Drink the Kool-Aid.
Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.
Be honest.
Don’t be a jerk.
Blog.
Don’t blog.
Do this.
Do that.
But that thing over there – don’t do that.
Oh and that other thing, yeah, not for you.
Or maybe it is.
But if you want this, here’s a ten-step plan to do it the right way.
And by the way, there’s this new cool thing I heard of, yeah, totally you.
But only do it if…
**ducks head and works on writing**
I think if we close out all the noise, we can hear ourselves better making it easier to figure out what’s best.
Ahahaha. Nice point you’re making, Laura! There’s lots of advice and tips out there, but the only thing that could really make you a great writer is to actually write and finish what you’re writing. And I’m pretty sure that’s not advice, just common sense! 😉
That’s what I’ve been doing lately, trying to cut out the chit chat of the voices around me and focus on my writing. I think we all need to. Maybe keep an eye out for breaking news but it means nothing without our writing ready to go.
I’ve been trying to leave three days to read blogs and tweets and two days off during the week so I can really concentrate on my writing (which is the main reason I blog and tweet). Today is my day off, and I’m here so it’s not a bulletproof plan. 🙂 So two days I go to less blogs and check Twitter LESS.
I take it you’ve come to the conclusion that writing is top of the slate now!
Write on, Laura!
Writing has always been top of the slate. But I’m definitely giving my brain a break and not even thinking about the industry and our choices while I write this first draft.
Yes and yes and yes! 🙂 And I’m turning off my browser to write today … as soon as I’m done with a few more comments … 🙂
Ha ha! I love this, Laura! I’ve been blogging less lately to try to focus on my revisions, so I totally get where you’re coming from.
Have a great weekend!
LOL. Sounds like my life to a tee.
Totally hear you! Should get offline right now.
Oh yes. So familiar.
I’m am so looking forward to this 4 day weekend I’m heading into, and once the computer goes off…it’s staying off until Monday.
Have a good one!
Great stuff! *Gets back to writing*
Yes, this is life, is it not? This morning when I was typing on the computer, my four-year-old son started sneaking cereal.
After I caught him, I frowned and called him “a little sneak,” in a critical voice. And his mouth turned down as he tried to hold back tears. I felt awful!
“Are you going to cry?” I asked.
He broke down into sobs, and I held him on my shoulder as he cried. Then he was confused about me being nice to him.
About now you’re probably wondering how this relates to your post. Well, we all do our best, but get told to do things differently. It must be so hard to be hungry, but get scolded when you help yourself to food.
LOL, this was an awesomely brilliant post!!! I wondered where you were going with it, but your last line was perfect 🙂
Stopping by from Bloffee. Ha ha! Love it! All those mixed messages and such vehement arguments too! I think you have the right idea – just put all that passion into the writing. 🙂
I laughed out loud at this. As wonderful as the resources online are, it’s also easy to get caught up in having a dozen different opinions and having no clue what to to!
I love it. And you got it right … just keep writing!
Love all the responses! Yes and I’ve read about every article and blog post there could be on the subject. I understand the issues very well. But instead of rushing to make any decision, I’m going to let it simmer and focus on my writing.
Basically, do what you want anyway!
That’s it exactly!!! It can get so overwhelming, especially when the advice is so contradictory. Turning it off to write is the best advice yet! 🙂
I know…some days it all just gets to be a bit too much and we just need to focus on why we’re reading all these things or even thinking about these things: THE WRITING. 😉
Hugs Laura. I hope nothing I ever say on my blog comes across as preachy–I certainly don’t mean it to. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Haha, exactly. Sometimes you just need to ignore all advice and retreat to the writing cave. Good luck!
Ha. We’re on the same page! Good luck writing that draft. Make it happen!
Just be who you are, follow your own drummer, and write. That’ll get you through.
Oh look, a brightly colored object. Today’s flavor is… I’ve started turning off my advice radar and just going for it.
(and becomes hugely successful in the end). ;o) <3