Taking it Slow(er)
A few people have written to ask for advice on putting the idea of slow blogging into practice. There’s no template or specific requirement about the form of posts on a slow blog. They might be long, short, only words, words and photos, only photos, only video… you get the idea.
There are, though, some considerations I use that could be helpful in finding a footing with a deliberately slow creative path.
Set Expectations
Let readers know, in some manner, that your posting frequency will likely be lower than they see elsewhere. Suggest they follow by RSS for low-effort re-visiting. Make your notification as prominent or as quiet as you like, or not at all if you want to run slow without apologia.
Observe Your Process
It’s possible that for you, going slow is not always about taking a long time between posts. It can also be about noticing what parts of writing proceed quickly, and consciously taking those steps more carefully. Hitting Publish is the obvious fast-action worth taking slower, but if titles are usually a snap, try writing them after the post. Or reconsider the idea taking shape in different forms than you habitually reach for. Using a photo instead of prose, for example.
Slowness an also be introduced by trying techniques and tools that others use. What do you hear other people say about their own process? What do they do that you don’t? Outlines, two drafts, whatever. If they do things that sound redundant or even uncomfortable, like throwing away the first draft, you should consider trying it yourself and seeing what changes.
In addition to simply giving thoughts more time to mature, the point here is to use variations in mediums and practices to building slowness into your creative practice.
Just Ask This Once
When you get the feeling: ‘I should blog this’, add ‘because _______’ and fill in the blank. If the blank is hard to fill, it might be worth reconsidering. That said, ‘just because’ can suffice, because sometimes it just does.
Try This at Home (But Only If You Like to Look Eccentric)
Find some stairs, preferably no fewer than ten. No ipod, no book, no phone. Or do. But either way, walk up the first step and wait one minute between each step thereafter. If someone happens on your activity, there’s no scenario where you’ll look anything but eccentric.
If you have suggestions of your own, please add them to the comments.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Thanks for all the hints and advices!
Slow Blog Manifesto translated to Portuguese is online:
http://irradiandoluz.blogspot.com/2008/12/manifesto-slow-blog-blogar-lentamente.html
Thanks again Todd!
You’re THE man!!
Have some nice holly-days!
Gabriel ‘Dread’ Siqueira
January 5th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Type it out on a typewriter. Get it perfect. Then copy it to your blog. Or not.
January 21st, 2009 at 1:36 am
Write a text. Take a print. Make corrections with a pen. Rewrite it. Take a new print. You may stop there, or, if you get increasingly involved with your text and the wish to improve it, go on for hours, even days. Then you put i in an envelope and wait.
One week later you revisit your text. If you like it now, you may publish it.
Chances are that you may like parts of it, but want to continue to work on it. When you are satisfied this time, you may publish it the next day.
February 10th, 2009 at 4:39 am
What about slow commenting?
Plato writes a paragraph in a book, and decades later, Aristotle writes a comment. Centuries later, Plotin or Cusanus respond. Thousands of years later, Nietzsche criticizes Plato`s paragraph; and suddenly Heidegger or Adorno may add a comment, just decades after Nietzsche.
Is this kind of conversation through the centuries dying, or will we see a revival in cyberspace?
February 27th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Hi! I just wanted to tell you that I’m starting a ‘slow blog’ in swedish now. But lazy as I am I just link to your manifesto – most swedes read english anyway. I also quoted Paul Norheims excellent comment in my presentation, of course giving due credit.
October 6th, 2009 at 2:06 am
Just want to say thanks for this post, and your blog generally.
October 6th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Thanks Claire, that’s very kind of you. I love the bee pictures on yours :)
October 26th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
really digging your blog. & appreciate your intentionality about slowing down. it’s a rare gift these days to s–l-o—w the pace down.
[personal message edited]
peace.
liz