I'm with you, MJ. I also cut back to once a month on Substack after interacting daily. I found I had overshot the balance, and it was really cutting into my novel writing. Like you, I've shifted gears a little to prioritize my book writing. Social media, literary citizenship, and anything else will always have to take second place to that.
That's awesome Jason. Thanks again for sharing your initial essay Striking the Balance, it helped me to see this whole thing much more clearly.
It really is, Striking the Balance! Because we're all learning and growing together - hoaning our craft. So it's not a bad thing, it just can't be the main thing.
I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. And Iām looking forward to your book. Happy Writing!š¤ š¤
MJ, oh boy, do I hear you I have had to cut back on my writing output. I was trying to do everything with a lot of prompts and in the end felt I wasn't doing it well enough to my satisfaction. I would post stories I thought were subpar only to have them turn out to be quite popular. I guess I am not a good judge of the quality of my writing. I still spend a fair amount of time writing. Not sleeping at night helps. I have focussed my energies more on longer stories such as the story cycle that is always almost finished. I have had to make even more adjustments since I discovered SUNO, a music writing app. I always loved writing musicals for the kids I taught. Now I am writing lyrics and music for me. I am just playing around now but will soon start improving on my initial outputs. Am I doing too much? Still most likely but it is where my interests lie. I take time off during the school year to spend time with my wife when she is home from work and when necessary to enjoy and explore other avenues of learning. I don't mind not writing for a day or two. On the other hand, being almost 70 and retired can afford me a bit more time. I am not interested in wasting away watching tv, or youtube videos.
So have I cut back? Yes. I am just making better use of my time with lesser expectations.
Often it just takes an acknowledgement that our lives have parallel priorities.and that we must be cognizant of their importance. It's too easy to lose sight of that.
Yeah I think you're on to something there, just realizing where our attention and time is being spent is the first part. Then being intentional with how we apply that knowledge. And flat out, just giving ourselves some grace goes a long way.
I can't wait to hear the songs you've been working on, once you're ready to share! Happy Writing Bill!š¤ š¤
I'm learning that I can only do so much. If it doesn't get done there is always tomorrow.
I have been thinking about sharing some with you. Right now they all have flaws I haven't fixed as I as i'm.playing with the program to understand this part of it better.
I tried sharing on chat but it won't let me load a song. Any ideas.
Right now I am over heated from this heatwave. I need to cool down and give it some thought.
I appreciate you reading and taking the time to reply. I get it. First things first. But I do hope you'll have time towards your art soon. š Thanks & Happy Writing!š¤ š¤
I feel you, as you know and shared (thanks for that). Sounds like yo I came up with some good behavioral solutions: reduce response effort, put phone away, etc. For me, if writing was only writing, and I had someone else (or it was my job to) do the organizing, editing, marketing, etc., I would have so many books by now. But for me, I like writing new things. And Iāve accepted that Iām in no hurry to be a salesperson. So I just write. Letting go of the rules and pressure to do it a certain way way is also a strategy.
I'm with you, MJ. I also cut back to once a month on Substack after interacting daily. I found I had overshot the balance, and it was really cutting into my novel writing. Like you, I've shifted gears a little to prioritize my book writing. Social media, literary citizenship, and anything else will always have to take second place to that.
That's awesome Jason. Thanks again for sharing your initial essay Striking the Balance, it helped me to see this whole thing much more clearly.
It really is, Striking the Balance! Because we're all learning and growing together - hoaning our craft. So it's not a bad thing, it just can't be the main thing.
I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. And Iām looking forward to your book. Happy Writing!š¤ š¤
MJ, oh boy, do I hear you I have had to cut back on my writing output. I was trying to do everything with a lot of prompts and in the end felt I wasn't doing it well enough to my satisfaction. I would post stories I thought were subpar only to have them turn out to be quite popular. I guess I am not a good judge of the quality of my writing. I still spend a fair amount of time writing. Not sleeping at night helps. I have focussed my energies more on longer stories such as the story cycle that is always almost finished. I have had to make even more adjustments since I discovered SUNO, a music writing app. I always loved writing musicals for the kids I taught. Now I am writing lyrics and music for me. I am just playing around now but will soon start improving on my initial outputs. Am I doing too much? Still most likely but it is where my interests lie. I take time off during the school year to spend time with my wife when she is home from work and when necessary to enjoy and explore other avenues of learning. I don't mind not writing for a day or two. On the other hand, being almost 70 and retired can afford me a bit more time. I am not interested in wasting away watching tv, or youtube videos.
So have I cut back? Yes. I am just making better use of my time with lesser expectations.
Often it just takes an acknowledgement that our lives have parallel priorities.and that we must be cognizant of their importance. It's too easy to lose sight of that.
Yeah I think you're on to something there, just realizing where our attention and time is being spent is the first part. Then being intentional with how we apply that knowledge. And flat out, just giving ourselves some grace goes a long way.
I can't wait to hear the songs you've been working on, once you're ready to share! Happy Writing Bill!š¤ š¤
I'm learning that I can only do so much. If it doesn't get done there is always tomorrow.
I have been thinking about sharing some with you. Right now they all have flaws I haven't fixed as I as i'm.playing with the program to understand this part of it better.
I tried sharing on chat but it won't let me load a song. Any ideas.
Right now I am over heated from this heatwave. I need to cool down and give it some thought.
Email or you can stick them in a draft and share the link in the chat š„µ ikwym!
Hey there MJ,
I've been more of a reader than a writer for the past few months. Health and obligations take up most of my days.
I miss writing though. I've potted down phrases or excerpts from time to time yet have not settled into the tranquility of the craft I enjoy.
Excuses be damn, I will eek out more time to writing once again.
Take care šāØļø
Hey Debra š
I appreciate you reading and taking the time to reply. I get it. First things first. But I do hope you'll have time towards your art soon. š Thanks & Happy Writing!š¤ š¤
I feel you, as you know and shared (thanks for that). Sounds like yo I came up with some good behavioral solutions: reduce response effort, put phone away, etc. For me, if writing was only writing, and I had someone else (or it was my job to) do the organizing, editing, marketing, etc., I would have so many books by now. But for me, I like writing new things. And Iāve accepted that Iām in no hurry to be a salesperson. So I just write. Letting go of the rules and pressure to do it a certain way way is also a strategy.
Write or Die! OMG I know right š we're gonna figure this thing out. Happy Writing Jennifer!š¤ š¤
Greetings to you in the glorious and the blessed name of our lord Jesus Christ.peace and grace multiplied to you in Jesus name
Thank you š Victor.
Hello sir how are you