School is starting soon! Well for my kids at least. And yes, I'm excited. My schedule will be back. I can breathe. I love my kids tons, but I need some writing time. The one thing that's hard is blocking that little thing called the internet. It's pesky, isn't it. It teases and looks so inviting, but you must look away and not be tempted. It can be a total distraction, which leads to no time to develop a story. So what do you do when you're stuck on an manuscript problem and you see an email pop up only to learn that it was an advertisement, but it made you think about another social site that you need to check to see if so and so got a book deal? Shut it off. You heard me. I see your eyes are bulging and you're hyperventilating. It's not the end of the world. Seriously.
It seems like we get all our info off of social media (including yours truly). It can be addicting and totally put you off your game. Not only is it sucking up time and keeping you away from creating, it can damage your self esteem. How? As happy as I can be for others when they triumph, it can hurt a little if you have nothing to say about numero uno. In your mind, you may think you're making no progress because there's nothing new with you. But understand everyone is at a different level. They all are traveling down different paths at their own pace, and so are you. Stop and take a look around you, at you. Have I learned this lesson over and over? Yes, but it's worth repeating because we get stuck into the everyday hum drum and it may feel like you're going no where, but everyone else is miles ahead. Bologna. Yes, I used a lunch meat or you could see it as an Italian city, which ever you choose. Moving on.
You have to shut it off and put your fingers to the keys. Even if you have to go to the box directly and switch it off. Give yourself a certain amount of time without it. You'd be surprised at how much you can accomplish. Then reward yourself--chocolate, ice cream, internet time . . . yes childish, but effective. I use the same tactic with my kids. They want video game time, they must read or do math problems to earn time for it. So I should do the same for myself.
Who's up for the challenge?
I will be in the querying trenches for a while. I'm not sure how long I can fight, but I have two novels that are ready. So, my blogging will be spotty. I'm not querying both at the same time. That would be crazy. I plan to do one then the other while writing my fourth novel.
What's new with you?
Have a great day!!
