So I've been blogging for three months now, and it is seriously impeding my writing! Yesterday on another blog (Helen's? Jemi's? Mine? Sigh...I don't even remember.) someone said when they find themself thinking up post topics instead of novel chapters, it's time to get back to work.
That is where I am. I am NOT stopping my blog. I am INTEGRATING it into my work.
You will notice I have changed my header to incorporate the skyline of Nashville, TN. That is a true southern city, and the setting for my first series of mystery/suspense novels. Another great southern city is embedded in this post: my adopted home city of Raleigh, NC. I plan to write a series set here someday, but not yet.I hope to share more about them with you over the next few months, but expect more writing-serious posts from me...And the occasional hair-pulling, need-a-break silliness.
Nose to the grindstone, and all that jazz.
The photo of Nashville's skyline is beautiful, as is the photo of Raleigh. The blogging can take time away from other things before you know it. Good luck with the "nose to the grindstone" but glad you're going to break occasionally for some silliness (it does help).
ReplyDeleteBlogging does help to set a writing discipline...but you're so right about the time element. Good luck with your new schedule!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I'm still planning on blogging daily. I just hope to do so with a more eye toward my novel research. My blogs will be more central to my mystery/suspense-SouthernCityMysteries theme.
ReplyDeleteI hope this will help me to develop my plots, my novels as well as a following.
We'll see how it goes! As with everything, this is experimental.
Michele
That's why it's so important for me to have pre-planned topics for each day of the week - plus I feature other authors. It does take a bit of time, though, plus I'm very active on several other sites that require daily attention.
ReplyDeleteToday I am happily sacrificing my writing time to drive to that beautiful city of Raleigh and see Trans Siberian Orchestra in concert!
Blogging is fun, but it certainly uses up brain time! Good luck with your new schedule and thanks for posting the pictures. You've given me my first views of Raleigh and Nashville.
ReplyDeleteElspeth
"someone said when they find themself thinking up post topics instead of novel chapters, it's time to get back to work."
ReplyDeleteGuilty as charged :))) I was relaxing last two weeks away from my job, and had lots of time to think about posts in my blog throughout the day. And when I think about my blog in the middle of the day, it definitely means that I have too much free time :) But today, I started a new book, so I'm returning to my busy bee working schedule back in my office :)
Diane-I hope the orchestra is worth the drive! What a wonderful way to spend a day! I don't know if I'm organized enough to plan out my daily topics. But I think incorporating my work on my novel WITH the blog will be a healthy use of my time.
ReplyDeleteElspeth- We'll see how it goes. I hope you get to visit the actual cities one of these days. Nashville specifically is a multi-faceted personality.
Dezmond- I know you're a professor, but what do you teach? We would all rather be somewhere dreaming than working...Well, maybe not all of us. But don't complain about too much free time! I want to hear more about what you write/do!
Michele
Can't wait to hear your thoughts on Nashville as you write. My sister lived there a few years before moving back to Augusta, and she describes *nothing* about it when I talk to her. All I hear are her uninterested shrugs over the phone. I love learning about new cities from storytellers, so entertain me :)
ReplyDeleteScheduling and finding time are my biggest challenges as well! I a great multi-tasker, but it's tough to find the time to do it all. Good luck finding that balance.
ReplyDeleteLorel- You have inspired my next blog - check it out on Friday AM.
ReplyDeleteJemi- I, too, am an excellent multi-tasker, but that doesn't necessarily make me balanced. And I always have a headache...Hmmm...
Great idea! I look forward to reading blog posts related to your novel. COOL!
ReplyDelete"I know you're a professor, but what do you teach? But don't complain about too much free time! I want to hear more about what you write/do!"
ReplyDeleteI have an MA in English lg and literature. I had my share of teaching English in a high school and in some private schools, but then decided to go into publishing industry and start translating books. That's my main job, but I still teach: whenever there's some nice offer I teach English in big companies and firms to adult professionals who need English in their job and life, which involves dealing for 8 or 10 hours with hundreds of adult students without breaks :)) but it's refreshing and pays well :)
And everybody expects me to write a book some day, so you might inspire me with your work and writing spirit :)))
What did you study at college?
Ahh, Dezmond, college! I knew I was going into broadcasting, but I had so much *fun* in college that by the time three years was up I had to see where I had the most credits. That was English. Lucky for me, I could still jump into English Lit. with full force, and I've always been a reader/writer so it was an immediate match. I was in the midst of my Masters when the Air Force (in which my husband was an Officer) decided to move us unnecessarily. So I was not able to finish that, but I was able to continue my career in broadcasting. I've worked as a reporter, writer, producer and now freelance producer. But mostly I get to work on this blog and my WIP(s) while I raise my children. It's not a bad life.
ReplyDelete"Study" isn't exactly what I did in college, but I came out of it with an awfully large bank of knowledge. Go figure.
Michele