It’s been one of those days. Actually, it’s been several of
them strung together. You know the ones, the one where you’d rather bury your
head in the sand than face any more bad news, or worse advice from self-proclaimed
experts who profess to have all the answers. Yep, I’m wallowing in the muck of
overwhelm and depression brought on by it. It has left me scratching my head in
confusion.
I was told that, as a writer, if I wanted anyone to read
what I write I had to be on social media. Okay, I spent nearly two years
getting more socializing than writing done. I met a lot of truly wonderful
people, but it didn’t change my sales figures one damn bit. Sigh. So, if you
don’t see so much of me on line any more it’s because I’m trying to reclaim
some of my real life.
Oh yeah, the latest thing from the experts, it is no longer
good enough to write a good story, now we are supposed to learn how to write it
in HTML so we can add all the features those super sophisticated readers are
demanding in their e-books these days.
Seriously? Does no one out there actually just enjoy sitting
down and reading a good story? I know I do. I read lots of work from new writers
and I ignore the few typos as well as poor formatting. All I need to hold my
interest and keep me coming back is a compelling story.
So that’s what I have decided to do. I will ignore all
advice from the experts and just write my stories. I will self-publish them,
warts and all. If a few folks read and enjoy them then I have done my job and I
am happy.
Here endth the Wednesday rant.
Posts
After reading yet another post about what I SHOULD be doing as a writer, I'm burnt out. I don't know what the perfect formula is, but I've been retreating a bit from the social stuff. Funny enough, the more I retreat the better writing I get done. Here's to creating stories! Happy writing, Pru!
ReplyDeleteHey Coleen, I do have to agree. I won't completely abandon social media, but I'm sure cutting way back on the time spent there. I'm also planning to ignore the advice of *experts* and just do what I do best.
ReplyDeleteMay your muse be generous. :)
I hear you, Prudence. I've actually written a post or two about the confusing messages we writers get about how to perform our craft. Like you, I've finally decided to concentrate on what works for me--end of sentence! I sometimes need the human interaction, but I need to pull back on work on what makes me happy, too. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great time with the writing. :)
Hi Elizabeth, I think we're on the true track here; stick with what you're good at and having fun with. That's my new motto.
DeleteBless.
I so hear you, Prudence - on both counts. I like blogs, but not so much social media. I know how to do all kinds of magic with HTML, CSS and other techie goodness, but I don't put it in my books. When I sit down to to read a story, that's what I want - to read. A story, and just a story! Have fun getting back into your groove, I've been having some of those days, too. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennette, thanks for the hugs; I think that's exactly what I needed. Sometimes I think we all try too hard and that's where we get frustrated. I'm on a new story now and feeling better.
DeleteSocial media can become a serious time sink, and sometimes scrolling through all of it can make a person depressed. That's the way it is with me, anyway. Anything the "experts" tell you needs to be taken with a seriously large grain of salt. A lot of them are trying to sell their experience. And, really, I don't think there's any need to learn HTML...
ReplyDeleteHey there, thanks for the support and the validation. I am not spending a lot of time learning HTML, I'd rather be writing.
DeleteThe trouble with all these messages is that they all seem to be along the line of "finding" and "forcing" one's self into a mold for someone else's convenience. It's certainly not for the writers... we all seem to be chasing our tales around trying to grab this new thing and that new thing, and...
ReplyDeleteYou're making a smart move, Prudence. I know I get a lot more done when I go "offline" for a time.
Hey Eden, I think you're right. It is funny how fast the next story came to me once I'd decided to just write. Just making a firm decision can often be the open door to new adventures as well as peace of mind.
Delete