Just another Magic Monday! Well not exactly Magic— you see I decided not to go ahead with either of the blog posts I’ve written this week because they aren’t ringing true. As I was writing them, I felt like I was filling out a form letter. Two different topics, two topics I enjoy. Flat as a pancake. No heartbeat. Blah. DOA.
Blogging is fun work for me. I thoroughly enjoy the comments I receive, the twittering, my special new friends and blogging buddies. I enjoy visiting all of you, learning from you. Why the blah?
I actually had to search for an answer. Writing has been front and center of my day for years now. But something different was afoot this week. I found myself putting in many extra hours into my manuscript. Just about every minute of the day last week was spent either working or thinking about it. I’d look up at the clock and realize an hour or two had passed instead of a minute. I found myself scrawling notes to myself on every hunk of paper I passed by, including hubby’s to-do list. Can you imagine what he would have thought had he seen “death star to the forehead”? Poor hubby! Ideas for the next book in the series are flying out of the present work and I’m writing those snippets down too. I’m totally immersed and happy. My laptop is on fire!
That’s when it hit me. I knew what was wrong with the struggling blog posts. I just didn’t have the oomph or creative juice to push through and write a decent post this week.
Of course, immediately after this thought came guilt with a capital G, which felt pretty much like a death star to the forehead. I’m used to deadlines thanks to my paying writing gigs. I want to keep my blog schedule, to be responsible. I only post once a week for Pete’s Sake! Most of my blogging friends post two, three, four times a week!”
Then I had to remind myself that we all lead different lives, we all have different priorities and we all have to do what works for us. I can’t compare myself to my super blogger buds who post several times a week, it’s not fair to me and it’s not fair to them.
Removing the pointy instrument of death from my head, I went back to the reason I’m blogging and using social media in the first place. I’m here to create a community and establish an author presence. I want my blog posts to have value and be fun for my readers.
What’s the first rule of blogging for authors? Donald Maass, Jonathan Franzen, Jane Friedman, Kristin Lamb, Bob Mayer, Larry Brooks and a host of writers, agents and editors all say it, over and over again. Write a darn/damn good book. I have to write the darn thing to the best of my ability and work my butt off to get it in my editor’s hands before anyone can decide whether it’s good or not, right?
Rule Number 2? The book has to come first. FIRST. I have a deadline. I have my goals broken down into manageable bites. Writing my novel has to come before blogging, Facebook, Twitter and reciprocating to others. So, I’m going to hang onto this state of immersion or obsession and go with it. I don’t want to break the spell. I want to keep all my creative juices flowing towards this story and not divvy it up.
Book. Me. Laptop. Today. Guilt-free.
I’d still like to hear from you though:) I will come up for air at some point during the day. *insert big grin* Have you been totally immersed by a creative endeavor such as writing, blogging, photography or visual art and you didn’t want to be distracted by other creative tasks? With that question in mind, I think I have an idea for my next post:) So dish!
Have a happy, healthy day!
Kate~
Congratulations Kate! You’ve entered the zone of priorities. No guilt there.
Thanks Nancy. I like the term, “zone of priorities.”
Not only entered that zone, you’re finding your way through it relatively unscathed. Good for you!
Thanks for all your support Liz!
Kate, you are speaking for so many of us. Isn’t it interesting that we have all kind of hit the wall at this point after our blogging course? I think it’s taken this long for us to gain confidence in what we are doing, to truly find our voices, and now realize our priorities. I love Nancy’s term “zone of priorities”. So true. Our novels do come first and they do take over our lives. I am into the final stage of my next novel. The light at the end of the tunnel is beginning to cause me to put on shades and my keyboard is smoking … just like yours. Thanks for stating these feeling so eloquently. I might have to reblog this soon … is that okay with you? And now… write on, my friend!
Wooo hooo Patricia, it makes me smile to think that your laptop is smoking along side mine. I’m excited that you’re close to completion on your next book.
I think you’re right about gaining confidence, finding our voice and and now realizing our priorities. Well said!
I would very proud and humbled to have your reblog this post.
Let’s keep fanning the flames!
I’m jumping-up-andown-excited for you, Kate!! It’s a great feeling and I’m moving in that direction myself.
Each day the excitement for my story grows and all I want to do is write, but I have these obligations (blog posts, LLC, ROW80) that i put on myself. I love Nancy’s term ‘Zone of Priorities’ and I’m going to print it and hang by my laptop.
I’m going to have to give up ROW80 soon and possibly cut my blogging back to one day a week with an occasional extra day each month. LLC is easier now with the new format. Now my only problem is my procrastination–but that could be a whole blog post.
You are my inspiration to make my writing the #1 priority and stop letting everything else get in my way. Thanks, Kate, and I wish you continued fire in your writing!
Wow Marcia, I’m totally awed and fired up about your new Zone of Priorities. (Thanks Nancy for that term!!! I think I need a sign and a t-shirt lol) I’m also deeply humbled that I could be an inspiration to you.
I don’t see you as a procrastinator, I think you’re very goal oriented and you get things done. We all have times when we need to refill the well or just sit and “moodle” as old writing pro Barbara Ueland used to say. As for the words procrastination and Marcia Richards in the same sentence? I don’t see it:) Each day that your excitement grows for your story you’ll be fanning those flames. Go write a damn good book Marcia. I want to read it.
Love it! You go, Kate. Don’t let that Guilt get to you, your book is and always will be #1. Realizing that is such a powerful thing. Congratulations for being able to do it! Have fun writing ~ the more you write, the sooner we get to read your fabulous book! With or without death stars to the forehead.
Hey Tameri, I thought I answered this but when I went back to edit it because I wanted to say something else to you, it disappeared. Where is Carrie Spencer when I need her??? LOL First thanks for all your support and likewise I’m looking forward to reading your book too. I need to quit the GUILT those death stars hurt like heck!
Woot woot Kate and here here to Nancy’s Zone of Priorities! Love it and couldn’t agree more with what everyone said. Take care of you and the book first – guilt free! We’ll all be hanging around ready to cheer you on so sit back, relax, and set your pages on FIRE girl!!
I’m all fired up! Thanks for your ALL your support. I don’t even know where to begin with you Natalie. Your encouragement of everyone is just never-ending. You are one heck of a friend and I’ll be sure to return the favor.
It’s been a long time since my laptop (or anything else) was on fire for my fiction WIP and I’m looking forward to finding that zone again. Reading this made it seem like more than just fantasy. thanx.
Hi Joy! Glad I could “light” you up. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.