I've been blogging for about three years. I started it because I was struggling so much with finding a balance between raising young children full-time and writing, and I needed to get some of that frustration and confusion out. Some of my posts have been about my children, some about writing, some about trying to make the two harmonious. I've blogged about Tupperware, fancy dress parties, emigrating, Ugg boots...maybe too much on the Ugg boots. I got a publishing deal - nothing to do with this blog - and the book came out in November 2009. Being published continues to make me feel excited, proud, terrified, and slightly mad - the mad bit is about trying not to compare success, plot, title, cover, awards, reviews, sales figures, etc, with any other author. In this information-overloaded age, this is a hard thing to do, I find. But that's a different matter - I've just been meaning to say it here and didn't get around to it. I also had in mind a post about how writing a novel is similar to potty-training a child...but perhaps that one is best left unsaid.
My point is that I need a break from blogging. It's not serving any purpose at the moment, other than to make me feel guilty for not feeding it. I'm nearing the end of a first draft - and the first draft of a second novel is, as they always say, pretty scary. The second draft beckons with cohesion and theme and hook, but I need every ounce of strength to get there. Christmas nearly finished me - now I want the New Year to begin with the most important things being attended to.
Thanks for reading.
14 comments:
Good for you being able to identify what's important and prioritise. It's all too easy to think you've achieved something when you've spend the day doing essential networking on Facebook and Twitter. Looking forward to reading your blog again when you're ready!
Good luck, Emily. I'll miss your posts but I quite see that you have other priorities at the moment.
Good for you Emily. I too sometimes feel that blogging can sometimes be a pressure rather than a writing tool. Best of luck with other writing and hope that 2010 brings all you hope for. Fx
Well done Emily - along with your self-inflicted grounding from distractions a while back in order to concentrate on your book, you are quickly becoming my hero(ine)in terms of discipline! I finished 'Girl, Aloud' last night and loved the very socks off it! It's being passed to my Girl now. Gone are the days when a Kit-Kat was all we needed to take a break!
Good luck with the prioritising! I'm sure you're second will be fantastic. x
#aw, I only just found your blog, good luck with your novels and kids.
Keren, Geri, Fi, Debs, Traveller and Tuesday Kid, thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Funny to think that three years ago I had nothing to do with blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc, and STILL didn't think I had enough time to write... Peter Carey scared me with his post-NaNoWriMo speech about how serious writers should not even be watching TV!! Bugger that though. There has to be a balance somewhere. I'm off to look for it.
Best wishes, Emily
If I didn't watch tv I'd have nothing to write about...
Aw, I haven;t looked for a while, just caught up, and now you're off! But sounds like a good decision, Emily. Hope you come back soon.
Keren :-) glad it's not just me then! Caroline - naturally I've thought of about 5 blog posts since I shut it down, but I feel a little lighter.
So so sad to not have your blog to read - this means we must get much better at talking ALOT more often!!! But so so happy you get to focus on other more important things. Love ya xxxx
ack! I will miss your funny blogs. But I understand COMPLETELY ... Best of luck with the writing and I can't wait to get my hands on Girl Aloud.
Thanks, Simmone. I'm happy to become a blog reader for now - your blog impresses me every time and seems such a good extension of your work as a novelist.
sometimes you need a much needed break.
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