It's all about practice (and content).

In my world that is Designer's Block, I've come to two conclusions. You need content, enter writer's block, and you need to practice. I picked up a book a few years ago – Hot Text - (remember the Master's program that kept me up to my eyeballs busy until recently) that talks about writing for the web. I finally have time to read it. No, I'm not designing yet because I want to build an informational website and I need content. The word DUH comes to mind.

So I have my content categories and I even have some specific article topics listed, but now comes the difficult part, actually writing the text. It's not just writing the content but also researching the facts. I can't just make this stuff up if I want a successful website. On second thought, I should rephrase that. I can't just make this stuff up because I want a reputable website. Unfortunately some authors make stuff up and are successful at it. That's not my style. Bad karma and I'm a terrible liar anyway.

I previously mentioned that I had returned to my planning (not drawing) board. I haven't made it much beyond that because I'm now having problems with scope-creep. I keep adding to my list of things that I want to do. As if I'm not already up to my eyeballs busy with work, my free time will be overrun with personal web projects. If this list keeps growing, I won't even get a chance to start it. Heck, this blog is getting overwhelmed with it and I'm only a week or so in.

Over the last week, I've been trying to read-up on search engine optimization. I figured it’s a good place to start when putting together an informational website. You need people to visit it to be successful (depending on how you measure success). But, I also want my overall network to have improved success. This is where the to-do list starts growing. Before I can even get to my informational website, I need to do some work on this website. The font looks extremely tiny – even for a web-savvy person and there's a few other spacing adjustments that could stand to be made. Then I have 2 websites that have been sorely neglected since last summer. Stupid Train Run and Working the City were my original blogs of sorts that describe the crazy things having to do with commuting and working in a city. Unfortunately things went over-the-top busy (up to my eyeballs and beyond) and they want to the wayside. Sad, very sad. I'm still happy with the designs but they need to get moving again. They also took a hit when the server crashed earlier this year. Once I finish all that, I can finally start working on my informational website. I'll get there. I even a starter list with tasks. Now I just need the extra time. Famous last words, right?

Oh and my whole line of thinking about practice was that the more you practice the easier it will become. Write more often and it will become second nature to create content. Draw and design more often and I hopefully will get out of my designer's block.

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The personal website and blog of a 20-something web designer that works in a city by day and freelances by night (without a desk - long story). Continue reading