My Writing Challenge: Social Media Mania
My Writing
Challenge:
Social Media Mania
by A.E. Albert
When I started this whole writing business, I didn't even know what Twitter was. Now I was drowning in social media, emails and everything Facebook.
As I sat in front of my computer, I wondered where my self-restraint and focus went. Of course, I knew who the culprit was. Well...unfortunately, it was me.
Yes, I had fallen prey to wanting to know if I had a new email, what people are saying on Facebook and maybe, just maybe...I sold a book.
Read: Multi-Tasking, Social Media and Distraction: Research Review
Writer's rule #1: Writer's Write
But I had stopped writing and was wasting my valuable time on the web. The problem is, there's also having a day job, life's commitments and then my book.
It felt like there were obstacles everywhere. I needed to change my mind set. I had forgotten why I had started this adventure in the first place. I knew I needed to get back to the basics.
I Wanted to Write
I didn't write to receive anything. It wasn't even for accomplishment. I did it because I wanted to create something. I wrote with no expectations. I had none for my project or myself. Nor, were there expectations from outside sources.
There is an immense sense of freedom in that. When there are no expectations on you, there are no limits. Your creative self can soar and go places you may not have anticipated.
What the Heck is Social Media?
After I wrote my book, I became immersed in social media. You have to understand something, I did not write on Facebook. I did not read status' on Facebook. I did not 'share' on Facebook or any other platform. I didn't know what Twitter was.
Seriously, I mean that.
My newly written book motivated me to trail blaze in my own life, to venture down the unknown path. Yes, I was terrified. But like I said, my book forced me to go places I never thought I would go.
Unfortunately, I went Native
I would sit down to write, but I just needed to quickly check my email or my blog stats. Before I knew it, I wasted my time on social media and pretty much got nothing done.
I thought to myself: There's all these disciplined writers out there. Why can't I get it together? So I started to research my embarrassing affliction.
I soon discovered I was not the only one with checkmyemail-itis. Not only did I learn that I was not alone, but there was a cure.
1. Organization
I've always been organized. But I had been humbled and realized that I needed to re-organize.
I put together to-do lists for every aspect of my book and blog, I pre-schedule every blog on an online calendar and plan my writing time. I schedule in social media and email checks for certain times of day.
Read: 7 Weekly Steps To Becoming An Organized Writer
2. Time
I started utilizing my time in the morning. I am NOT a morning person. But for the last few months I aimed to wake up at 5:30am. My goal is 5:00am, but I'm not there yet.
3. Avoid looking at Stats
Do not check blog stats. Why did I even need to do this? I write to be creative, help other authors. I do not need statistical affirmation.
Yes, this is my mantra.
4. Word Count Goals
It also helps to have word count goals. Start small if you need to, maybe 250 words a day. You can always add more as you achieve your goals.
5. Follow Through
When I get to the part on my list that says 'write', I write. Follow through with the plan, having one is meaningless if it's not implemented.
Mistakes are a necessary aspect to any new process. When we choose to view these little mishaps as challenges, we will only get better at mastering our craft.
Do I have a way to go? I'm learning to not be so embarrassed to admit, yes I do.
What are your challenges? Leave a comment.
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About A.E. Albert
I know just what you mean. I have days when I write, and days when I do stuff online. In the evenings I dedicate 1h to the blog, daily. That's about it... And yes, I'm always behind on most tasks, but I came to realize & accept that it's not going to kill me or trigger WWIII. I do what I can, and then I so some more the next day and so on... Great post!
ReplyDeleteGreat attitude!! I love writing and blogging, so I don't want it to burn me out. You're right, you have to put limits on yourself.
DeleteIn the early times, I was just like as you'd expect: obsessed, and wanting so badly to hear from this or from that agency (and then later, from this or that reviewer).
ReplyDeleteEnough time passed, however, and the experience of rejection having had its chance to become "culture", I finally became different.. Already, The Representative was a success, in just having been written; the goal wasn't to get an agent, or to get a reviewer, but to just communicate myself to such people, demonstrating my being and intelligence to them!
Naturally, the contradiction would ever infiltrate me.. Why am I advertising myself, to a literary agent, when The Representative's design is to make their world diminished? But then, is that its design? Yes, it features "squatter", and it features "striker", and "deserter"; yes, it features the 2x2; yes, it features a plot that's a reference to the real world status quo, however.. isn't political commentary, and isn't being "about substance" the precise sorts of assets that the publishing and the movie industry love to advertise?
In the end, it became just this: talking to others, whoever they are. It's this that's the fruit of life - human beings, talking to one another!
Another 24 hours, Aimee.. then "Don't promote your book, promote yourself" (Looking at the list, that's the next which feels appropriate to me.)
I completely agree about success and how it is defined for each of us. I too, remind myself that it was all about getting the story out there. Whatever happens after is all gravy.
ReplyDeleteWe go round in circles, this is the truth.. There is no onus, on any industry to take in my work - yet why then is this or that other work getting all the treatment?
ReplyDeleteI may not like it, having to admit to this, but there's no denying that I experience it.
I think we all do. Let's face it, as readers, we've all read 'published' duds.
ReplyDelete