I've recently got back on the horse and started blogging frequently again. I am trying my damndest to write one post a week like I used to back in my heyday. This resurgence of motivation was brought on by my new position. Not only allowing me to work with more interesting technologies but also actively supporting my blogging and giving me time to write on the job.
As I have ramped up my writing, I've noticed that my reasons for writing have changed compared to when I started a few years ago. My original goal of blogging was to push myself to improve my programming skills. Now, I feel that I write more to inform other developers of problems that I have faced or my possibly unique experiences.
Because of this change, I now keep a list of posts that I want to write. Whenever I solve a problem that I deem interesting. It goes onto the list. Especially if I had to spend a long time googling answers. Those are the ones that 100% go on the list.
So this brings me to my questions.
- What motivated you to start writing?
- What motivates you to keep you writing?
- Do you still write the same sort of content that you wrote when you started?
- Do you still enjoy it?
- If you could give one piece of advice to your past self (about blogging ofc...), what would it be?
- If you could give one piece of advice to others (also about blogging...), what would it be?
I guess I should answer them first.
What motivated you to start writing?
My motivation to start writing was a side product of me starting to listen to software podcasts. I was listening to This Developer's life (old but gold) and blogging was something they were pushing people to do. So, one day I idea lit up in my head and I decided to write about it. That lead me to my first ever post, Should you write comments?.
What motivates you to keep you writing?
I am motivated to keep writing, well, because I enjoy it. It can be tiring but it is definitely rewarding. Getting the small amount of feedback I get always helps. I had this interaction the other day that brought a smile to my face.
Do you still write the same sort of content that you wrote when you started?
Already answered that above.
Do you still enjoy it?
I realised this question is very much like the motivation one, although the answers could be different. Anyway, yes. I do still enjoy it.
If you could give one piece of advice to your past self, what would it be?
My honest to god recommendation would be to use tools like Grammarly to help improve my writing. I have noticed a strong improvement in the flow of my writing and a reduction in mistakes since I started using it. Generally, I am happy with my older content and it brought me to where I am today. So I would leave the rest as it is.
If you could give one piece of advice to others, what would it be?
To developers/engineers/programmers that haven't started writing, if you haven't sussed this out already, I really do recommend it. I have improved so much as an engineer and it has given me new opportunities. In fact, my blog is most likely the primary reason I have my current position. Not only that but the skills I learnt also helped me secure the role I had before that. I would not be the engineer I am today, without it. I am not saying that your blog will lead to these things. But, they might. Actually, I bet that they will. I am going all in on this. I believe that you will 100% become a better engineer through writing. So my advice is to go and get out there.
To everyone else that has already started writing. Good job. Keep it up. I am sure most of you don't need a pat on the back but some of you probably do. My advice to you is to carry on doing what you do. But, don't overdo it. Don't sacrifice all your own time to write. Enjoy life as well. If your employer offers 20% time, use that for writing. If they don't, it can't hurt to ask if this is something that they will allow you to do.
So those are my answers, what are yours?
Top comments (7)
What motivated you to start writing?
I got a lot out of reading other people's blogs, and I wanted to contribute in the same way
What motivates you to keep you writing?
Purely selfish reasons:
Do you still write the same sort of content that you wrote when you started?
Not really, I tend to do more abstract/persuasive and less tutorial type posts now.
Do you still enjoy it?
Definitely!
If you could give one piece of advice to your past self (about blogging ofc...), what would it be?
If you get posted to reddit or hackernews, don't let the nasty comments get you down. If you click through to the commenter's profile, you can often see a trail of mean/nasty comments. It's something wrong with them, not with you!
If you could give one piece of advice to others (also about blogging...), what would it be?
Find and engage with friendly, positive, helpful, and inspiring communities like Dev.to. Be the type of reader and commenter you want for your own posts.
Commenting on other's posts is something I think I need to do more. This site has made it easier to show appreciation but I think I could go further.
Fan girl moment. Thanks for the comment. Coding blocks is one of my favourite podcasts!! 😀😀
Small world, high five!
I write mainly for two reasons:
Haha, helping your future self is definitely a bonus. So many things I have evicted from my mind that I had documented in a blog post.
I know, right?! I literally spent 40 minutes the other day working out how this complex React forms architecture works.
I was the only person who was involved in writing it....
I write mainly to help others and show how they can build something that can feel challenging. And also, to be better in my own understanding of what I'm doing and why I'm doing it this way, and how I could put it in simple words