Tutor at Kathleen Brebes Reading and Writing Center

Writer of YA and Middle Grade Fiction

Editor at Editing Eagles (manuscript evaluation and critiquing service)

Kbrebes@aol.com

Friday, February 18, 2011

The art of writing is the art of staying on the page and not flipping to some other social networking site.

Our lives are busy. We move from place to place throughout the day. We take our phone, net book, and laptop with us. We read our mail wherever we sit. Sometimes we mean to write, but we get caught up in email, friends, and Facebook.

I've decided I need a log-in sheet. It might be interesting to track the minutes and hours I actually spend sitting and writing.

Mary Heaton Vorse said, "The art of writing is the art of applying the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair.

Not anymore.

The art of writing is the art of staying on the page and not flipping to some other social networking website.

I've got my notebook--I'm ready to log in. Have you got yours?
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12 comments:

  1. Jordan McCollumFebruary 18, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    Oh, man, this is a constant struggle. I'm using Dr. Wicked's Write or Die tool more and more lately. You hardly have any time to pause, let alone click away.

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  2. Stephanie HumphreysFebruary 18, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    What a great idea. I'm going to start a log book right away and hope that my word count will increase. Thanks for the idea.

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  3. Wendy SworeFebruary 25, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    THat is so true! I've had to really cut back on how much time I spend on writing sites like Goodreads and such because I wasn't getting anything done! Now I am, but I do miss the social interaction. I've started logging my hours on my phone app to make myself accountable.

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  4. Wendy SworeFebruary 25, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    I just took your little quiz on the right BTW. It says I'm Marianne Dashwood. *sigh* I like Elinor better, but I like Marianne in the end of the book too.

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  5. kbrebesFebruary 25, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    Wendy, I love Marianne, and you are sooo Marianne!!

    I'm logging and it's working! Hope it is for you, too, Stephanie.

    Jordan, I'm checking out Dr. Wicked!!! Thanks, all!

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  6. Abby AnnisFebruary 28, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    What a great idea! I have major issues with this too. I'll have to give it a try.

    Thanks for the follow! :)

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  7. ali crossFebruary 28, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    LOL! Bum glue ~ don't write without it!

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  8. Stacy HenrieMarch 2, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    Great reminder! I've tried scheduling out some of these other social networking activities during the week, so when it's writing time I will actually write. So far it seems to be helping.

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  9. Lindsey EdwardsMarch 4, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Social media and e-mail check-ins and more can all be such a drain. It detracts from the actual process of writing. That’s why I do not allow phones or the internet in my office. My laptop does not have access to the internet, not a single button to click on that would take me to any access to that crazy world wide web! My office is for writing and writing only. It’s the only way to get things done.

    New to your blog, I added myself as a follower! *hi!*

    ~Lindsey Edwards
    www.thewritewords-lindsey.blogspot.com

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  10. Jane Isfeld StillMarch 16, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    Hi. Great challenge and so true. :) By the way I was looking back at a couple of blogs and I saw on one of mine that you asked me to read a copy of my Dad's eulogy. I would be happy to send it to you if you still want to read it. It was fun to do. Can I say that? LOL let me know your e-nmail address.

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  11. kbrebesMarch 21, 2011 at 11:57 PM

    Great ideas, everyone! Welcome, Lindsey! Jane, I'm going to email you!!!

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  12. DeanaMay 2, 2011 at 5:20 AM

    I get caught doing this so often. I have to make my networking and writing times completely seperate...well, I should...or else my the day gets away from me and all I have done is check emails, blogs, facebook and twitter. What's networking without really writing?

    ReplyDelete

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