Just a reminder

[alanajoli]

Thinking about writing isn't writing.

Talking about writing isn't writing.

Blogging about writing isn't even writing.

Doing research to prepare for writing still isn't writing.

Writing is writing.

This is something I needed to be reminded today. If writing is a priority, then you have to write. There's nothing else to it.

--

Note: I did a friend list purge today. If you feel you have been removed in error, please let me know! I got a little zealous toward the end. Also, hello new people! It was fun to see people adding me during the month that I wasn't blogging at all. Something about the stars aligning, I think.

Comments

[alanajoli.livejournal.com]

You are absolutely right--all (or at least most) of those elements are required. But I've been doing a lot of those other things, and not enough of the actual writing, and I'm realizing how damaging that's actually been to my spirit. So, it's time to readjust--and strike that balance.

I had a long conversation with my former academic advisor yesterday about my need for not just writing, but for writing and audience, and how I've been using blogging effectively as a salve--or an instant gratification version of that. It was a pretty powerful conversation, and it made me really reconsider the way I've been treating my priorities in the writing sphere. Hopefully, I'll stay inspired. But I figured I'd just blog the short version of the results. I may actually send you an e-mail about the whole thing, because I think you'd probably understand better than most the paths the conversation trod--if you're interested!

And finally, I've been reading Contra longer than it's been on lj, so of *course* I'm keeping you on my list. It's been delightful being in touch with you more regularly since you mirrored over here. I always appreciate your words of advice--they've helped me back on the path more times than you probably realize. So... thanks for that!