So this morning I made my “To Do” List. It’s Saturday, so I get to stay in my pj’s in my favorite chair with Otis (my little dog, who is convinced he’s human). From here I will:
- -Read/edit manuscript
- -Write blog post
- -Read other Blogger 101 blogs
- -Check email
- -Pay bills
- -Drink coffee (well, this isn’t exactly on the list, but…you know)
So I start out with my coffee and my Otis and a manuscript from a friend who asked me to read and give feedback. When I start reading I feel immediately guilty/envious, because I should have hundreds of pages of my novel written, but no. So, I mentally flog myself for a few minutes, then begin reading and scribbling comments till Hubby wakes up. Then we talk for a bit, he goes to work (poor him) and I get more coffee and start my computer. I’m about to begin writing that blog post, but first I have to turn on yahoo chat, just to see if my friend from China made it back yet (she was visiting me in DC last week). And I’ll quickly check my email and facebook.
I’m only going to check facebook for important messages, but of course I get sucked into reading posts, finding that my chakra is third eye, and the dog I am most like is a bulldog. And of course I have to watch the video of “Pilates for wine drinkers”, because I drink wine and do Pilates. And my friend from China is back, and she’s online, so I have to say hello and see how her trip was. Then, noting (thanks to my fb feed) its Anais Nin’s birthday, I look up some of her poetry. Wow, she’s amazing.
But, back to the blog. Oh – the little star in the corner is orange! Some activity! So, look at that, comment back to that person. Then see something interesting in their list of blogs they follow, and check it out. And it’s a travel blog, talking about Airbnb, so I spend half an hour looking at places in Sedona and Santa Fe for the trip I want to take, someday.
Now, on the third cup of coffee, I’d better go to the bathroom! (Ok, maybe that doesn’t deserve an exclamation point, but I digress.) So, once in the bathroom I look in the mirror and think to myself, “Self, you should shower.” So I do. And then I moisturize, ‘cause I’m not getting any younger. And then I look at the floor, and hmmm… it’s a small bathroom so it doesn’t take long at all to wash up the floor. And I might as well clean the rest of the bathroom while I’m at it.
Ok, so that’s done. And now it’s after 10:00. I really should get dressed, even though it’s the weekend – just in case anyone comes over; though no one ever comes over. But if I don’t get dressed this will be the one day someone comes over. And then Otis needs to go out. And I really should take him for a walk. So I do.
But now – now I will sit down and write. And here I am at the kitchen table with my laptop, but I look over and see the counter hasn’t been wiped off. That just takes a second, so I quickly do it. And then I go through the mail sitting there. And there is a receipt that should go in the tax folder. I have to do that now, or it will get lost. Ok, and I’ll just put the coffee cups in the dishwasher and start it. And I’ll wipe the sink, and maybe just sweep up the floor, there always seems to be a bit of dog hair and a few crumbs.
And it just sort of keeps going like this. Which is why I have nothing written for my blog today, but next week when I’m having friends over for dinner with the house a mess, and the food half prepared, I’ll have a brilliant post for you!
Brilliant!
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Thanks Donna! I guess you can relate then?
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Now I feel (only very slightly) guilty for contributing to your procrastination!
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Hahaha – consider it contributing to my writing this post!
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Nice. For someone who couldn’t find the time to blog, you have said so much and it was so interesting. I look forward to your writing when your creativity comes crashing through the blogosphere.
As Donna said so eloquently. Brilliant!
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Haha – thanks John! Yes, I have said so much. Usually my posts are shorter. Thanks for you kind words (no pressure, right?) and for the follow. Cheers!
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Your words make me realize I’m not alone in why I haven’t blogged yet…
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one…
Great post 🙂
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Thanks Patricia! I wonder how many of us there are going in circles, not-writing. It is nice to know we have company. Thanks for reading. :o)
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Your story with facebook is also my story. I usually just want to read any important notification and message but I then get sucked.
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It’s dangerous, isn’t it?
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Yes, it is. That’s why I often avoid facebook.
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You are wiser than I. Or more disciplined, lol.
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Even if I avoid facebook, there is YouTube (oops).
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Hahaha! Right!
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However, it was good that you ended up writing a blog post about why you hadn’t blogged yet.
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Ah, this is the story of my days of late! Are you sure you didn’t write this about me (checks room for hidden cameras)?
Except, you’ve blogged and I haven’t. And you did it well, too. Congratulations!
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Hahaha – nice to know I’m not alone in my crazies! Thanks very much, I’ll be watching for yours now. 🙂
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Since starting my blog, I have definitely spent more of my allotted ‘writing time’ on social media than actually writing- it’s that instant gratification of ‘likes’ and ‘followers’, something that drafting and redrafting a novel that may never get published doesn’t give me. It’s addictive.
I’ve started setting a timer to write, not allowing myself to be online (not even for research) until the bell goes. Only way to do it, or I’ll never get this blooming book written!
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That sounds like a good way to handle it. And you sound like you’re more disciplined than I (though that’s most people!). Good luck with the novel! I’m rooting for you!
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Thanks, Mary. Eventually, I will finish it and I will get it published, even if it’s a self pub! Great post
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Thanks very much, Lynn.
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oh, we definitely are the same person! Except, I wasn’t a bulldog…maybe I was a retriever? I don’t remember. I guess I could do it again……….
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Hahaha – I was surprised about being a bulldog, I think I’ve taken it before and got a lab. 🙂
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This is so representative of my life, not only as related to blogging but also with many other things I intend to do. I think managing distractions is a daunting challenge confronting many of us. Great post.
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Thanks. I have this problem in other areas of my life too! Maybe it’s just the way things are in this day and age.
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Ah, yes I can relate. I think I’m on my fourth cup of coffee….
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This happens to me aaaaaalllll the time. Nice post. I feel like you wrote it about me.
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Hmm…trying to think how to phrase my comment is difficult. I think we can all relate to this and it is well-written. Not sure if any of you have been in the situation where writing is your job. If you are/were you will get this. You think about things differently. For example, Twitter. I get 80% of my blogging ideas from Twitter and another 10% from Facebook.
This is why I love the Press This feature on WordPress but a word processor can work. You see, reading stuff on FB, Twitter and my new addiction Pinterest, is research for your blog. You are writing. Keep a file open or two and make notes as you read. The same is true when you are doing dishes or clearing snow as I just did. Think about your posts or if there is anything to write about in what you are doing as Mary did here. (I was wondering if there is a more productive way to shovel snow. Not in the scope of my blog, but I’d read a post about it.)
By keeping a running note list an a topic, you will find half of a post or several posts will be written when you sit down to write. Post anything time sensitive first. Remember to learn the difference between your Save Draft button and your Publish button and their different colors, though. But if you mess up, you can always unpublish.
Working in children’s television where I had to write 12 synopsis a day from January – March, taught me to harness every moment in service of my work. And the funny part is it was something I already did only I thought the in the mental trash can think I had to only use the stuff that I created while sitting at my keyboard. This is where real sink or swim deadlines are a good thing because they force you to use resources you had all along. I am certain that does not make sense.
I think I need to write a blog post this. Time to Press This!
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Thanks Cyn, that’s a great comment. I have had to write to deadlines, but not nearly as much as what you’re talking about. I write a lot of poetry, and words, phrases and lines come to me so I have a folder called “Snippets” where I stash them. I will have to start paying more attention to twitter too.
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With Twitter, it really is about who you follow. I think as a poet you would a lot out of Pinterest. I have found to be a great tool.
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I find Pinterest rather dangerous, lol. (Read: I do not use Pinterest productively, but waste time there.)
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I don’t think of it as wasted time. I started a board for my novel and as I edited it, I look over the board and add to it to keep inspired.
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