Ouch. Worse than that, it has also been three weeks since I wrote anything on my novel. My aim to write 5,000 words a week has been shamefully ignored.
I have excuses, of course:
1) Monday three weeks ago was when my busy period at work started up again. I won't bore you with what I do - suffice to say I'm on my feet a lot in the week, adrenaline plays a part, and I often resemble a zombie at the end of the day. The busy period will continue until mid-November though, so at some point I'll just have to get over it and get on with it.
2) I started a new exercise regime at the same time as work went nuts. Eminently sensible, I'm sure you'll agree.
3) Just over a week ago, both of the excuses above paled into insignificance when I went down with a VERY unpleasant bug. I managed to survive two days of work (no time to go see the doc), but on the third morning my body said 'NO!' and subjected me to a world of pain. I ended up with an emergency appointment, a severe infection, and killer antibiotics. Still not feeling all that great, as it happens...
Aside from all this though, I have discovered that my novel-writing and my blog-writing are intrinsically linked. When the former is going well, I want to log into Blogger and update my word count, let the world out there know how I'm getting on, and share in other people's blogs too. But when it's going badly (or not at all) and I'm procrastinating and making excuses, I steer well clear of Blogger so I don't have to admit that I am a serious flake.
I think with writing, sometimes just acknowledging your own traits of procrastination, excuse-making and so on can help you to address them. Now that I know how my novel affects my blog and vice versa, perhaps I can use it. For example, I now pledge to have 3,000 additional words written by the end of this Sunday. I am out every night this week, which would be a great excuse not to, but I have Friday night and all of Sunday to do it. And I've promised the internet I will do it now, so I have to, right?
I hope writing this post unblocks me. I don't think it's particularly good writing, and it won't be one of my favourite posts of all time - but at least I banished those 'I'm too tired, I have to work out, I'm all sick' goblins and wrote something.
How about you? Do you feel your blogging and your other writings are tied together? Have you been making excuses lately? Don't let the goblins win! Share your thoughts or procrastinations here.
The first step is always just putting something down. It gets the right synapses firing or something.
ReplyDeleteSounds like to you blogging takes the place of what free writing does for a lot of people.
For me, they are related, but it's a careful balance. If I'm paying attention to the blog and thinking about it, and commenting on others' blogs, it usually means I'm in a good place with writing. I have my brain engaged with that realm of my existence. If I put too much work into the blog, it can siphon away all the good thoughts and energy and be counter-productive.
Yep, I definitely go through phases and it does seem like I write and blog more when the force is with me.
ReplyDeleteOf course, life keeps getting in the way. School holidays at the moment -> seeing lots of the kids -> not much writing!
Sometimes blogging gets in the WAY of me writing my book. But when I'm at a stopping point and need to think about the next scene, reading and responding to blogs helps sometimes.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your goal. I hope you succeed. Seems I always write so much more on the weekends. Makes me wonder how well I'd do if I didn't have to work 40 hours a week!
Those naughty goblins! And poor you, being ill.
ReplyDeleteI'm in a similar position to you at the moment. It's the summer and so we're extra busy at work. Plus, two colleagues on holiday means I'm working extra hours. And then there were the computer problems. Aggh. I haven't written anything in nearly two weeks. Like you say, you've got to stop the excuses!
Good luck with your goal. I know you can do it.
You've made me realise how lucky I am! Blog writing is my only writing, it is my end game. Once a post is finally up, then my work is done. I don't think I could ever write a novel!
ReplyDeleteThis kind of thing always happens to me. I don't write anything for ages then suddenly out of nowhere i start writing. So it's ok. Stick to your goal and keep up the good work!
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