By David Ettinger
I thought it would be nice just to kick some creativity around. If you don’t mind sharing, I’d like to ask you, Where do you get your blog ideas from?
For me, at least 85 percent comes from my daily Bible reading. For instance, my most recent blog, “Why Believers ‘Get’ God,” came directly from reading the Book of 1 John. I got to the very end of the book, read Chapter 5, verse 20, was struck by it, and a blog was born.
The other 15 percent of my blogs come from politics, if it gets under my skin enough; current events, if impactful enough; and least of all, devotionals. I’m primarily a Bible teacher, so the vast majority of my blogs involve expounding upon Scripture.
I know others of you, on the other hand, are more devotional and personal in nature, and your blogs reflect that.
So, for as much as you care to share, I’d love to know – and I think readers of this post will as well – where do you get your blog ideas. You can be brief or long in your replies; it’s entirely up to you. I love hearing how the creative process works in others, and I’d love to hear how your creative process works!
Bruce
August 17, 2019
Hi David, I’d say about 80% of my topics come from scripture reading that I’m doing, I keep notes when I’m studying on different subjects that come to mind etc. Reposts for articles that I think are really good is another source and if I’m having a problem in a specific area of my walk, I may write on that also. I find that sometimes when I write about something it actually helps me figure it out a little clearer. Sometimes I write on subjects that I see others are having problems with if I think I can help. I also like to encourage others when I can. I try to keep away from politics if at all possible but sometimes that is difficult. Hope that helps!
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dettinger47
August 17, 2019
Thank you, Bruce. You have a wide range of “inspiration.” I would imagine the notes you take would be a good source of blog topics.
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mrsmariposa2014
August 17, 2019
Good question! Mine come from a lot of places. My family circumstances and all God has done for us naturally touched off a vast majority in the past. Day to day raising special needs kiddos on a shoestring and a prayer is rich with Biblical lessons, after all! Whereas personal experience and abject honesty are still a major inspiration, I find myself drawn deeper into scripture and observations in our society now than ever before. I think these “wrestling” years of my writing have been a necessary component to growth. Now that I feel unhampered by the pressures of self-promotion, I feel like I am freer to seek His purpose above my own. He uses scripture in a lot of instances to speak to me these days, but I have also seen Him use conversations with other believers ( especially here. ☺), worship songs, headlines, or something my kids say. I guess you could say I just try to stay in an attitude of listening for His voice at all times- with writing materials handy. ☺
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dettinger47
August 17, 2019
Great response, Marisa. There may be the seedlings of a blog here!
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mrsmariposa2014
August 17, 2019
Thank you! Hmm. I will have to keep that in mind! ☺
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brucesbiblepage
August 17, 2019
Wow! I don’t know who this Bruce guy is (the other one above). But I could have written that myself, his response looks like me and my response is the same. I am encouraged reading other blogs like yours, so reblogging is picking up on mine. Useful to information and politics does take up some space too
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dettinger47
August 17, 2019
Appreciate your feedback, Bruce. You’d enjoy the other Bruce’s blog!
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brucesbiblepage
August 17, 2019
Thanks, already went there and followed him. he just followed me too
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dettinger47
August 17, 2019
Excellent!
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BibleBloggerGirl
August 17, 2019
Good idea for a post! My ideas come from a myriad of places. Most of the time, they come from Scripture and from things God is teaching me.
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dettinger47
August 17, 2019
A great source for blog material! Thank you for sharing.
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seekingdivineperspective
August 17, 2019
My Bible readings give me ideas, too. But as you have no doubt noticed, I am a storyteller, so I feel the need to illustrate my points. Many of my blogs are personal experiences, and not always recent. When I talking to someone and I find myself relating something memorable that happened many years ago and what I learned from it, it will strike me that the story would make a good blog post. I also get ideas from discussions, things that get “under my skin,” as you put it.
What I wasn’t expecting when I started to blog was the number of times I am commenting on someone’s post at length and then realize what I’m writing should be a post on my own blog – especially if the other blogger says, “You should post that story on your own blog.” 😉
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dettinger47
August 17, 2019
Thank you for sharing. I’ve definitely noted that about your comments, and I know I’m one of those who have suggested you turn them into blogs. And why not … you’ve already planted the seed, might as well water it!
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seekingdivineperspective
August 17, 2019
Now all I need is a few weeks uninterrupted to write them all.
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Riverside Peace
August 17, 2019
I make a plan so I have articles on hand for about 6 months. I can edit and schedule when I’m happy with them. I post by categories. This way I have the balance of my favourite topics and genres.
Currently:
Sundays are usually a devotion based on a Bible reading. The first Sunday of the month I like to post a Bible verse inspired poem with a related photo and a Christian article on the 5th Sunday when it occurs.
Mondays are Haiku or Tanka poems with a photo from my collection.
Tuesdays I read posts by other bloggers and use my spare time to write short fiction. I also promote a blog I follow on Tuesdays.
Wednesdays I often reblog one of my own posts. Mostly because I like to visit my dad and shut-ins. I also write a lot.
Thursdays is usually allocated to poetry.
Fridays varies between short stories for “Children and Teens” and “Short Fictions”.
Saturdays I work on my photo galleries.
I don’t post every day every week but I need to be organised with my writing/reading time because I also help a lot with the grandchildren. My husband works interstate 3 – 4 days a week and so I try to schedule posts for the days he’s home. Those days are our time-together days. When he’s checking emails, I’ll spend some time responding to comments left.
It won’t suit everyone but it works for me. If circumstances change, then I’ll work through that too.
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dettinger47
August 17, 2019
Wow, that’s quite the diverse schedule. Thank you for sharing!
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Riverside Peace
August 17, 2019
You’re welcome. It’s Sunday here but I’ve been sick and didn’t go to church today. I don’t want to spread my germs. I enjoyed catching up on extra blogs this morning. 🙂
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dettinger47
August 17, 2019
Thank you for reading mine! I hope you feel better soon.
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Alethea's Mind
August 19, 2019
My blog ideas come mainly from my relationship with God and how it affects everything around me. Looking through God’s eyes in search of truth in the basic principles of life. A few of my posts have been inspired by family and friends, but the majority of them are thoughts stemming from my search for truth through God’s eyes.
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dettinger47
August 19, 2019
Excellent insights, Alethea. Thank you for sharing!
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Alethea's Mind
August 19, 2019
Thanks for asking, too.
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bigskybuckeye
August 22, 2019
Since I write on a variety of topics, I gather ideas from a number of sources. These include (in order of us):
Reading and studying God’s Word
Walking and experiencing God’s creation
My photography
Reading from books and the newspaper
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dettinger47
August 22, 2019
Thank you for sharing, Big Sky!
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Matt
August 23, 2019
Hi David! I am brand new to blogging! I started a blog because I have a passion for God’s Word and I want to share that with people. I came across your blog and have enjoyed what I’ve read thoroughly. Being as new as I am, I can’t give much help here, but I can tell you that I will probably be getting ideas from my personal Bible reading and through much prayer. Thank you for this post! I have loved reading everyone’s responses! Keep up the good work David!
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dettinger47
August 23, 2019
Thank you so much, Matt. I wish you the best as you begin to blog. God’s Word is always the believer’s best place for inspiration. I would say at the beginning, think in terms of shorter blogs, and then gradually expand. So much for unsolicited advice!
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Matt
August 23, 2019
I appreciate that David! I think I will have to start short for sure! I am new to writing for any audience, let alone putting my writings on the internet for the world to see. I want to make my writings purposeful to the best of my ability. I will try to go for quality rather than quantity. The advice is certainly appreciated!
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dettinger47
August 23, 2019
I read your blog. You write very well, and are off to an excellent start!
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