying to teach someone something in a bland way.

    I’m pretty boring because I would have to say that when I’m out and about, I’m not really thinking about future blog post topics. Sad, I know! I’m at home the majority of the time so my ideas always seem to come here. I might have to give that a try the next time I’m out though. You’ve definitely given me something to think about so thanks for that Melanie.

    Enjoy your day.

    Adrienne

    • Thanks for swinging by today, Adrienne!

      I know what you mean about trying hard not to share in a “bland” way. I hear ya!

      So much of what we want to teach our readers can be researched through the search engines. But finding ways to incorporate a personal story, adding a bit of humor, providing some examples, and putting our own special little twist on a topic will make the experience and the lesson a lot more attractive and interesting!

      About finding blog post ideas at home …

      One day I looked at all the items sitting on my desk and turned them into teachable moments! 🙂

      Take a peek here: https://www.melaniekissell.com/teachable-moments-from-silly-odds-ends-on-my-desk/

  • That’s the difference between a blogger and a writer who blogs. Someone who blogs but doesn’t consider himself a writer says, “I can’t think of anything to write about,” and is so desperate about that that he’s willing to pay someone to send him topics and ideas. There’s really no love of the craft; at best, there’s an obsessive fixation on metrics.

    A writer who blogs thinks, “Oh, goody, an audience!” and gets a little high on the heady interaction that’s made possible through blogging.

    And yes, I am trying to distract you by making you comment over HERE. 😉 Two can play at this game.

    • Look, Holly, my side is already splitting open from laughter and it’s making it very difficult to digest my dinner. Stop it!! 🙂

      I instantly wrapped my heart and my brain around your perspective on this subject. And I know we enjoy kidding around, but thanks for putting what I was thinking into words when I set out to craft this post.

      There’s a GARGANTUAN difference between a blogger and a writer who blogs — a literal Grand Canyon size difference!

      I notice the “obsessive fixation on metrics” all over the blogosphere. And I hate it. It tastes bitter in my mouth. That particular mindset discounts the beauty of language arts. It unravels the fibers of a craft I hold near and dear — just like a loose thread on an old sweater. Tug at it too many times, and the garment is ruined.

      “A writer who blogs thinks, “Oh, goody, an audience!” (That’s you and me, Holly)

      Thanks a heap for reading this little post and adorning the page with your insights!

      Melanie

  • At the moment I’m finding topics for blog posts by talking to young designers and illustrators. They have no idea what they’re getting themselves into, and they have many questions. I feel compelled to share ideas and tips and it really keeps me on my toes.

    • Brilliant approach, Dennis!

      Take all those questions young, aspiring designers and illustrators pose and turn each one into a blog post.

      They’re going to love you and find your blog a valuable reservoir of knowledge and expertise!

      And I really like that you said …

      This will keep you on your toes. Because it will! 🙂

      Great to see you here today – thanks for the visit,
      Melanie

  • I thought I was alone in my boat. People ask me where I get my ideas and I say life. I didn’t think of “blog colored glasses” That is kewl. I haves numerous ideas drafted on word documents, not to go back and write the issues.
    Thank you for giving me a picture of my vision.

    Patsy j Payne, MS
    Information Referral Consultant

    • Oh, Patsy, not to worry …

      There’s a BIG boat load of us! LOL!

      Happy to meet a kindred spirit who’s an idea “collector”.

      At this very moment, I have a word doc housing 107 potential blog post titles. Will I use them all? Probably not. But, like you, it’s nice to have those seeds. Planting them and getting them to grow is another story. 🙂

      Delighted you stopped by,
      Melanie

  • I am always thinking ahead …. looking for a good book or topic for my next blog post.

    I agree with Roberta that coming up with an idea is just a small part of writing a blog post. I have lots of good ideas but I can’t share them with others until I sit down and do the work that is needed to express these ideas in writing.

    • Hey Janette,

      Darn that blasted “work” part! 🙂

      But it’s got to be done. Without the elbow grease, an idea is just an idea.

      And I bet you’ve had occasions like me where you’ve come up with an interesting blog post idea but you just can’t build on it enough to turn it into a post. I hate it when that happens!

      Thanks for being here today!
      Melanie

  • I believe it’s a question of focus. You know how you purchase that beautiful metallic gorgeous shade of car and drive off the lot. Within the next couple of days you realize there are tons of that beautiful metallic shade car on the road.

    For you and many of us blogging is fun, but it’s also business. We know it’s part of our job for our company so we have to find content and we look out for things we can use. I do the same thing. In fact my next post on my business blog will be about an experience I had at an event that I found great comparisons for my business.

    Your posts are great to read, Melanie…so keep on looking at life through blog-colored glasses. 🙂

    • Hi Yvonne,

      I’ve always cherished having you in my camp! And we don’t even have to pitch a tent or spray on any mosquito repellent! 🙂

      I share your perspective and you’ve offered up a great example with that beautiful metallic shade of car.

      Yep. You and I will be wearing our blog-colored glasses for a long time to come.

      Looking forward to catching your post about the event you attended!
      Melanie

  • I think that’s what makes you a blogger. You live what you do. Nothing make sense to me these days if it can’t be related to blogging in some way. In which case, everything makes sense..

    • Ikenna, your brief comment speaks VOLUMES!

      “You live what you do.” Eloquently stated. 🙂

      It was nice crossing paths with you over at the We Blog Better guest posting contest and I’m so happy to see you here today.

      Thanks for swinging by!
      Melanie

  • I’m not sure of the last one exactly, but your mention of license plates made me remember a time when I saw PUG on different license plates within a short time span. I ended up writing about “dogged determination.”

    • There ya go, Leanne!

      “Dogged determination” is a PRIME example of how a post can come about for me, too. Thanks for sharing!

      Welcome to my world. 🙂

      Melanie
      xoxo

  • Hi Melanie
    I tend to wear blog coloured glasses all the time, only because Ive had a good old dose of writers block lately. I cant recall unusual or unlikely places except the recesses of my mind/intuition where they suddenly appear, sometimes as if by magic. Like this one – The Revolving Door!!! Sometimes I get only that, the title, other times a creative spark – oh bless those days.

    • Hey Maureen — great to see you here!

      “The Revolving Door” …

      Reminds me of how patients are oftentimes treated in doctor’s offices. Get ’em in and get ’em out fast! (a.k.a. a “revolving door” practice).

      For what it’s worth …

      I ONLY get “titles” when an idea strikes. Never anything more than that. Sometimes it’s just one word and other times a short phrase.

      It’s as if these little clues are tossed in my lap– mostly out of the blue — and then, magically, I’m supposed to figure out what they mean and what I’m supposed to do with them.

      Count your blessings anytime you get a robust creative spark! 🙂

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts,
      Melanie

  • OMY Gosh I used to be this way when I was knee deep in Paint Shop Pro I would start looking at the world through “Design” colored glasses. I was so addicted to Paint Shop Pro I was adding this and that and then I was like I am insane and now I am the same way with blogging.

    “There’s a blog post for that”
    “There is a 12 Step Program for Blog Addiction”
    “Blogging Addict”

    So many things come to mind LOL.

    Thank you Melanie for this I am glad we are not alone.

    • Me, too, Joe — glad I’m not the ONLY one out there with “blog” on the brain.

      I had to laugh when I read about you being “knee-deep” in Paint Shop Pro and wearing your “design-colored” glasses. LOL!

      LOVE your blog post titles! Your brain is definitely trained. 🙂

      Nice to see you here today,
      Melanie

  • I can’t say that at this moment in time I have that many ideas for my blog!! I have had it and i can get the ideas in the most inopportune moments ~thus I have learned to carry pen and paper and voice recorder with me at all times!! I used to walk my dog ~ she is a little old to go far enough to get the ideas flowing so I may have to get walking on my own… that is my best way to get ideas… yup that walking thing gets the ideas flowing! My blog colored glasses are a little grey right now!! LOL

    • Sounds like you might be looking through dirty windows, Holly!

      Time to clean those blog glasses! 🙂

      I love the notion of coming up with blog post ideas while outdoors — whether it’s taking a walk, sitting on the patio, washing your car, or working in the garden. An open air environment seems to open the mind to creative thinking.

      Thanks a lot for adding to the conversation,
      Melanie

  • I love the analogy Melanie! But you are right, since I have had my blog I do see and hear of so many things I could blog about. I like how it keeps my creative mind cranking. But then there is times I want to shut it all down which I think is normal and healthy.

    Really enjoyed this post!

    • I’m with ya on that thought, Lynn!

      But shutting down the “blog” signals in my brain is pretty tough.

      Reassuring to know you’re one of the crowd. 🙂

      Thanks for joining in the conversation today,
      Melanie

  • I know this: I can’t have a phone conversation any more without hearing SOMETHING that I need to blog about! Maybe because I live in a sports-nuts house (I’m the only female) that I think it’s the best way to get my voice heard! Without having to put the word “golf” in the sentence!! LOL

    • LOL! LOL! LOL!

      Martha, haven’t you tossed those golf clubs into the river yet? No sense trying to set them on fire — they don’t disintegrate easily. 🙂

      I hear ya. I get blog posts ideas while talking on the phone with my 84-yr-old mother! Boy, if THAT doesn’t say it ALL.

      So happy you came by today,
      Melanie

  • Melanie, I think that this tendency to see so many blog ideas stems from the urge to express yourself. Blogging is a lot like journaling. 200 years ago people wrote in their diaries. 50 years ago we journaled. Now we blog. But it’s all the same—the need to chronicle what’s going on. And now with social networking we can share all of our thoughts with many others, and hopefully it will make a difference in their lives.

    • You’ve said a mouthful with this one, Jeannette …

      ” … the urge to express yourself.”

      TOO TRUE!

      And, yes, I believe we bloggers are all setting out to make a difference in peoples’ lives.

      Thanks for passing along your insights!
      Melanie

  • Hello Michelle,
    I love this post. My life is a huge blog. I can watch the dog scratch his ear and find a blog post to write about.

    If nothing else it gives everything that used to be ‘normal’ a new perspective!

    Great post,
    Tammy

    • Hi Tammy,

      It’s okay that you’ve called me “Michelle”, don’t give it another thought. It’s tough sometimes to keep all those “M” names straight. I have more online friends with names that begin with “M” than you can shake a stick at! 🙂

      This line is a true GEM …

      “I can watch the dog scratch his ear and find a blog post to write about.”

      Welcome to the club! We have a HUGE membership. LOL!

      Thanks for stopping by,
      Melanie

  • OMG, I can completely relate!!! I have blogging on the mind 24/7. My family thinks I’m loosing it lol. I guess when you love what you do, that’s what happens. Happy blogging Melanie : )

    • You rang my bell with this one, Karla! …

      “I guess when you love what you do, that’s what happens.”

      It’s okay if your family thinks you’re losing it …

      They don’t know what we do about blogging, do they? Bloggers have something special other people don’t have. And if your family doesn’t want it, that’s all right. We’ll keep it to ourselves. 🙂

      Appreciate the visit!
      Melanie

  • Oh totally agree! I think blog when I read comments too…that is why I am thinking I should do a post on your comments, they are so well structured and thought over not just some random “nice, cool, interesting”.

    Maybe that just reflects our passion for blogging, our interest in it, our determination to come up with new posts, to beat the fear that we may never think of anything new, to check out our writing skills and be the blog crazy people we are!

    • Hey, “blog crazy” Hajra — thanks for visiting today! 🙂

      You’ve lifted to the surface two key elements …

      “Passion” and “Determination”. Couldn’t agree with you more!

      Thanks for the kudos and I’ll be looking forward to that post on my “comments”. Sounds like a party to me! LOL!

      You shine,
      Melanie

  • Great blog – ideas are cheap though it still takes work to create the blog with a meaningful set of words that tell a story and make a difference for the reader

    • Good point, Roberta!

      And not only are blog post ideas “cheap” …

      In my case, they’re “free”. LOL!

      Yes, there’s still work involved and creative thinking that needs to happen after you’ve come up with a blog post idea. No doubt about it. The “idea” is just a start. 🙂

      Thanks for swinging by,
      Melanie

  • For some reason, any time I am on my elliptical, I think of blog posts and other business ideas. Something about exercising hard that makes my brain work.

    • Seems like that elliptical gets your brain cells swirling, Daphne! 🙂

      Good for you. You’re killing two birds with one stone. I think it’s great you’re getting a fabulous workout and coming up with blog post ideas at the same time. Can’t beat that deal. LOL!

      Thanks so much for the visit,
      Melanie

  • Oh Melanie I love this! So nice to know I’m not the only one who is possessed by my blog and by story ideas. I don’t think we need to be concerned. Maybe we can sign up for an exorcism and get the group rate : ) I know of a few other bloggers who might join us!

    I think we’re this way for a couple of reasons. When the iron’s hot we need to strike. Writer’s block be damned. Also, we have a passion for what we write about so… everything can be turned into a post.

    It sure makes life interesting. We think all the time. We look at things from new and different angles. What a way to exercise the brain! And to see things from new perspectives! Don’t you think?

    Don’t. Stop. You come up with the most entertaining and enlightening posts!

    T

    • Thanks, Theresa – glad you enjoyed this one.

      ” … possessed by my blog and by story ideas.” You bet I am!

      I LOVE this …

      “Maybe we can sign up for an exorcism and get the group rate.” And, believe me, we’d have a pretty hefty group signing up. LOL!

      Okay, I guess I’ll keep my blog-colored glasses on. 🙂

      Mel

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