This is my last (at least last planned) blog along this theme, but it seems pertinent as I try to go about the things I am supposed to be doing today (mostly to this point, my day job). In addition though, I saw a list of EXCELLENT points about succeeding as a new writer this morning:
http://cjredwine.blogspot.com/2009/07/10-things-new-writers-need-to-know.html
and several of them touched on my problem with temptation. Specifically, less talk and more typing—it is SO HARD to close out my online windows when somebody might say something clever or funny to me! Heck, some of them LIKE ME and want to visit! They’re my FRIENDS! How ON EARTH do I let go of the lifeline my chat groups, social groups, and even *gasp* my WRITER’S GROUP provide.
The temptation overwhelms me regularly, but you know what… I get nothing done! And you know what else? If I close out and get back to it, and then come back in a couple hours… the conversation will still be there. Maybe I could even make dates so I could visit in real time LATER, after I accomplish what I need to, whether it is the days word or page count, or my job’s to-do list.
The temptation to start every new project is also huge—inspiration is such a fickle bedfellow, and he is so attractive, why on EARTH would I kick him out when he is panting in my ear? But the fact of the matter is he rarely calls me in the morning. He comes and goes unpredictably, but NOT ONCE has he taken out the garbage, or even taken his dishes to the sink. It is the tried and true perseverance that does right by me. Every day, same time… just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming. And you know what? He doesn’t even MIND if I invite inspiration in to join us?! He just wants me to keep plugging away on the project I’ve committed to.
If only inspiration wouldn’t walk that way… it’s so HARD not to follow him off in some other direction (especially when Digressionism demands that I go).
Want to know the real irony? The anti-rules gal is suggesting a couple rules. I’ve decided (though not tested) that word goals and designated times (whether limits or commitments) are the way around this. If I have a rule of so many words per day, if I limit myself to digressing for only a certain portion of my designated writing time, then I think I can make my steady progress.
How’s that for contradicting myself?
If only inspiration wouldn’t walk that way… it’s so HARD not to follow him off in some other direction (especially when Digressionism demands that I go).
Want to know the real irony? The anti-rules gal is suggesting a couple rules. I’ve decided (though not tested) that word goals and designated times (whether limits or commitments) are the way around this. If I have a rule of so many words per day, if I limit myself to digressing for only a certain portion of my designated writing time, then I think I can make my steady progress.
How’s that for contradicting myself?
5 comments:
I need to do something like that too. Or exactly that, probably. Both as a writer, and (at the moment more importantly,) as a "scholar" (which for the time being is the title I will answer to...).
Now that I have all these great opportunities to make good progress on my thesis, I more than ever need to limit my digressionary escapades and get to work.
But, the problem is, there are equally many new temptations here...
Goodness, do I hear you! Chat engines are officially banned on my computer. (Spawn of the distraction devil...)
Excellent post. If any of those rules work for you, let me know. I've started a new Taoist regime. I just go with the flow and see what pops up. It worked for Lao Tzu: who knows, maybe it will work for me. Thanks for the excellent read.
Peace and blessigns.
I am easily distracted by conversations, internet and life in general. I haven't found inspiration in some months now and feel like just giving up. I want to write and then once I plunk down in front of the computer, writing goes out the window.
I would like to try locking myself in my room, by myself, with everything off except the computer. I just need the self-discipline to refrain from clicking on Firefox or Safari.
I can sympathize with all the facebooky/website distractions, I have that problem with them and practicing. It's a little easier to stay focused while I'm practicing now that I'm in a different room from the computer while singing, but writes have a harder time with that.
Plus, I still manage to whittle away so much time I should either be working at my day job, or practicing goofing around on the internet.
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