I'm not an organized person. I don't sit down on a certain day every year and take inventory of my life. But, occasionally, usually by accident, I'll realize something I'm doing isn't exactly what I want to be doing.
Many have come to similar conclusions before me. I guess now is just my time. But honestly, I'm getting too wrapped up in blogging, and reading blogs, and all this networking stuff.
I complained to my husband in the car yesterday: "I haven't had any time to work on my novel!"
"You haven't?!" He was floored. "Then what are you doing when you stay up late at night?"
I told him I was either blogging, or commenting on blogs, or Facebooking, or working on my short stories.
I'm planning on attending the SCBWI summer conference this year. I would like to go with an at least semi-polished novel in tow. If I went today, I would have nothing but a bad first draft and a couple of shelved novels that flopped in Queryland.
I want to finish this book. Not that I'm expecting to pick up an agent and a contract while I'm in LA. No. But it would be nice to give a pitch or a writing sample, and be able to stand behind it, knowing it's the best I have to offer.
So, I'm hereby switching gears. I love blogging. I love the writing online community. This isn't goodbye. It's just a little break. I'll still be posting. Just not as much. And commenting when something especially moves me.
I just need to get my writing priorities straight. When you're an unpublished fiction writer, networking shouldn't be the top priority. Writing should be.
I totally get it and have been there myself. In the end, we have to remember that it is the actual writing we aspire to. that needs to come first. Good luck with it!
ReplyDeleteWell put Amy...something I so need to hear! Thanks! I was getting overwhelmed by it all this past week...your post was enlightening. Jia You, my friend!
ReplyDelete(heehee: my husband has so called me on not writing before, too!)
ReplyDeleteBut...yeah. Been there. Sit down to write--two hours later I don't even have a chapter title.
Amen, sister! And we'll always still be here... :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like quite a reasonable plan to me, Amy. Looking forward to that first A.L. Sonnichsen novel . . . !!
ReplyDeleteThanks you guys. You're all awesome. I appreciate the love.
ReplyDeleteNow, to get some sleep, which is the other important ingredient to writing well. Well-rested and not-blogging-too-much = happy writer :)
Good for you! Nice to see you here in this boat with me.
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and it's great!!! I look forward to future posts!!
ReplyDeleteYou're so right as well, writing should be a top priority not networking, though that's a lot of fun as well!!!
I'm glad you are a fellow writer as well :)
Well put! I'll be taking a break pretty soon, too, so I can get the wip in order before the kids start summer vacation. I hope your break is very productive!
ReplyDeleteYES. It is all too easy to get sucked into the blog world, to the detriment of our WIPs. On the other hand, blogging - and reading blogs - is inspiring, which can HELP our WIPS. Where to find the balance between inspiration and addiction? I have no idea. If you figure it out, please let us know. And good luck on finishing the book.
ReplyDeletesuch wisdom our husbands have... i have heard similar remarks from my hubby... though I am not a writer. Time seems to go so quickly as I am just checking in on blogland! happy writing.
ReplyDeletesarah misses olivia...
I just found you - but it's your comment "When you're an unpublished fiction writer, networking shouldn't be the top priority. Writing should be." that hit me hard. You are so right!
ReplyDeleteAGREED! Ha i'm such a hypocrite, I'm not doing my homework right now because I'm blogging. But yes. There are bigger things in life than blogging. I think blogging should just be a creative outlet for those days when you have something to say that does not pertain to your current WIP(s)..OR some ToTaLlY Awe-some tip! :)
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