The Daily Post is on hiatus this week, so we’ll be highlighting great posts from the archives that you might have missed the first time around (never fear — there’ll still be a new Photo Challenge on Friday!).
For the Weekly Writing Challenge, here’s one that was a fan favorite the first time around. If you’re in a blogging slump, it just might give you the creative boost you need.
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Last week, we highlighted Tim of Get Second Lunch, whose latest post had just been Freshly Pressed. One of the things that drew us to his post was his unique style—illustration-heavy posts that give him a great opportunity to put his own spin on familiar topics.
We certainly don’t want to suggest that everyone needs to start illustrating their posts; goodness knows The Daily Post would just end up awash in crudely-drawn stick figures. It did get us thinking, though: what if we occasionally pushed ourselves out of our comfort zones and tried an unexpected post style? It could be interesting to readers, but more importantly, it could help us expand our boundaries, push past writers’ block, and spark ideas for other posts.
So this week, we challenge you to step outside your blogging box and try something totally different:
- If you normally write non-fiction, try fiction.
- If you normally write fiction, try poetry.
- If you normally post photos, try writing.
- If you normally just write, try including photos.
Need a little more guidance? Check out these post types, and pick one. Don’t opt for something that seems immediately doable; go with something you’ll have to work at a bit:
- Stream-of-consciousness
- Short fiction
- A day in the life
- Instructions on doing/making something
- Top ten lists
- An open letter
- An explanation of a topic you know a lot about
- A walk down memory lane
- A rant
- News/current event analysis
- A book, movie, or music review
The goal of this challenge isn’t to turn you into someone you’re not, but simply to see what you can take away from trying something completely new. The better we understand all the creative avenues open to us, the more effective we can be as writers, bloggers, and communicators.
At the end of your post, take a minute to reflect on the experience of creating it. Was it easier than you thought? Harder? Did you learn anything useful? Will you incorporate the new style into your repertoire? Would you try this exercise again with a different style?
We had a blast reading through last week’s Metaphor and Simile entries, and can’t wait to see what you come up with in another wide-open challenge!
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I missed this one (I don’t know how) but it was fun to put together 🙂 Short and I hope — pithy.
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Trying to shake it up – hard, but fun! http://manresamaine.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/mission-memories/
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First time, micro Playwriting, in which a landscape talks back to the artist who paints it: http://artmoscow.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/if-landscapes-could-talk-back-to-artists/
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My first attempt at writing a letter, about college memories!
http://mlin427.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/dear-college-what-do-i-miss-about-you-2/
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Dear Michelle,
a very good topic – will defintely try to write something! When is the topic closed for posting our contributions?
Anne
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Comments here will close after six days, although you’re always free to address the topic on your blog.
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ok, thanks for the quick answer!
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So here I go stretching my writing thoughts:http://joeowensblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/weekly-writing-challenge-7-october/
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OK, so this is my first time… 🙂
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I don’t usually blog about my relationship so I thought this time, I should let out my emotions and write an open letter. I hope you take little of your time on reading it : http://heartyblue.com/the-fourth
Thank you! 🙂
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I’m no great photographer, but my daughter will be turning 17 in a couple of weeks and I decided to try my hand at a pictorial journey of her life so far.
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Hi all,
Is it enough to tag my post with the ‘writing challenge’ caption or do i have to add something to it to enter?
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I normally write on other blogs and sites. I enjoy analysing particularly history and politics. But will try fiction and poetry. I’m getting the challenge. Thanks to a friend who suggested WordPress.com. Great opportunity especially for aspiring writers and readers too.
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http://thatgirl104.wordpress.com/
My tragic life…
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Nikon inspired this blast…
http://caughtbytheeyeofmankind.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/weekly-writing-challenge-blast-from-the-past/
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http://thisnetwork.wordpress.com/
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Here’s my submission:
http://skre8tive.wordpress.com/2013/10/09/a-1000-words-can-translate-a-picture/
I definitely experimented with a style I have never tried before – descriptive writing. Enjoy:)
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http://redzeppelinblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/a-done-deal/
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The Mafia, America & Evil…
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Just wrote my first real post and saw this. Enjoy : ) http://tailoredidentity.wordpress.com/
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What do you think? http://realtalewryter.wordpress.com/2013/10/06/the-realtalewryter-writes-retail/
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This is a really good idea, I will try out fiction writing in the near future and see how I get on. 🙂
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