1. If possible, write on something that is NOT connected to the internet. That way you aren't tempted to check Facebook/Twitter every 5 minutes.
2. If you are writing on an internet-free laptop, make sure it isn't in the same room as the internet connected one (see 1).
3. If you can't accomplish 1 and 2 for physical/financial reasons, try to allocate yourself specific times of the day to Tweet/update your Facebook. Do not weaken.
4. Unless specific, dickering about on Google is not research.
5. Checking your Amazon rating and sales figures every two days is liable to lead to suicidal feelings.
6. Reading the 'I wrote a whole novel today - go me!' claims of other writers on Facebook
ditto.
7. There is no such thing as 'Writer's Block', it is just a posh excuse for not writing.
8. The only way to write a book is to write a book.
9. If you are not constantly awash with doubt/fear/insecurity/self-loathing/envy/anxiety/panic, you probably aren't a writer.
haha brilliant! I failed at number 1 ;-)
ReplyDeleteI wrote these from the depths of my own failure...
DeleteWonderful list, Carol. Of course one could combine 7 and 4 by pretending there is such a thing as writer's block then spend hours searching on Google for possible cures!
Deletenever thought of that...goes to try it...for the next 2 hours
DeleteI absolutely agree with all of these. When I write I turn facebook off so that I'm not distracted. Anyone who can write a book in a day is seriously deluded and I am full of the required self doubts! I think I must qualify as a writer! But this is good food for thought. Thanks, Carol
ReplyDelete...all of the above ! :)
ReplyDeleteYou & Me both!
DeleteI'm taking the fifth, as anything I say will incriminate me!
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, but I have chosen instead to seek out a small independent publisher. And have been lucky enough to get one. I am an extremely late starter in fiction writing and am a woman in a hurry.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post!
ReplyDeleteI think writing a book requires determination, dedication and focus. The internet is a great distraction, one, one must learn to master ^_^ As for writer's block, I think sometimes we as writers do get burned out and the ideas stop flowing, however from my own experience I find the more you write the more the ideas come, as writing stimulates the imagination. As for No. 6 on your list that and I"ve written x amount of words today is more a poster for the person writing it than anyone else, although I skip all of those types of posts on fb ^_^
ReplyDeleteI agree Helen...you have to keep writing..if you stop, you will never start again. Bit like breathing....
DeleteI heard an interesting think on R4 about Writers' Block - I can't remember who said it, but it was a man - and he said there is no such thing, just writers who are afraid of writing badly!
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with that, there are times when the imagination seems to go into hibernation.
I agree totally. For me, that's where blogs come in...you can knock out a tiny piece and stop feeling you'll never finish a novel.
DeleteEspecially #5!
ReplyDeleteI never do this..luckily I am so inept I wouldn't know how..but I know a lot of writers do, coz they post it on FB
DeleteYep! Can identify with them all but now I'm researching, genuinely, I'm having trouble with 1 to 3 big time!
ReplyDeleteOh very good, CarolStar! I'm guilty of a few of these when I get bored with myself. But I agree that blogs are great for those times when inspiration escapes you. But writer's block is something I got cured of in my marketing days. Deadlines for copy meant you couldn't afford to be blocked in any shape or form!
ReplyDeleteWhoop whoo last night conqured No.1 by doing some handwriting in my little notebook. Managed 1,183 words for Camp NaNoWriMo (Using the month to discipline myself into finishing the book I want to get into print, if possible)
ReplyDeleteGreat lighthearted little blog thanks Carol
I like number 7, except that I'd call it a 'stupid and self-aggrandising' rather than a 'posh' excuse. I like 8 too ;)
ReplyDeleteA great post (and masochistic fun, too) from beginning to end. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree Carol. And I always think people soul searching about the writing process, and expecting others to care about how they write their book is as absurd as wanting to stare at a bricklayer mixing mortar. All you care about is the finished wall: all you care about is the finished book and reading it (or not). Writing is work, not always fun, you just get on with it.
ReplyDelete