How long do you take to think about a subject you want to write about before you

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   mary615posted 9 years ago

   How long do you take to think about a subject you want to write about before you write the article.
   
   I take far too much time just thinking about a subject before I begin to write.  I feel like I am crippling myself by not just jumping in and writing.

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   Bob Bambergposted 9 years ago

   Hey Mary, long time no write to! I haven't written here in months, in fact, I haven't written on the other site either, but when I do there's usually an event that triggers it. I'll see something referred to, or someone will bring up a subject and I'm off an running.
   
   I'm still writing my weekly newspaper column, but haven't done anything else. My day job keeps me busy 6 days a week, so there isn't much time. And I'm also doing a freelance job re-writing and "Americanizing" an Argentine dog breeding site.
   
   I did have an amazing event occur here a few days ago. I wrote a hub two years ago about why ladybugs swarm your house this time of year (here in the Northeast). Over a 3 day period this past week it got over 41,000 views (mostly from Facebook) and generated $234.00 in income! I'm still stunned. Things have quieted down now, though, and I'm back to earning 8 cents a day Great to see you again!

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      mary615posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Good to see you too, Bob!  I should write a Hub, but I'm still thinking about a topic!  I like to write evergreen articles, you know, like "do it your self".  You sound very busy, and that's great!  Congrats on that Hub gaining all the traffic.

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   sheilamyersposted 9 years ago

   I'd have to say I don't think about them for very long between the time I decide what a hub will focus on and actually writing that particular hub. I have a long list of ideas for hubs and almost all of them are things I've thought about for quite a while already or discussed with other people several times. Other people may have different approaches to writing their hubs.
   
   The only way I could imagine you "crippling" yourself would be if you want to write a lot of hubs in order to have more views and earn a little more money - something I don't worry about because I don't write here for that purpose. Otherwise, I would view giving a lot of thought to each hub to be a good thing. Well-thought out hubs would probably be much more interesting and contain better information because you take the time to organize your thoughts and the information.
   
   Think about famous or well-known novelists. Some can crank out a novel every six months to a year while others may take years to write one novel. In the end, the length of time it takes to write doesn't matter. What counts is the quality of the work.

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      mary615posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I know I take far too long agonizing over a Hub.  I do want it to be a great article when I have finished, so I do aim for quality.  Thanks so much.

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   Dr Billy Kiddposted 9 years ago

   Something has got to click in my head that says, "Write about this." If it seems important I write it down. Then I look at what I've written the next day. If I cannot outline an article in my mind from it, I let it go. But if I see an outline, I write it down.
   It's kind if like a job. Get involved but don't go crazy over it until you see a picture of what you really want to say.

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      mary615posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I have been thinking of a topic for over a week, but just can't seem to get it down in writing.  I think I'll just have to jump in the waters and write!

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   Hendrikaposted 9 years ago

   I can be thinking about it for months, looking at all sides of the subject I want to write an article about

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      mary615posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You sound like me!!

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   DrBillSmithWriterposted 9 years ago

   Totally depends on the article. Sometimes it is only minutes, because the subject is on my mind and needs to be written. (And edited and rewritten, of course). Other times, it is days and weeks. Most likely, a few days. Nice question. Bill  ;-)

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      mary615posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, Bill.  That's pretty much how I write, but I sure waste a lot of time just thinking!

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      DrBillSmithWriterposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      It really isn't necessarily "wasted," Mary, in my opinion. You can well be visualizing that next article, rewriting in your mind, before you ever put words on paper/computer. You will also eliminate some extraneous material, as you "think." ;-)

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   aesta1posted 9 years ago

   Each time I think of a possible topic, I write it down. Then, when I have time, I go over my notes and pick one I start to research on. I write down the key points. Sometimes, when I am inspired I start writing but most of the time, I leave my research notes until I find another chunk of time. I just continue research on other topics when I don't feel inspired to write. I haven't written anything new here in HP because of all the editing I have to do on my lenses which is still ongoing. So, it depends on time to research and inspiration to write.

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      mary615posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I finally stopped "thinking" about writing, and jumped right in!  You are wise to research and save the info for use later on.  I can't imagine how much time and effort it is taking you former Squidoo folks here.  Good Luck!

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   C.V.Rajanposted 9 years ago

   The thinking actually goes at the back of the mind for a while. Then as I sit for typing it, the ideas flow in. When that 'flowing in' does not happen, I stop and continue it after a day or so.

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   Faith Reaperposted 8 years ago

   Hi Mary,
   
   I am the same way for I do think about the subject for a very long time before I even start writing on it.  I have wondered the same thing about crippling myself by not just jumping in.

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