Christy's post yesterday about balancing the at-home work with the out-in-the-world work really got me thinking. For my first several books, the internet did not exist. If I wasn't out doing school visits or speaking elsewhere, I was just home, disconnected from the publishing world. But now, the publishing world is in my inbox and at my fingertips every day. And I find it dangerous.
For the past year, I have battled with the balance. I found myself on two "supportive" web boards for writers. But I found, more often than not, that I was becoming consumed and obsessed by them. And each time, I logged off feeling more and more unsupported, and less and less confident of my skills as a writer.
I swore off both sites about 45 days ago. ( Yes, I'm counting.) They were like an unhealthy addiction, nothing more than a distraction to the work I'm trying to accomplish. Does my finger still automatically want to click on the Favorites? Not so much with each passing day, and the urge becomes less and less every day I stay off those sites.
Do we need outside support as we sit at home and work? Yes. But it is all about finding the appropriate kind that nourishes our creative soul, rather than extinguishes it... and I'm grateful to have the Spuds, who do that for me every day:)
7 comments:
David, you are a wise man!
I too have been trying to steer clear of the distractions that invade the creative space. Like you, as time passes I'm less and less drawn to them.The novelty of Facebook has long worn off; I am not inclined to manufacture attention-getting quips for status updates. I can't fathom Tweeting. It's sad that your two "supportive" web boards were draining rather than nurturing. There must be some good that comes from being "connected," but we each need to find our boundaries and hold them firmly.
I was fantasizing about all of us having a writers retreat or gathering sometime, somewhere. Our group grows on me more with each post and I am likewise nourished by spud-thoughts.
Actually I am late and snuck into David's day ;)
Stephanie, I just noticed that! Okay, so you are not a wise man, but a wise woman, and I am a nutjob.
Yes, a wise woman, Stephanie! I, too, am thankful for my connection to my spuds, who nourish, rather than drain my creative energy.
Glad to hear you are still Stephanie. I was afraid I'd missed something significant when Christy called you David. I really found your comments interesting. I've always admired how connected you were so it's helpful to hear the downside. I, too, struggle with this balance and think it's an excellent topic for us to share.
I too am glad you are still Stephanie-- I was initially confused with Christy's confusion-- but very interesting post no matter who you are! It is all a balancing act-- and spud retreat sounds like something to think about seriously!
It's so true that the Internet provides many opportunities to connect with the world but also has the potential to distract us and even thwart our creativity...
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