I've put an important adventure on the back burner for some time now.
Sure, I've done some travel planning, learning a bit about the destination. I've taken a one day seminar here and there, and even a ten week course, all geared to help me get there. I've checked out numerous books on how to reach the place. But despite a few tentative steps on the path, I really haven't made an honest effort to make the journey.
Instead, I've traveled around Bloggyland. It's been such a great place to meet new people, learn new things, experience intellectual stimulation and and sensory delights, and laugh my lips off. I've proven (or at least, convinced myself) that I can write short essays and express myself through my posts and comments.
But now it's time for my personal awfully big adventure. I will not return to Bloggyland until I have written a chapter. Then I'll spend one day visiting everyone I possibly can and posting something brilliant. Then it's back to writing. A chapter completed = a day of blogging. That's the deal. My self-imposed sporadic exile is the only thing I can think of to motivate me to really knuckle down.
I will really miss you all. Hopefully it won't be too long before my first chapter is done. If you want good reading material while I'm gone, check out my blogrolls and my wonderful followers' blogs. And don't forget to go back to some of my earlier posts, read and comment. I love to get feedback and hear others' thoughts on a subject.
Meanwhile, if you have something to share on how to get to one's writing destination, or any of these physical destinations, I'd be grateful. Know good things to do, places to see, ways to save money, places to eat, sleep, whatever? Come back as often as you'd like to share your ideas. It would be awesome if there were a zillion comments awaiting me.
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17 comments:
In Charleston, SC, there's a wonderful weekend farmer's market and a city market with all kinds of goodies, including hand woven baskets, done by very talented people who weave away while tourists watch.
Vancouver, WA, is a beautiful spot ... I would make sure to also spend some time in Portland Oregon and Seattle, WA ... both wonderful, exciting cities.
Glacier National park is beautiful and if you like hiking, there are a lot of opportunities. Just be aware of bears.
Finally, I really like your idea of one chapter = one day of blogging. Blogging can really take over a life ... and if one wants to accomplish anything else, it's necessary to impose restrictions. Best of luck on your endeavor!
Small Footprints
http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com
Congrats to you for taking your goal seriously. Have you read Carolyn See's book? Her book got me to take my literary life seriously. Have you read my Writing in Valencia series? ( Sorry, I forget if you have). I have some good tips on writing.
Bon voyage!!!!
This is such a brilliant idea. MathMan and I have been fighting over my lack of discipline regarding blogging versus working on a piece of fiction I've been threatening to write for over a year now.
I may have to borrow this idea. It will kill me as I am an addict, but I think I need structure and this could be just the thing.
Okay, now about you - I'm intrigued! I hope this technique works for you.
Hey, now you know why I took all that time off - though fun, blogging can eat and eat and eat away at your time and you live for comments and you check for comments then you comment back on others's sites...
are you still working on the book we discussed during our coffee meeting-
keep me posted on progress -
cornelia seigneur
writermom.net
corneliaseigneur.com
Good luck with your venture. I guess we will see ya when we see ya!!! :)
Okay, well you get BUSY! Write FAST!
Wait, so I just stopped by for the first time and I got your answering machine? :)
Blogging is a huge time suck, I've fallen victim to it way too often. Good luck with your writing and I'll see you when you get back.
Good luck on your adventure. I once wrote a book; though it was never published, the self discipline was worth the time spent in that endeavor. At least Tall Husband read and loved it!
You are a writer if your reward for writing is more writing and reading! A chapter before blogging sounds like good discipline. I only post one day a week so that I can use the rest of the week to work on my novel. I also create artificial deadlines, usually around my manuscript readers and my kids’ vacations. Good luck!
Good for you!--even though I'll miss reading your blog!
My hubby quit his horrible corporate job eight months ago to pursue his writing career. He now has an agent who's working on getting him published. It can happen!! :)
Good luck to you! :)
Ah yes, it's the blogging paradox: you get inspiration and writing practice, but it sucks up all of your time! I think that your solution is a good one, but I have a proviso: You need to write a chapter in three days. Five, max.
You've been such a great addition to the blogging world . . . please don't be a stranger!
Good for you! I admire your resolve, and I need to do the same for my stupid dumb dissertation. Good luck with the chapter and hurry back.
Good luck with your writing adventure Holly, I will belooking forward to your next post. ♡
Good luck reaching your new destination. I hope, for our sake, that chapter one goes very smoothly and you are back with us soon.
I would suggest a good chapter length is about half a page or so. You know how texting has shortened everyone attention span?
Setting up incentives, rewarding yourself for accomplishing a goal, is a great idea. But how about two days of blogging for one chapter written?
selfishly yours,
coffeeyogurt
Barry and phd have wise things to say! This novel-writing thing is starting to drag on too long . . .:)
But seriously, this DOES NOT include Facebook, right? Or meeting for coffee?
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