This is a shout-out to all you potential-bloggers trapped in lazy-bones’ bodies! If you like writing as much as I like Twilight (err, which means you don’t), but you still want to blog – now how will that work?

My sister-in-law who just started her degree program in Cairo wanted to blog – but claimed to ‘hate’ writing, and too lazy to pen words. However, she has an eye for interesting details, evident from the many photographs of the unusual sights in Cairo that she posted on her facebook page.

I personally think it’s a waste to have so many wonderful photographs, and experiencing a whole new life in a foreign country – and not share it with the rest of the blogosphere – so when she wondered on the possibility of having a blog, I just gave her a big nudge and encouragement – also a few useful tips to blog, for someone lacking the passion for writing!

Also, a few bloggers I know had a blog in the past, and was fairly consistent in blogging. However, a year or two later, these blogs are just ghost town in the city of blogosphere, hurling aimlessly through the world wide web, collecting e-cob web – because they simply stopped blogging!

Though most blogs are textual, who says you’re supposed to write, and do nothing else? Here are some other stuff you can do with your blog, if you’re not too keen on writing a 500-word essay…

GO BACK TO REASON
Why do you blog in the first place? Think back, on day one – the day you register for an account at bloggers or wordpress – what was the need for this space in the world wide web?

• The need to share your stories with someone; anyone?
• Tons of pictures in your folders, and facebook or flickr are not enough to describe them in detail?
• Just want to express yourself?
• You want to join the many contests available with great prizes?

Go back to that original reason, and you will be motivated to blog again.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE
You’ve got to write what you know and like, or blogging will become a bore and a chore. Imagine if I were asked to watch Twilight, and comment on its script, casts, character interpretation, cinematography and sound – I’d feel like being forced to watch paint dry – what a chore!

For example, right at this very moment, I’m thinking of waffles. I love waffles. The aroma of a well-toasted waffles permeated throughout the kitchen. Hot, crispy waffles. Waffles with drips of honey and melted butter slabbed on top. The sweet-salty combo of butter and honey gets me salivating without a doubt.

Oh, wow. (Can we take a break? I need to toast some waffles now!)

Okay, I’m back. Where was I? Oh yes, exploring your likes and dislikes to get a good posting. Oh, and with that waffle story, I got one posting! So go and explore your likes and dislikes. What moves you, grooves you? Go write!

PICTURE PERFECT
Oh, what a cliche – ‘a picture speaks a thousand words’ – but you don’t need to write as many words! One paragraph would do, and even if that is too much, even a single catchy sentence may do the trick!

There was one time, I collected the ‘rejected’ shots I took of my son khaleef at the beach, and found I could play around with the weird-angled shots and create captions from them. Even that can become one blog post. Check it out here!

Too lazy to blog today? Go to your picture folders – yes, do it now! Pick one great picture; you at your cubicle posing in front of the PC pretending to work when you’re actually updating your FB status, your kid smiling the day he lost his front tooth, or you and hubby hugging a tree together in some taman bunga, a yummy-looking lauk you made for dinner a few weeks back or simply a group of smiling people at a family gathering.

These examples are just your average day at work, with your kids, with you hubby and family – but it can mean a lot more if you add in words to describe what’s happening in the picture, or simply a thought about the picture. You can even create words of wisdom that is illustrated by the picture you chose.

One sentence would do, a paragraph would be better! At the very least, it will get you writing again!

ONE WORD BLOG
Think of a word – any word. And then write about that word.

For example, let’s try the word ‘smile’ :

• how your husband’s smile captured your heart
• your baby got his/her first baby tooth and smile
• good dental hygiene leads to great smile
• how come people’s smile looks weird in pasport photographs?
• do you smile at strangers?
• muscles used when smiling

Again, one paragraph would do! Want it to be more challenging? Get your husband or kid to suggest a word. If it’s thought-wreching enough, you’d eventually find yourself writing more than just a paragraph!

SING WITH ME
Is there anyone who doesn’t enjoy a little music every now and then? And most people surely sing during their free time, in public or in the personal confine of their shower.

Put up song lyrics in your blog, and tell your readers why this particular song is special, or meaningful to you. Dedicate it to someone, or to simply stress a point.

Now that we’re on the subject of song, why not add poetry in the pile? Meaningful poems that expresses your feelings would be nice for a blog post when you don’t feel like writing.

WATCH THIS VIDEO
I read somewhere that puting videos in blogs are a waste, because if the readers want to watch a video, they can always go to youtube. Well, I disagree – I mean yeah sure you can go to youtube, but placing a video in blogs would personalized the experience of watching the video, because this particular video is chosen by the blogger him/herself.

Readers would get to know the blogger better seeing the video of your choice – are you a Rihanna fan, or Siti? Do you put up talks by Fadzilah Kamsah or Randy Pausch? Do you share your personal video, or a movie trailer?

Videos on blogs show the blogger’s preferance, taste and likings – at the same time making the blogger relatable to his/her readers. It’s a way for you bloggers to introduce a part of you to the blogosphere!

15 MINUTES TOPS!
How about timing yourself?

15-30 minutes to write as much as you can, and then stop. Publish whatever blabbering you have. It’s fine! Random readers who visit your blog might not ‘get’ your ramblings, but your friends would love it, because writings that come naturally like that will come out as if you’re speaking to them!

QUOTABLE QUOTES
Found a quote that touches your heart? Or provoke your thought? Share it with your readers. You can leave the quote as it is for the readers to think it through, or you can accompany it with a story that further illustrate the point of your chosen quote.

The quotes don’t have to come from famous dead people – it can even come from your little kiddos or spouse – something sweet that he/she said, and you know how kids can say the darnest thing – that alone could branch out into a blogpost!

MOTIVATING COMMENTS
Wasn’t there a time where one of your postings attracted so many comments, that you read them over and over again because you not only love the attention, but appreciate each words directed at your posting?

Remember that feeling when you read an encouraging comment that made you feel like writing another posting exactly like the one they are praising? Are you forgeting the way the comments made you feel when they debated on what you had written – to show that you wrote something interesting enough for people to wonder and think about?

If you find yourself too lazy too blog because you hate writing to begin with – then scroll back to your old postings that were popular. Look how people appreciate you or agree with your opinion through comments.

I’m sure that when the good feeling begins to come back to you, you will be motivated to start blogging again!

BLOG HOP
You hate writing, but perhaps you like reading better? So go hop on the bloggy LRT and visit other blogs!

• It’s the fastest way to get ideas – commenting on other people’s postings
• A way to check out what other people who shares the same niche are writing
• Get inspired by interesting entries that uses short, simple words
• Blog about what you found out during blog-hopping!

STILL TOO LAZY TO BLOG? TRY 1 OR 2 TIPS!
So, resurrect your inner-blogger with these tips and start writing! There are thousands of stories and tales begging to be told!

Remember, even if you despise writing, it shouldn’t stop you from having a blog, because documented memories and shared feelings can be done not just in written words but through pictures, songs and little quotes.

Have fun blogging!

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