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Time for some changes
Tonight when I go to work, before I do anything else, I'm going to tell the managers I want to go to a three-day workweek instead of four. I won't be able to spend quite as freely, but I won't actually be hurting either. But when I can barely stand to pick up the coffee pot because my shoulder and elbow spasm, enough's enough. That, and I'm just sick to death of the stupid management decisions being made.
That's change number one.
I'm going to rebuild a shed and get it heated over the summer so I can move all my writing stuff out there. Iwant need a place where I can actually use my Dragon without feeling self-conscious, plus where I can smoke when I need to step back for a moment. I'm tired of having to completely break my train of thought and stand out in the cold, wind, and rain just to consider things.
That's change number two.
And last, and perhaps the hardest, I'm going to be stepping back from *all* the writing forums and discussion groups I'm on. Not because I'm spending too much time on them, but because so much of it has become just reiterations of either the same basic questions (will someone steal my ideas?) or the same stupid debates (who can call themselves an author and who can't). Checking in on them does one of two things - bores the hell out of me or raises my blood pressure. Ditto the blogs I've been watching - I know where they are and who's writing them, so when I really need the information, I can look them up.
I say the last is the hardest because I really do think writers need to keep up with the industry - but at the same time, it almost seems like some sort of inbreeding. Writers discussing writing with writers - and so many things that are 'big news' for writers are of absolutely no importance to readers. In fact, sometimes I think writers are too concerned with other writers and that 'world', and start forgetting about the readers. Not to pick on self-publishing, but it's more obvious there. People getting all excited because they get interviewed on some big-shot self-publisher's blog - well, whoop-de-doo. How many readers care? Or how many readers care if you call yourself an author or a writer - or if other authors/writers do? They just want good books.
And lastly, I think I've been spending too much time (consciously or otherwise) with publication on my mind. I need to stop starting stories and trashing them because I don't think I can publish them, and just write. Write like I used to. Worry about the publication crap after it's done and it's just a commodity. I can compartmentalize the business end of things then, and start the next story, again without thinking about publication. Just tell the story.
So, I think with these three changes, I'm going to be a lot happier than I have been. And hopefully much more productive.
That's change number one.
I'm going to rebuild a shed and get it heated over the summer so I can move all my writing stuff out there. I
That's change number two.
And last, and perhaps the hardest, I'm going to be stepping back from *all* the writing forums and discussion groups I'm on. Not because I'm spending too much time on them, but because so much of it has become just reiterations of either the same basic questions (will someone steal my ideas?) or the same stupid debates (who can call themselves an author and who can't). Checking in on them does one of two things - bores the hell out of me or raises my blood pressure. Ditto the blogs I've been watching - I know where they are and who's writing them, so when I really need the information, I can look them up.
I say the last is the hardest because I really do think writers need to keep up with the industry - but at the same time, it almost seems like some sort of inbreeding. Writers discussing writing with writers - and so many things that are 'big news' for writers are of absolutely no importance to readers. In fact, sometimes I think writers are too concerned with other writers and that 'world', and start forgetting about the readers. Not to pick on self-publishing, but it's more obvious there. People getting all excited because they get interviewed on some big-shot self-publisher's blog - well, whoop-de-doo. How many readers care? Or how many readers care if you call yourself an author or a writer - or if other authors/writers do? They just want good books.
And lastly, I think I've been spending too much time (consciously or otherwise) with publication on my mind. I need to stop starting stories and trashing them because I don't think I can publish them, and just write. Write like I used to. Worry about the publication crap after it's done and it's just a commodity. I can compartmentalize the business end of things then, and start the next story, again without thinking about publication. Just tell the story.
So, I think with these three changes, I'm going to be a lot happier than I have been. And hopefully much more productive.
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And defo with giving up on the work front too, if you can afford it.
To be honest, I rarely visit a forum about writing - I just don't have the time. I find Twitter, Facebook and catching up on other writers' blogs keeps me in the loop. And to be honest, with writing, there are 'no rules' as such. Whether you're a seats of pants writer or have to plan. There is no wrong or right way of doing it.
I read Writing Magazine which I hope keeps me in the loop too.
Definitely just write what you want to write, then you can just submit, and if someone likes it, they'll buy it, and if someone doesn't, it'll get a rejection and that'll make you a real writer :-P
I know I really want to make writing a profession, just because everything else I've done in life has bored the pants off me, and this, for the first time, is something I want to do, and love doing. But I am trying (very hard) to remain patient, because I know it's going to take time. A lot of time. I just hope I can hold out and don't have to go back to work full time to help pay for me to write. lol!
Good luck. Do things that make you happy!
We want photos of the shed btw!
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