The Writing Life
As many of you know, my thoughts about this blog have been rather ambivalent since summer began.
I think I finally have come to a decision. I think I am taking a semi-hiatus.
What I am planning to do is basically what I have done all summer: only post if something inspires me. Greatly.
I have already changed the format of the blog in this way, away from posting daily outfits and menus. I have already lost a lot of readership by doing this because I know this is what keeps people coming back, but I just don’t have it in me to do that right now. Maybe in the future I will return to that format.
Meanwhile, I need to expend all my free time and energy on writing my novel.
There were two poignant statements that helped me make this decision, each found in a writing book.
In Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande she writes: “Only engage in extracurricular activities that inspire your artistic side.”
In Chapter After Chapter by Heather Sellers, I read about how successful writers limit themselves to only one “extracurricular” activity and that “successful writers limit what goes into their brains, what taxes their time and they select for quality.” Sellers writes that the “number one reason books don’t get finished is this: writers say yes to other things.”
I am more than 40,000 words into my first novel and I need to make it my priority so my posting will probably become even more sporadic.
Thank you to everyone who reads my blog, I have found so many kindred spirits here and so much inspiration, but right now I need to turn inward for a bit and as writer Phyllis Bourne once told me “write fast, write hot.”
K
You’re just becoming focused on what you truly want and there is no need to apologize for that. I wish you well in your writing and will check out your new posts when you feel inspired to write them.
I, too, will look forward to your posts whenever they come. Good for you for taking care of yourself! Write well.
I agree with the others’ comments and I am looking forward to your new book when it comes out. I am buying the La Bella Figura now – and just wanted you to know your website was the website that has been inspiring me all summer long and truly understands what you mean when you were feeling ambivalent at the beginning….
I will check for updates from time to time to keep being inspired!
I think this is wonderful. You are following your dreams, how fabulous is that? I’ll still be checking in to seee if you’ve posted anything and I’mlooking forward to reading that novel
Carolyn
http://www.project21days.blogspot.com
Go you Kristi. I look forward to purchasing your next book.
Congratulations on your book! I am excited by how well into to the process you are.
You need to do what *you* need (and want) to do. Looking forward to reading your next book. (Yes, I did buy the first – haven’t finished it yet but hope to find more time to do so. Enjoying it so far!)
Chapter by Chapter is AMAZING, isn’t it?
That book has helped me so much (still does) that when I finally met Heather Seller’s, I wanted to kiss her feet!
I am happy for you Kristi! I will read when you post and I am looking forward to your novel.
Good luck with what you’ve decided is your passion. I’m looking forward to reading your published book. I’ll keep checking your blog for those times when you feel inspired to post.
Good luck with your endeavors, Kristi. I will miss reading your daily postings, but you have to do what is right for you. I will continue to check periodically to see if you have posted anything new and I am looking forward to your novel!
I will miss your daily posts, but good luck with your writing
I am thrilled to have found your blog today. I agree with your personal decision to do what is right for you. I tried to write a novel before I blogged. Blogging helped me to find my true voice. I will get to catch up on your past posts.
At 52 (53 on the 20th), I have finally learned the art of boundaries and passion. You need both! Good luck and I will look forward to reading your novel!
While I will miss your posts, everyone needs a break on occasion. Take your time, enjoy yourself and we will be happy to see a new post when YOU feel like it.
K, hope this time off is exactly what you need. I miss your posts–I check everyday–but it’s good to know that you’re doing something you really want to do. Continue to enjoy the summer, and write, write, write!