Saturday, January 24, 2009

THE WRITE WHISPER: Protecting the work

I've heard this phrase mentioned a few times lately...'protecting the work'.

You'd think it would have something to do with copyright but when I've heard it, I've skimmed past, yet managed to get the gist of it, I hope!

For me, protecting the work is about doing whatever it takes to ensure your writing comes first, your muse is fresh, your creativity flowing.

Now I'm not saying lock the kids away, tell hubby to vamoose and put the writing first (unless you're on deadline!)
What I am saying is be careful not to be swamped by other writing-associated things that your time is eaten away.

We all know what a distraction research on the Internet can be so I'm not going there.
But lately, I had a good chat with an author buddy who'd pulled back from every 'loop' she was on. Timely, considering I was about to do the same thing.

When I was first published, I joined every loop I was invited to join. I participated, I posted, I congratulated. Then along came the kids...and deadlines...and promotion...and my time is now limited. Extremely limited.

So this week, I've taken stock.
I'm on 45 loops. That's right, 45!
I'm in the process of paring that back to 5, unsubscribing to most of them by stealth.

I won't be missed but what I do know is that the few hours it takes me to check emails in the morning while toddler is napping (even skimming those loops where I'm on digest for most) will give me extra writing time.
And that's what counts.

'Protect the work', that's my 'write whisper' for today.

12 comments:

Mon Wood said...

Here I am signing up for more loops and you're cutting back! Lol.

Well, I'm at the "I-need-as-much-info-or-help-I-can-get" stage, so it's very informative being on such loops. You're right, though, it's a time zapper.

Now, stop blogging and get back to writing!! *grin*

Dena said...

Hi Nic, I've heard this subject earlier in the week too. It wasn't what I thought at all. I am in a lot of groups and never have time to visit them.

Kate Hardy said...

FORTY-FIVE?

*exhales*

Maybe six or seven, here, and all bar two are on digest. Am learning to switch off my email, too, otherwise I'm too tempted to answer straight away.

Romance, Rumours and Rogues said...

You're right about needing the info, Mon, which is why I madly joined so many at the start.

Now, I need as much time as I can get :)

Romance, Rumours and Rogues said...

I have no idea if I'm on the right track with this or not, Dena.
Guess it's my version of 'protect the work' :)

Romance, Rumours and Rogues said...

Crazy, huh, Kate?

Which is exactly why I'm cutting back.

Anonymous said...

I love this topic Nic! It's so true and can apply to so many things in life because I've found if you let it everything can get in the way :)

Nikki

Natalie Anderson said...

Am so with you Nic - but 45???? My goodness. I missed the popular boat when it came to invites LOL. But hey, you're not gonna sign of from MH are you cos that's abut the ony one I'm on!!!

Dena said...

Oh no what you wrote Nic is what I read elsewhere it's just that by the title I thought it had to do with protecting your work from others stealing it or copying it.

Romance, Rumours and Rogues said...

Sure can, Nikki.
Our writing is sooo worth protecting.

Romance, Rumours and Rogues said...

Nope, Nat, you can't get rid of me that easily :)

Romance, Rumours and Rogues said...

Phew, Dena!