I was thinking about some of my more prolific blogging friends lately, truly prolific and consistent e-scribes like Dan Harris, Chris Brogan, Julien Smith, Damjan DeNoble & James Flanagan, Marc van der Chijs, Jeff Wasserstrom, Will Moss, and David Wolf. It got me wondering what exactly differentiates the frequent writers from the occasional dabblers? Why do certain bloggers maintain such a torrid pace while others can’t be bothered to lift a typing finger, when lightning-quick dispatching is the very thing they do best?

Sure, you might dismiss the obvious question by saying that the complement of individuals I’d mentioned above are highly disciplined souls with a lot to say in the practice of their respective professions. That’s why they’re the leaders of their crafts. Dan remains one of the more oft-cited and award-winning “China lawyers” out there. Chris and Julien, naturally, have a whole hot heap to say about social media and they are relentless in their efforts to make their clients and readers better.

Damjan and James are going to be forces to be reckoned with in the health care sector over the next half-decade – especially the instant Damjan graduates from law school in Michigan – and Will and David are two of most professional Old China PR Hands someone with an interest in China business ought to know.

Jeff Wasserstrom remains the non-academic’s academic and a good friend. His historical savvy with the modern China is positively encyclopedic and if you’ve read any of his books before, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

Marc is also one of the China blogosphere’s go-to writers. Based in Shanghai, the Dutch national is one of the city’s expatriate movers ‘n shakers, a former Daimler man up in the ‘jing, and the present CEO of Spil Games Asia. He is also one of Shanghai’s engaging entrepreneurs. Click here and here for some of Marc’s present pursuits, among others.

So what drives these men to not only be prominent members of their field of play, but also prolific writers?

Sure, discipline plays a part. They didn’t get to where they are because they don’t have the basic building blocks for success. Ego is also plays a small part of it, and this isn’t a negative thing, mind you. Like Jerzy Kosinski used to say: “Ego is good for the artist, it’s what gets him writing more books.” Not to mention that consistency is habit-forming, and for those who can do the small things right, the big things suddenly don’t look so unattainable. Pipe dreamers, dream on…

For me, however, I tend to write when I’m troubled about an issue. Some of my best stuff’s come when what I’ve read, heard, or personally experienced eats away at me from the inside, and finds expression in the form of blogpost or a book or two. And when it happens, it’s like a veritable Texas flood. I follow in the footsteps of the expressive folks I cited above, but mostly I’ve got to be bothered with something if it’s going to sing. So I ask you, what gets you writing?

Please share in the comments…below…

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