“How long before you will have something of your novel ready to submit?” a fellow writer asked me a couple of weeks ago. A fall day with strong sun. My friend’s eyes were intense.
“Six months, I think.” And suddenly I knew: “I could not have answered that question a month ago. I really am ready to press on.”
In order to get to where I am now, which is with even moderate focus, I have had to withdraw from my blog and much of the internet. Okay, fine, I said to self as fall pressed on. Take a full month hiatus from the blog. First things first, and the novel is first. I’ve been dithering around with it for far too long. I also wanted to putter in the garden during the glorious fall weather. Sit on the porch, put my feet up, and watch the leaves fall.
As these things often do, the month hiatus has stretched into six weeks. With each passing day, it has become harder to return here. I have formed different habits. My mind is thoroughly on the novel each morning, and the rest of the day flies with tending grandson and the household, crochet, which I’ve now taken up, and reading all manner of things.
“Being a good writer is 3% talent, 97% not being distracted by the internet.”~ Anonymous
I’ve discovered something. I am not a blogger.
I blog, but I am not a blogger, in the same manner that I very often rode a horse but certainly was not a cowgirl. I have done both, but I have also laid down both.
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” ~Louis L’Amour
I cannot lay down novel writing. I am a novelist. I can write a short-story, or an article, or essay, or even a bit of memoir, and heaven knows I intend to pursue all of those. But here and now my heart and soul is in the novel. And in order to write a novel, I must give my heart and soul to it.
Blessings,
CurtissAnn
Curtiss Ann Matlock 
Amen! You said it so well, I too blog but am not a blogger. It bothered me at first, but then I realized when I wasn’t blogging, I was doing what came naturally… for me it is gardening. I am a gardener.
I am enjoying the luxury of sitting on the patio watching the leaves turn, sipping iced tea, and talking to the neighbors as they pass by. Soon it will be too cold to sit outside, and maybe then I’ll be inspired to blog a bit.
Still, dear novelist, this gardener enjoys reading what you post.
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Darling Nola- Me, too, to all you say. I enjoy blogging and reading blogs when I do, but I find I am naturally doing other things–raising my grandson, enjoying my husband, reading novels, women’s Bible study, learning our national heritage, gardening, and now crocheting! Let us all follow the natural rhythms of our lives, which is how we are made and where our light shines.
Sending love, CurtissAnn
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The quote about the internet can apply to artists too. Like me! Well I am glad I am on the web long enough to read your blog.
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This internet is a two-edged sword that needs to be wielded with care. And everyone has a different level of need/tolerance.
Meanwhile…back to writing.
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I empathize totally. I don’t see how people keep up with all the internet sites available and get anything else done. Mostly they are time-consuming, addictive, and keep us from doing the things we should be doing — like you writing a new book for us to read. And, we can’t do without that!! Good luck on the getting down to it (writing the book that is), but also enjoying the things that make life worth living — the change of the seasons and the family.
I’ll be thinking of you while I drink my hot tea.
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Great post, great wisdom. My favorite line: First things first, and the novel is first.
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Thanks for the encouragement, Pam. These weeks of abstaining from much of the net are helping me see what I really want to read there. Choices, always choices. Shoot.
CA
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By all means, put your focus, time and energy on the novel, but I hope you’ll continue to check in once a month or so, … let us know how life is going.
I noticed you gave up the FB acct a while ago. Too many things are out there to steal our attention away anymore.
Hugs, Denise
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Ha! I love that quote about the internet. So true. That’s why I deleted my facebook and twitter accounts. I needed to focus on writing my novel.
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