Thanks, as always, to Alex J Cavanaugh for his inspired original idea. You can sign up here, if you've just arrived from Mars and never heard of this fantastic group before.
So, why am I so disorganised this month? Because I just finished my latest novella. Yep, honestly, unless my latest reader finds amazing problems with the plot/characters/themes, it's staying exactly as it is.
I've been so deep in edits that I've been a little bit blog-absent recently - once more my blog feed is hitting 600+ posts to read. I have to be honest, I probably won't read them all... And then I'll feel bad, because I can guarantee that by deleting posts without reading I'm going to miss some really important news. And then I'll feel like a bad blogger friend, and I'll forget that I only have my blog to support my writing, so my writing should come first, but I've known my blogger friends for so long that they're now my real friends. And then I realise I'm actually neglecting my non-blogger friends too. And then I feel bad, and insecure, and wonder if I should bother writing at all.
So, to clarify... balance is this month's insecurity!
it's the wicked catch 22 of blogging!!
ReplyDeleteI think most bloggers realize that other bloggers have lives outside of their writing and blogging life. So if you need to take some time off to work on other stuff, most of us are very understanding.
ReplyDeleteI was going to say exactly this!
DeleteI thought I was the only one with the crazy 500+ feed and the 250+ emails from blogs I've subscribed to. I agree, you should take care of yourself first. The work/life balance seems the hardest to achieve. Have a great Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteI know EXACTLY what you mean. It's s difficult to maintain a balance in all things, and when one thing suffers, guilt piles up. *sigh! But the best bloggers understand, because they're in the same boat. :)
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Tammy is right - blogging can be a catch-22 in that way. But don't fret, we're not going anywhere :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to see your confidence in your novella and that's it's finished. What a great feeling that is. And let me know if you want help with a shout out.
ReplyDeleteWell done on finishing the novella! And remember, you're writing/blogging buddies understand that the writing comes first. :)
ReplyDeleteBalance is important. I'm not very good at maintaining balance, but at least I recognize the importance of it.
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats on finishing your novella! That's terrific news!
Balance is a constant struggle for me Annalisa. My blogging flow comes in peaks and troughs, I think I'm on my way to a peak at the moment :-)
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad about deleting unread posts though, you can only do so much and you don't want to burn yourself out.
I feel your pain! Gah! I've felt this way exactly. It's so hard. Balance is hard. Sorry, I'm no help whatsoever!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I know how you feel. I haven't cleaned out my blog reader in a week and it's looking pretty scary right now. Hope your story is ready to go.
ReplyDeleteI completely sympathize. I always feel bad that I can't get to every blog friend I have. Most days, I can only keep up with return commenting the people who commented on my post! Balancing is rough.
ReplyDeleteI understand how you feel. I try to set aside a specific time for online socializing but it always seems like it's never enough. Trying to balance is a balancing act in itself ;) Congratulations on finishing the novella!
ReplyDeleteWow! 600 posts to read! Annalisa, you would have to be a magician! I have problems trying to keep up already. I'm sure no-one's going to think any less of you for not getting to them.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new novella. Making time for writing should be top priority after family.
Maintaining, or even achieving, some sort of balance is difficult. It's a juggling act, and it's okay to drop a "prop" here and there. It really is. :D
ReplyDeleteCongrats on completing your novella!!!
LOL! I think I heard someone last month talking about how sometimes you just have to say "that's good enough" when it comes to returning visits. Somewhat obsessive compulsive, that kills me, but it would have killed me even more to actually keep up the twice I REALLY fell behind. We balance the best we can and have to let the rest go, eh?
ReplyDeleteYay on the novella!
I like that--and may steal it for a future insecurity. Balance is a huge issue for writers. Take me--I'm not balanced. I write when the muse insists, and avoid it when she's on vacation.
ReplyDeleteGood post.
Hi Annalisa - I can quite see the Catch 22 of blogging as Tammy, Cynthia and Kyra ell endorse - it can be a struggle at times .. but so well done on finishing your novella ... and you can only do what you can do ...
ReplyDeleteCheers and here's to your balance .. Hilary
I can so relate to this feeling as I'm sure many others can. There are only so many hours and sometimes blogging has to take a back seat. Well done on finishing the novella that is cause for celebration.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you are going through. The same thing happened for me this time.
ReplyDeleteBalance is very difficult to achieve. I end up feeling the same way you do but I think most bloggers understand when you're absent for a bit. Life happens to all of us.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you have to delete them. It's all right.
ReplyDeleteBalance is always a must for me. When I'm out of balance things are not good in the McKye world. The laws of balance and harmony whisper and then yell (when I'm not listening)--you can not do it all. So do the best you can with what you have to do.
ReplyDeleteGood thing about friends, if they're truly friends, they understand the time divisions and realize just because you aren't there ALL time doesn't mean you don't care. Just means you're busy and you will find your way back as you can. Anyone gives you hell about not visiting every single blog post they write you have to ask if they need to be on your friend list. I already know that I can't get to everyone on my list every blog article. There are those who can do that and more power to them. I do try to visit as often as I can. I don't always succeed. Such is life. Do the best with what time you do have.
Sia McKye Over Coffee
I used to actively pray that God would make me not want to write. Imagine how clean my house could be? But I love it. It makes me happy. And a bit crazy and scatterbrained!
ReplyDeleteBalance is so hard, but fantastic when you can find some! Congrats on finishing the novella!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing the novella. And you are sweet for a truthful confession about not getting to blogs, feeling overwhelmed on time, etc. A little white lie could have saved you the angst - a fresh blog post that says "so sorry everyone, had computer problems and just lost the last week. I'm sure your blogs were lovely." Bam - we would have accepted it and moved on. Either way it's all okay. Balance - you have a life, husband, kids, writing, and your football to watch and cheer, and soon Olympics. Can't do it all. Just don't skip a glass of wine and a chocolate.
ReplyDeleteWoot on finishing up your next novella! A lot of us are blogging less, so don't feel guilty about it. We can only do what we can do.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing your novella. I think all your fellow bloggers understand when the writing keeps you away for a while. Don't feel guilty.
ReplyDeleteI never feel balanced, to tell you the truth. It's all about hitting the top few priorities and then getting to as many of the other items as possible, working your way down the list. But I understand what you're talking about.
ReplyDeleteI've had days when I've decided to just catch up on a few blogs and ended up doing nothing else all day.
ReplyDeleteIn keeping with the theme of this post, I don't have time to comment individually, so I'm going to say a huge thank you for visiting - it's nice to know we're all in the same boat, which obviously I knew, but sometimes I forget! I'm now off to do about 10 different things at once :-)
ReplyDeleteHere from Alex's blog. FWIW, I can sooo relate to your dilemma. Although I just completed my novel, I've also been editing like crazy in order to prepare for the upcoming ABNA contest. Not only have I neglected my blogger friends, but also my family. After developing my story for four and a half years I have to finish the game, so to speak. It's become an obsession. in truth I can't wait for it to be over, LOL.
ReplyDeleteGuess what I'm trying to say here and not very eloquently is, you're not alone. Us writers understand the effort to strike a balance between our need to create and maintaining friendships.
Love your blog am now a follower. Best wishes on your novella.
I stopped trying to keep up with my blog feed when it hit 1000+. I need to spend my time writing!
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing wrong with focusing on your writing! In fact, it's a good thing. :-D
ReplyDeleteOh, Annalisa, you should NOT feel bad for falling behind in blogland---it's impossible to keep up. Besides, we'd all be mad at you if you neglected your writing for us. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, I feel your pain! I can't keep up with blogging and I've given up trying! I dip in and out when I can, but that's the best I can do.
ReplyDeleteII am working on a novella too. I wish you good luck with your project Annalisa. Be confident :). You;re amazing.
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