Remember when you first discovered the internet? If you're like me, you were in utter amazement at the amount of information suddenly at the tips of your fingers. It was overwhelming! Often, when I was researching a particular topic, I would find myself venturing off my planned path to explore whatever popped up. Hours would pass before I noticed.
I'm experiencing that again...
I start my e-day by reading my mail. Then I come to Blogville and check my dashboard for new posts from the blogs I follow. It didn't take long before I was spending more time reading blogs than writing my ms. I could so easily lose track of time.
Recently, I made the decision to just scan the agents' blogs for topics of particular interest. I saved notes on some of them. I was learning a lot of what I felt was very useful information. Problem was, what good is it to me if I never finish my book?
I've got to get back on track. For now, I'm not going to read ANY agents' blogs. That's right... none of them!
One of the things I've learned from following them, is that they do a very good job of titling their posts and referencing topics. When I am ready for the next step, it will be quite easy for me to search their blogs for the information I need.
According to
my calendar, it is mid-September already. I should have been done with the initial writing and well underway with the editing!Do you find yourself putting aside your WIP because of too much time spent elsewhere? If writing is your dream, make it a priority. Don't save it for when everything else is done... for filling those left-over minutes at the end of the day.
10 comments:
Hi Lily -
This is a constant problem for me. I love blogging and reading blogs, so it's easy to lose track of time.
Like my devotions, I have to set aside time and make writing a priority. Thanks for a great post!
Blessings,
Susan :)
It's great to find balance. I try to set aside a certain amt of time for blogging but when I write--that is all I do-- I get really absorbed in it and nothing pulls me away!
It is a hard thing to balance, blogging and writing. I still don't have it all down yet, but I hope to soon, because I need to start a new ms!!! :) Good luck as you pare down your blog time!
For me when I first started writing it wasn't blogs (they didn't exist yet) but RWA chapter meetings. I served on the board and worked WAY too hard on developing their minutes, editing their newsletters, etc., etc. I realized a good number of people spend so much time on that crap, they barely get any writing done. I guess it's good to have balance but there will come a day when you've workshopped and learned so much, it's time to roll the sleeves up and get to work. We should always keep learning, but we need to know the difference between learning and procrastinating, I guess is what I'm trying to say! Heck, I'm still trying to figure it out.
The information highway has so many little side roads, back roads and alleys it's way to easy to get sidetracked. Like you said, it will still be there when you are ready for it. Write!
Yes! I have had to quit spending so much time writing and reading blogs because it did take away from my writing. Now, I read some blogs during the week, but not like I used to. I spend the weekends trying to catch up and will post my one blog article for the week.
Interesting...I'm planning on spending a little less time blogging next week. (It's unplug week, but I won't be entirely unplugging.) I want to get through the edits to the end of my book this week, and I can't do it if I'm blogging all the time. I'm actually going to post about this tomorrow. Your post here has really motivated me to follow through with it. Thanks.
Yes, so true. I am going through a non-writing stage at the moment. My novel may never get written and this doesn't bother. I am enjoying the journey. I like your focus and you are very inspirational to others. Well done. :)
I've gotten lazy. I've had lots of books published and now I'm just enjoying writing for the pure joy of writing.
In all honesty, I need to get busy again. I need to pick up the rhythm that allows my creativity to lend itself to a work-in-progress. I think my stolen book took the wind out of my sails. I know I'll get it back again....
Absolutely spot on. One literally gets caught up in the web - as in spiders web.
I shut off completely now and really only spend two days a week dawdling and doodling on the net. The rest of the time, I write. On my book.
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