Uncategorized

Update – One Thing at a Time

AJ.Dixon27 Comments

Hello, everyone.

It has been a while since my last post, and I realise that the frequency of my posts has dropped in recent months. There is a very clear and simple reason for this, and that is that I am taking on too many projects at once.

I am quite ambitious with my writing, and I like to keep myself busy with some project or another every day. However, I have come to realise that I am spreading myself too thin when I should be concentrating fully on each project as it deserves. Too often I am making myself anxious because I haven’t found the time to work on a new story for my blog, or wasting time being concerned that it must play second fiddle to my novel writing, or my writing course, or my competition hopefuls. My writing should be enjoyable, as it was when I began posting on this blog, and not the source of stress that it is rapidly becoming.

I have had a long think about all of this, and I have decided to cut myself some slack. It sounds daft and obvious, I know, but it has taken a while for me to realise that it is okay to do so. I want to keep this blog up and running, as it has helped me grow in confidence and ability since I first made the plunge, and I genuinely feel as if I am part of a vibrant, exciting online community. I have made some wonderful acquaintances on WordPress, and some of you I have had the great pleasure of meeting in the real, unedited world, too! I do not want to put and I end to that, but I need to let myself breathe and not worry too much. I will continue to write fiction for this blog, but it may not be very frequently, as I have other scintillating projects which will require my attention. This blog will remain my refuge, my sanctuary if, and when, I start to become buried again. I hope it will not happen too often.

Thank you to every single one of my followers and even to those who casually stumble across this blog. Your comments and feedback keep my feet on the ground whenever my head is in the clouds!

Have any of you had, or are having, similar problems to this? I’d love to hear from you, not least because it will prove that I am not alone! Until next time, thanks for reading!

27 thoughts on “Update – One Thing at a Time”

  1. No worries Adam, you have to prioritise what you need to do, we’ll still be here when you post, so take the pressure off yourself. No quicker way to writer’s block than too many projects running simultaneously.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. you are right to have a breather. You aren’t alone for sure. Currently I’m finding it hard to sort out the time to write my next book; the ideas are there, even a semblance of structure but… I’m procrastinating. But, hey ho, whatever. It’ll happen when it will happen. See you about

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks, Geoff ☺ I’ll just plod along and enjoy myself once again. Ahh, procrastination! The real enemy of creativity! I’m sure you’ll wriggle out of it’s clutches sooner or later. Best of luck with the book ☺

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. I think just about every blogger and writer comes across this problem, Adam. I certainly have and I’ve written about it. There’s nothing wrong in taking a blogging break but, if you’re going to take one, ensure you do take it and don’t be tempted to post which will result in you having to then probably respond to comments etc, etc, etc. I took a 6-week blogging break last Summer so I could concentrate on getting my book ready for publishing. It was the best thing I did and really helped me get things done. Best of all, when I came back to blogging, everybody was still here 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks, Hugh ☺ I remember when you took that time away from your blog, and it’s great to hear that it worked out so well for you. Speaking of your book, I’ve actually just bought it and had it delivered! 😄 I’ll make a start with it very soon! Thank you for taking the time to comment, I’m feeling very encouraged.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. I did get to a point where I was quiet on WP because of other writing, life in general ect. I now dedicate time every couple of weeks and free write. I come up with fiction for my blog, that inspires further stories then I upload and schedule those babies. For me it takes the stress out that I already have 4 or 5 weeks worth of material online and ready to go

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Hi Lisa, thank you so much for commenting, and I must apologise for my late reply.
      That’s a really great system you’ve got going! ☺ Glad to hear that you can constantly inspire yourself and have the time to schedule the posts. I’ll have to find something like that! Also I’m very pleased to hear that I’m not the only one who has made this decision. Thanks for taking the time to read ☺

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. Adam, my experience has been that it’s sometimes good to take a break. There are other things we need to get on with, and you do need to spend some time focusing on those. Enjoy the time away, and we’ll look forward to seeing you back. Will you be at BB this year?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Hi Graeme, thanks a lot for reading and commenting ☺ Apologies for the delayed reply, apparently I have really taken this WP ban to heart!
      I will do my best to enjoy the time away, and thanks for the encouragement. I’m planning on being there, yes ☺ How about you?

      Like

      Reply

  8. I feel your pain!

    I often find myself to stretched for time with keeping the blog going, admin, producing articles for other sites and pushing the novel that I get too stressed out and don’t write at all!

    I’m taking the new approach that if I can’t write something new, I’ll edit the old stuff in the meantime. It keeps me scrolling through Facebook anyway…

    M x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I thought you might do, Megan! 😆 Your hard work with your blog is certainly paying off, though!
      I’m working on a novel as well, so maybe we ought to berate one another into actually writing the damn things!
      That is a great approach, I find that it works for me sometimes. Of course, it often backfires and I end up with three unfinished projects nagging me, instead of just one…curses and headaches soon follow!
      Haha yeah, bloody Facebook and it’s procrastination siren call! Thank you for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated and I’m feeling a bit better about my time management ☺

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. Your plan to take a break sounds good. There’s no doubt that blogging can take over. I started a blog as part of a campaign to find an agent for my novel; I now spend far more time on the blog than on the novel…I must be doing something wrong somewhere!
    Good luck with your break!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you for reading, Penny 🙂 It certainly can take over! How has your hunt for an agent worked out? I hope you’re enjoying the blogging, even if it is taking up more time than you had hoped!

      Like

      Reply

  10. I know just what you mean Adam have cut down my blogging too as am in the final stage of formatting my first novel. Writing has to come first, blogging second. Good luck with all your writing projects – see you at the Bash. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment