Overcoming that Blank Page
My experience overcoming that blank page, and what ultimately pushed me to start writing.
That blank page. That ominous blank page. The entirety of four long months I stared at that page. Each and every day I would return to the computer with a new found hope. Every article I read and tweet I saw inspired me to start something new.
I was the only person who could change my situation, and it was time to do something about it.
So I returned to that blank page only to find myself at a loss for inspiration once again. I meandered through my scattered brain. I begged for inspiration from somewhere up there.
All of the articles and books tell you to write what you know. They say that if you share knowledge of a past experience or a new project you could easily write something wonderful from the heart. I can assure you it is not that simple.
After this dull period of blank pages, I decided to try flipping perspectives. The lack of inspiration was more so out of fear than out of sheer vacancy in my mind. I had this increasing fear that my first post would be greeted with poor remarks and little response. I was afraid my knowledge was not extensive enough to compete with some of the incredible articles already on the web.
Then I came to a realization. All of those articles about writing your first post were completely right. It is not a matter of the topic, however. It is a matter of simply doing it. One of the most powerful brands in the world lives by that phrase: Just do it. The only way I was ever going to improve was through constant practice and criticism. I needed to open myself up to the harsh world and simply start. I needed to write.
Forget the fear of rejection. Through failure I can find success — through writing I can find hope, that some day I can aspire to be as insightful as the great minds to precede me.
Currently working on FilterGrade. Say hi @moloneymike.