I love blogging. Love it.
I love freelancing. Love it.
I love reviewing books. Love it.
I love laundry. Wait a minute. I hate laundry. But I still have to do it.
Here's my point. More than any of those things, especially the last one, I love writing fiction. In fact, fiction is my passion...the thing I believe I was created to do. The thing that brings me the most satisfaction and contentment and joy.
Here's the problem. With all the other stuff I have to do, my fiction is getting left in the dust. Call it lack of discipline, lack of organizational skills, over-commitment, or my family having too many clothes, resulting in just way too much laundry, but I just can't seem to find the time to focus on my fiction like I want to. Like I need to, really, if I want to realize my dream of becoming a multi-published (OK, I'll settle for published) novelist.
For the past couple years, I've been really strict about posting to my blog three times a week. Why? I don't know. Maybe because someone told me that in order to establish myself as a blogger, I should post no less than three times a week. Maybe because I'm weird. Like I said, who knows?
Anyway, yesterday it hit me. Why do I have to post three times per week? The Blogger Police certainly won't take me to Infrequent Blogger Jail or relinquish my blogging privileges. It's my blog. I can blog when and how often I want to.
This may seem like a silly lightbulb moment, but I've decided to exercise my right to say "when" and not to be so regimented about my blogging (and laundry) schedule in 2011. Yes, I know some of you are sniffling at the thought that you won't be reading three posts per week from me anymore, but somehow, I have a feeling you'll survive.
I will be checking in once or twice per week, but simply relieving the pressure of having to post three times every week will help me a ton. I just wanted to mention it in case you wonder.
Now the big question: Do you think my family will wonder why they have no clean clothes? And more importantly, do you think they'll survive? Time will tell...
12 comments:
Not a silly lightbulb moment at all. This post was for me today, thanks! :) P.S. I just started blogging if you feel like checking it out:
http://thedailygrind-amy.blogspot.com/
I can hear the screams of where's my favorite jeans now erupting from your home. I hope this new schedule lightens your loads a little.... :O)
Groan. I know exactly how you feel. Somedays, I have NO time to write! I keep saying: get more organized.
Do what works for you. Who said we have to live in a mould?
cb
http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com
Susan said...
Hi Lynda...That laundry might have to be designated a bit. Good luck with your new blogging schedule. I post daily only because I want and love to. Whenever it becomes difficult, I'll just do what you are doing but for now it's okay. Good luck. Susan p.s. So sorry I made an error on that previous comment so I deleted it and started over....my perfectionist tendencies. ha!
I'm learning that I don't have to blog EVERY day. I'm cutting back to 3 times a week and it's amazing that I keep finding time to work on other projects that I've been neglecting. Great post.
Lynda, we are so of the same mindset/circumstances. If I put half the time into novel writing that I put into blogging, freelancing, book reviewing, etc., I probably would be a published novelist now. Major changes in store for 2011...
and the post was for me too....this year's gonna be great...embracing those things I love to do...and need to..not just doing them out of 'supposed to.' Way to go.
I feel so much freer already...thanks for the support, ladies. :-)
Good for you, Lynda. Praying you find that fiction writing time :)-and are willing to just buy more clothes instead of washing them ;)
A friend of mine shared her laundry secret - everyone in her house does his/her own laundry. If someone doesn't have clean underwear, there is no one to blame. That sounds pretty cool. :)
I told myself I didn't have to blog on a regular schedule - and it backfired on me. Now I rarely post anything but Friday Fiction. That "lack of discipline" demon is a real thorn in my side! (I still have the bright orange sign from the conference - it's here by my side as always. It didn't provide the motivation I had hoped for.)
I post and do the wash, both, on Fridays. I must admit I like laundry;
http://livelearnwithsally.blogspot.com/2010/09/laundry-i-love-it.html
and posting weekly is very managable. Good luck.
Good Lynda! I hope you use the time you wrote the blogs to write in your novel. Once you get started writing (novel) it's hard to stop. It's the getting started that's so difficult!
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