Wednesday, June 1, 2016

ISWG: I’d be a Better Writer without the Internet


It seems like I’m always setting goals to curb my internet, i.e. surfing time, so that I can get down to write. Last fall, I read Eat that Frog: 21 Ways to Get More Done in Less Time and following Tracy's suggestions really helped for awhile. I banned the Internet (which was on my not life or death, but fun list, according to the book) until I had eaten a few frogs (did hard stuff, like dishes and writing). It worked for awhile. But now I’m creeping back to my distractible old self.


I’m in a brainstorming stage right now, preparing to draft a new book. I’m doing character bios, brainstorming plot ideas, that sort of thing. But the other night, I couldn’t hardly write for 5 minutes straight without thinking of something else to look up. It’s hard to get a lot of writing done when you keep interrupting yourself.

Once a week, my kids have art with their grandpa (my father-in-law). I sit in the next room with my laptop and a cup of tea. I have no internet access for those couple of hours. It probably helps that it’s the one day a week I can write in the morning, my best time of day, but it also helps that I can’t be distracted. If I get stuck, I don’t get lost in “research” instead of writing.  I have to push through.

It is fertile writing time. I get more done on that day than any day of the week.

So it makes me wonder how much more I would accomplish at home if I could just turn off the internet. I once read an interview with author Marissa Burt. She talked about how she doesn’t have internet at home. She has children younger than mine, so part of it was to keep her focus on her children, but I can imagine how it must help her writing. She goes to the library to log in to check her email and social media.

Alas, I cannot commit to such severe methods. I need the internet for work and my kids’ schooling. But what to do?

Perhaps I need to read Eat That Frog again—and be reminded not to fritter my time away on fruitless web searches. I’m not sure.

What do you do resist the pull of the Internet so you can stay focused on writing?

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21 comments:

  1. Jenni,
    I have to admit that I don't fight against the internet because I use my computer for almost everything connected with my writing and my music. I research and record my searches in evernote, wunderlist, and capture notes. I keep my links in Day one and I write in Scrivener and Word. So, I've never seen the internet as a problem. However, I can understand it being a problem for others. So I hope you get some great feedback about not being interrupted by the internet from others in our group of writers.

    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat Garcia


    http://www.patgarciaandeverythingmustchange.com/2016/06/iwsg-june-2016-recovery-is-not-matter.html

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    1. Thanks for your feedback, Pat! I know it's a good thing most of the time, especially when my research helps me writer better. It's just those days when I don't feel like writing that it's a problem.

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  2. There's no way I could deal with no Internet. I don't really think it's the problem. It's our addiction to it. Perhaps set a timer for 15 or 30 minutes where you just write like when you have the quiet time once a week. I've heard from others a timer can really work.

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    1. The timer is a good idea. I need to try that. It's always sticking to it that's my problem. :)

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  3. Heh, I love that title. I'm bad about writing for like five minutes, going cruising for 10-15 mins, then back for five...Vicious cycle!

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  4. I need access to the Internet - no way I could cut it out.
    Maybe you and your laptop need to go sit outside for at least one hour a day. Just fresh air and writing.

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    1. Ooh, I love that idea! I'll have to try that.

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  5. There must be something in the air. I've been highly distracted as well. My solution -- write in a notebook.
    Vijaya

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    1. That's a great reminder, Vijaya. I was doing that last week, but somehow forgot about that. I probably can't write a whole novel in a notebook, but I can brainstorm better that way.

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  6. When I'm in writing mode, I use internet surfing for breaks and bribes. I've had one writer's retreat where I didn't have internet access without making a trip over to another building to get it, and that was just frustrating when I wanted to quickly research something small.

    I've heard about apps that will temporarily block your access on your own machine or limit which apps will function. I haven't tried them myself yet.


    @mirymom1 from
    Balancing Act

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    1. I like your treat idea. I've done that before as well--I just need to get disciplined to do it again. And I know what you mean about not being able to research something--sometimes the Internet is totally necessary.

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  7. Some days I'm able to stay off social media better than others. I used to beat myself up over it, now I just kind of go with the flow and keep an eye on how much time I'm spending on it, ask myself what am I avoiding, etc. I find it all shakes out in the end. :)

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    1. You're probably right. I have certain days that I'm not on much either. Thanks for the encouragement! :)

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  8. I do better if I don't check social media before I write. If I do, then the writing gets pushed back later and later. I still don't think I could go completely without internet, even if it is to google a word. I'd rather know and then get back to my writing. I've found setting a timer does help quite a bit with distractions.

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    1. That's a good idea. I was doing writing before social media. I just need to get back in the habit--and maybe set that timer. :)

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  9. I guess I get the story idea, outline and start writing. I wait to look up/research ideas etc. until later. Not to say I don't get distracted with Twitter when I'm writing. When I get stuck on a scene, I switch my brain to Twitter. It actually helps. I'm only on it for a few minutes then back to writing.

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  10. I don't know if I would want to avoid the Internet 100% while I'm writing just because sometimes I use it to quickly research stuff. But I can see how certain sites can be distracting and I try to avoid those while I'm working.

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  11. I also get distracted, but I push myself to work on a certain amount--3-10 pages depending on whether I'm drafting or revising and editing--and then break.

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  12. I think Natalie hit the nail on the head. It is our addiction to the internet, rather than the internet itself, that is the problem :)

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  13. You know, I'm awesome at ignoring my kids. Otherwise I'd never get anything done, but truthfully, I research/fact check as I go so the internet is a staple of writing. When I'm drafting I set a word count goal for each day, and that does tend to keep me on track, but there is the odd day I get sucked into the fine art of construction in the 13th century or the history of firearms. Do I feel bad about it? No. I'm that much smarter because I took time to research and I hope my kids will be just as unabashed about pursuing their interests.

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