Friday, February 11, 2011

Half and Half

When it comes to blogging I'm pretty much half and half. Meaning that sometimes I plan ahead for posts. I even occasionally write them ahead of time, especially when I have a guest, but usually I sit down and write my posts just before I publish them.

That can be great sometimes. I wrote yesterday's post that way, and it was pretty good. I also spoke loudly and said goodbye to NB that way, and people seemed to like those thoughts. Other times though, like today, it sucks. I've essentially got nothing to say, and that's an odd feeling for a gas bag like me.

I'm thinking about the people in Egypt, and worrying about them. I'm also wondering how deluded Mubarak must be in order to convince himself that his current behavior is going to work. But I'm not going to blog about that. It's too political, too complicated, and too important of a topic.

Other than that I'm a little anxious about next week. I have to go to my company's cross town location for training for my new position, and it's going to be a pain in the ass. Especially the driving. Oh well, I really can't complain. Having a job at all in this economy is a blessing.

I've got to get more done on the re-write of my novel. So far this year I have been working on it steadily, but I've only managed probably an average of two pages per weekday. I would like to get that closer to five.

So what's up with you all? Where is your writing at? How is your life?

I've got to get to work here, but have a great weekend!

32 comments:

Ted Cross said...

See, I've read about how important it is to stick to a blogging schedule, but I have never done this (perhaps that is why I don't have so many followers!). If I don't have something to say, I generally don't post. I also stopped bothering on weekends, since few seem to bother reading then.

Jessica Bell said...

I wouldn't worry about the schedule thing. I'd also suggest cutting down to four days a week. It's easier. Gives you a long weekend, and if you want to post on the Friday, once in a blue moon because you're inspired, then go for it (like me today), or just keep fridays for queries or guest posts. If you don't have those, then don't do one! Give yourself less pressure and make your schedule smaller. That's my two cents :o)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I have certain days I blog and a few things that are scheduled, like FFW every other Friday and upcoming movies near the end of the month, but the rest is freestyle. I do prepare my posts a couple days in advance. April will be cool - with the A to Z Challenge, I'll have every day pre-scheduled and ready by the first!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I enjoyed the post. I'm worrying about Egypt too.

This is a month to survive for me. It's crazy at work and I have too many night activities for my daughter, some where I have to work. So I'm not producing much other than reading people's blogs. But that's okay. It'll slow down in a few weeks and I can get back to it.

D. U. Okonkwo said...

Ah, the day job, which as far as I'm concerned usually stands for 'Just Over Broke!2 Ha ha!

But in all seriousness, Writing steadily, no matter how much you do, is a bonus. I started my second novel last year and considering how I flew through my debut, this second one has been a lot harder.

However much you do moves it along.

Laura Pauling said...

Sometimes I'm on the ball and have all my posts written before the week starts. Other times I just have Mondays and ideas floating around for the rest of the week. And sometimes I got nothing! It happens to everyone!

Renae said...

I've tried to set a schedule for myself and it never works out. I wouldn't stress about it. Good luck with you new position. I am never good with change myself either.

As far as writing, give yourself a break...as long as you write something everyday you should feel good. I've beat myself up the past few days because I haven't written as much, but I was forcing it. Now that the weekend is here I can relax and get caught up.

JE said...

Don't let the schedule thing stress you out. Stessed blogging is not fun blogging!

I hope all is going well with work and the training and all the jazz!

As for me? I need to get motivated to do something.

~JD

S.A. Larsenッ said...

I apologize for ignoring your post but I haven't been here for a little while. HAHHAHAH...your pink hair is great!! Maybe you should ax the cigarette and replace it with a cigar. Hey, all the kids with pink hair are doing it. ";-)

Kelly Polark said...

I'm a half and half blogger too. Sometimes I stick to a schedule, sometimes I pull a blog post from my arse.
Good luck with the job training (and driving). And LOVE the pink hair!

Laura M. Campbell said...

I'm also half and half with my blogging. Three out of five days this week I wrote my blog the day before and scheduled the posting so I didn't have to wake up so early. New to blogging regularly I still have lots of ideas. Even though you didn't have a specific topic today, you generated discussion.

I'm stuck on my first writing assignment for my creative writing intensive: status play with dialogue. I think it's more fear of exposing my novice writing skills than anything else. Must. Push. Through. Especially since it's due by midnight tonight and I have a Zombie Valentine's Day Prom to attend. I need at least two hours for make up and wardrobe.

Keep your head up. Enjoy the weekend!

Stina said...

Love the new hair color. :D

I have stickies all over my computer with ideas for blogs posts both for my blog and for QT. That makes it easier when I have to write a post.

(don't worry about visiting me today. it's all romance-y blogfest stuff that will make you groan). ;)

Emily White said...

I usually have things planned ahead of time but wait until the morning of to post it. I'm a procrastinator! :)

Michael G-G said...

Even when you have nothing to say (or so you think), you say it well.

Pink suits you, by the way.

Have a good weekend.

Sarah Ahiers said...

i'm digging your pink hair.
Also, 2 pages a day is pretty awesome, methinks. That is steady progress forward.
My WIP is out with betas, so i've been working on compiling an agent list. It is much more time consuming than i thought it would be

Hart Johnson said...

I do a mix of planned and winging it, too. A few months back I asked readers for topics and put them all in a spreadsheet, so when I'm stumped (or not in the mood for the next 'planned' topic) I pick one of those... like today.

Good luck with the job training! I am in major edit mode and it, too is slower than I expected, though I am actually managing 2 chapters a day (but keep in mind I do this 3 times in a given revision: easy changes, big changes, smoothing--I'm on the big changes round)

Amanda Bonilla said...

I'm watching the news right now. People are gathered in Tahrir Square. It's chaos. Amazing.

Old Kitty said...

I'm still blinded by your hair....

Your post yesterday was lovely - I was wondering what brought it on but now I know so yay for your call to writerly arms.

Mubarak is hanging on by the skin of his fingers and ain't going quietly is he?!?!? Dear oh dear!

Good luck with your novel re-write! Take care
x

Paul Joseph said...

I've had a hard time getting motivated this week. I think it's because I'm not liking the current place I'm at, so I'm waiting for that killer idea to come to me that guides me the rest of the way. The current chapter has been complete hell to get through, but I plan to force myself to do something today. Of course it's already noon, so I should probably get on that. Yea...moving....

Anonymous said...

I'm, like, the second worst blogger evar. (Leonard Nimoy's the worst. Just ask him. He'll tell you the same thing.)

I say don't you worry about what you are or aren't doing, dude. The actual writing comes first.

Colene Murphy said...

Good luck on your new job training stuff next week! Do worry about the people in Egypt too...seems like they got a victory today, though!

Cynthia Lee said...

I don't know how you manage the 2 pages a day! Sometimes I spend hours on a single paragraph.

Rachel Searles said...

I'm the same--I kind of enjoy just sitting down and winging it when I go to write a post.

Good luck with your training next week, and with your re-writing! I'm doing revisions too, and wanting to beat my head against a wall most days. Isn't it fun? ;)

Abby Minard said...

I usually write my post the night before. I schedule it for 8am, that way I don't have to worry about posting it.
And then throughout the day, I read everyone else's blogs when I get the chance.

Good luck with training, and writing!

vic caswell said...

i don't really plan ahead too often with blogging. if i have time at night, i'll write something off the cuff and then schedule it to post in the morning. i'm kind of reevaluating my blogging habits right now to try to figure out some kind of schedule. :)

LTM said...

yep, you touched on just about how it goes in the bloggy world. And I've been thinking about those Egyptians, too. Worrying about Hamas moving in... oh, sorry. Muslim Brotherhood.

hmmm... did I just get your blog put on the FBI "watch" list? ;p

shared brain~

dolorah said...

My day job is great - it pays me every two weeks without fail; my writing is calling for more attention; my overall life is pretty good. Not too exciting, but not drgging me down.

I'll send you plenty of smiles for the weekend.

I love the pink :)

Adam Heine said...

The way I do the blogging thing is to write posts ahead of time, but not tie myself to them. If something timely comes up, I just shift one of my other posts somewhere else (did that today, actually).

And my life is good. Thanks for asking :-)

Charlie Pulsipher said...

I have a little notebook full of post ideas, but I write them just before I publish them too, usually coming up with the drawings at the same time. It is hard work. That is why I only post once a week or so. You who publish posts more often are my heroes.

My novel is nearing the end. I hope to start the rewrite process in a month or two.
Funny Stuff I Write And Draw

Carol Riggs said...

Hey, Matthew, Happy Saturday! I know what you mean by blog schedules. I TRY to write something up ahead of time, like 2 at a time just in case I get busy. Kinda slipped up this week cuz, well, I was actually writing on my WIP. LOL As long as I write the post this weekend sometime. Luckily I only post once a week.

Ishta Mercurio said...

Writing and job first; you're in good company, and we all understand how the scheduling (or not scheduling) can go.

And good luck with your new position at work! I hope the training goes well.

Ishta Mercurio said...

Whoops - forgot about the writing and life part. My life is a rollercoaster right now, with highs (NYC conference!) and lows (family tragedy, other weird family stuff). But the writing is actually coming along really well - maybe the emotional chaos is inspiring me? I'm glad for it, whatever the cause.