How a post goes from brain to screen is different depending on each blogger.  Here’s my story:

1. Idea
An idea pops into my head, or as I prefer to look at it, God pops an idea into my head.  This may be sparked by a conversation I have with someone, an article or book I’ve read, a question I am asked, a discussion I’m following on Facebook or on another blog, or just out of the blue.

2. ColorNote
I enter the idea into an app on my phone that I use to organize my life, and I do mean my whole entire life.  It’s a sticky notes app, and I have one for calls to make, errands to run, things to discuss with my husband (I do not kid), things to do on a real computer (as opposed to on my phone, on the spot), books I’ve loaned out, people to pray for, and blog post ideas.

3. Immediate Creation
Or, if I feel really passionate about an idea, I’ll bypass the list and just get in front of the computer as soon as I can and whip it out.  I have also been known on occasion to blog on my phone if I feel very strongly about something and my patience level is low and it’s not too long.

4. Computer
When I have a few moments in front of a real computer, like now, I’ll pull an idea off the list and blog away.  I try to switch it up so serious posts are interspersed with light ones (both for your sanity and mine).  If the idea requires research or quoting another source, it’ll take a little longer, but usually I write quickly and get it all out.

5. Editing
I hit “preview” which means I see what the post would look like when published.  This is important because it psychologically puts my brain in the brains of my (varied and eclectic) readers.  I try to imagine what an Orthodox and non-Orthodox person would feel while reading it.  I try to imagine if my rabbi would be pleased, or if I would feel embarrassed for my mother to see it.  I try to envision if a non-Jewish person would respond well or poorly.  I edit for spelling and grammar but rarely actually rework it.  (Major exception: my Disillusioned post was heavily edited and reworked after writing.)  I figure, it’s a blog post, not a novel, and if I try to make it perfect, it will never see the light of day and the blog will die.

6. Labels
I choose “tags” or labels that describe the subject matter.  That keeps my post organized so, if you look on the right sidebar, you can click a topic and see things that have been written on those topics.

7. Publish
I used to schedule my posts to appear during early morning so people will see them first thing.  I don’t do that anymore.  Firstly, I don’t blog every day so it’s not like it’s a daily thing, but mostly, I’m excited to publish and get responses, hits and feedback so basically…I just don’t want to wait!

8. Facebook
I link my new piece on my Facebook page with a little teaser or excerpt.  Facebook is a major traffic source for my blog.  I love when a discussion ensues there as well as on the blog.  It used to bother me (I wanted more comments on the actual blog as opposed to “losing” them to Facebook) but not anymore.  It’s just another place for people to chat about the topic and learn about my blog.

9. Check My Hits
I go to my blogger page and check out my stats.  It’s way fun to see those numbers go up.  Yeah!  I can also see if other websites are bringing me traffic by linking my posts or blog, which is exciting.  Sometimes I’m linked in anti-religion sites, but I’ve already learned not to click those or I will end up reading nasty things about myself – no thanks.

10. Comments
Every time someone posts a comment, I get an email with three options: publish, delete, or mark as spam.  Most of my non-spam comments get published as-is.  On controversial posts, I get a little pang in my stomach when I receive a new comment, wondering if it’s going to upset me or be OK.  Even when a comment upsets me, usually it only upsets me until I formulate a response.  Occasionally I edit comments if I think they contain lashon hara or are mean-spirited.  Or I might choose to delete it entirely.  Or I might not publish it, but will write a response inviting the commenter to rework it so it’s publishable.

If I’m in a meeting or with my kids, and not looking at my phone for awhile, the comments will hang out until I get to them.  Then I might approve a bunch of comments at once when I get to my emails and they will all hit the blog at the same time.  Fortunately, blogger organizes them in the order that they were originally posted, so the logical thread remains intact.

11. Responding to Comments
If I have short response, I just do it on my phone.  Or in the evening when I get in front of my computer I’ll respond to a bunch of comments at once.  Sometimes this can be really frustrating – if I really want to respond but don’t have time to get to it right away.  But sometimes other commenters will respond instead of me, and do an even better job.  THAT is cool.  Bloggie nachas.  The comments usually go on for a few days, and when they wind down, I post something new.  Of course, I love when the conversation continues even after new posts go up.

12. In Person Feedback
I might be in shul/synagogue or the carpool line or at a wedding and someone gives me feedback about the blog.  That is always really exciting!  The idea that what I do here behind my tiny little laptop makes a difference in people’s lives is thrilling and humbling.

How do you participate in this blog?  At work?  At home?  On your phone?  If you’re a blogger, is your process similar?