So: thinking of this blogging every day thing. It seems like a lot to ask of readers. That’s one thing. I mean, my inbox is FULL every day. Yours probably is too. And if you’re also writing, well… it goes without saying time is limited.
But then, the next question arises: is this concern, wondering about your time to read, the real reason or is it because … well, whew. Blogging every day is a lot.
The Memoir, as I’m fond of calling it, is finished. Not done. But finished. That happened Wednesday. Now I’m in the rereading the whole thing together stage and revising sentences I missed other times of reading through.
It will go out to BETA readers next week.
So then I’m thinking, well, what else am I going to do over the next month or so? December is not the most effective month for querying.
Maybe I’ll go with pithy posts, like Seth Godine. Ten lines max most of the time.
Problem: I’m not exactly what you’d call a pithy writer, more a long seven-courses-with-wines writer.
Therein lies the dilemma.
janetsunderland.com 
I’m not a serious everyday writer. I write seriously when I have something to say. For now I’ve written travel stories of my significant trips. I’ve written memoirs. I’ve written when feelings arise in my gut about various things that beg for expression. Right now I feel fallow and am waiting for the next meaningful transition in my life to happen. Meanwhile I have time for focusing on the blogs of other writers and getting immersed in their worlds and words. I don’t know where the words I have written came from but have no fear that the source will dry up.
LOL. I’m not sure how “serious” a writer I am, but I do write every day.
Kudos for focusing on other bloggers and reading! And thank you for commenting on your immersion in mine. I’m always happy to see your name. J.
Maybe being a “serious “writer isn’t determined by frequency. I am quite serious about writing and staying in touch with other writers. I just have my own rhythm. I am always interested in what interests you.
Hi Janet! Great news about your memoir!! I’m so happy to hear…. Sending you big hugs from Brooklyn :))
Hi there! I was, as a matter of fact, thinking about you as I stared out my window this morning, first cup of tea at hand and wondering how your settling in was going.
Oh I’m honored to have started your morning with you! I’m doing well thanks… This is week 2 in my new Brooklyn “nabe” and I still feel a bit like a tourist but it’s been great… Learning the ropes of my new supermarket, gym, fruit stores, pharmacy etc plus new subway lines to get to work in Manhattan each day… Change is good but a little outside my comfort zone kinda makes me homesick but it’s going to be great.. My house plants are loving my eastern & southern exposure… They’re really flourishing already. Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts as you are in mine !!! Have a delightful rest of your weekend!!
I would suggest that you continue to write something everyday, now that the habit is still fresh. Whether or not you post all/any of them doesn’t matter as much as the process of writing matters.
I am just getting back into a daily writing routine by participating in NaNo and I am picking up momentum.
Good luck to you from here on out,
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Thanks, Allan. I write every day. It’s just the blog posts that don’t always get written! 🙂
But now that the memoir is finished, the work now to re-read, send out to readers, etc etc, writing in journals may not be enough. I’m going to continue. And if I miss a day now and then, well, I do. But the discipline to see. Now. That’s the challenge.
Hi, Janet. Thanks for your reply. I find that photography helps me to “see”— literally and figuratively—with respect to writing.
I know that once my antenna gets tuned to the right frequency it can be a challenge to stop and share, but it is oh, so worth it in the long run.
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“photography helps me to ‘see'” caught my wandering mind and I had to think about it. While I take a lot of photos, I think I use them to remember more than see. And I had to think about that. I’m a visual thinker, head clogged with images, which I often forget, which is why photos are useful. 🙂 But I’m going to see if can incorporate what you said and allow photos to “help” me see more clearly. I like that idea.
I have found the lesson to lie in the details. Observing a scene, deciding what to photograph, the POV, the format (vertical or horizontal, square or rectangular?), B&W or color? All of these choices help me to look deeper at what is in front of me, much like the choices I make when I want to tell a story.
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Thanks, Allan. I like what you’ve said. It’s probably time for me to unearth one of the cameras I own and go for a walk. I’ve relied too much on the cell phone camera in recent years.
I’ll remember your pointers.
There is nothing wrong with the cellphone cameras. I haven’t used my digital point-and-shoot camera in 4 years. I took out the batteries so that they wouldn’t leak and damage it.
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Well, you learned me again, Allan. I went in and removed the batteries. I now have a Pentax 35mm film camera; a digital Nikon; a point and shoot digital Nikon; and a cell phone. the problem I’m having with cell phone shots is I’m left handed so holding still and shooting the shot, even turning the camera upside down, I have trouble holding steady. Now. Pass on some wisdom to that one, please! How should this left-handed impulsive girl hold the cell phone camera?
Hi, Janet.
The photo apps on my iPhone allow me to turn on a control that lets me activate the shutter release by tapping on the screen, or by pushing one of the volume control buttons on the side of the phone. I prefer to use the standard shutter release (the camera icon).
Checkout the ProCamera app at http://www.procamera-app.com/
Their website gives you a good look at the app and how the settings work.
Prepare to get rid of your old gear.
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I’ll check that out, Allan. Thank you. I have an Android but they might have a download for it, too. I’ll check.
I believe that they are iOS only at this time. You might check your photo apps to see if you can set up the shutter to release if you tap anywhere on your touchscreen. Some apps also allow the shutter to operate if you release your finger from the screen.
These can be a help in low-light or macro situations, but I don’t use them. I am busy dragging my fingers around the screen adjusting the focus and spot meter position.
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I found an Android procamera app. And downloaded it. Now I just have to figure out what it does and how to use. But I will, Allan, I will…
Congratulations and good luck.
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I find the time to read your blog postings every morning. Wine with coffee works well for me.
Marilyn Lynch
Hey Girl…so nice to see your comment! Thank you. Wine and coffee… hmmmm. Mine works more like coffee interspersed with tea and wine in the evening.