It's just after 10 a.m. and already this morning I've processed in my head three topics I'd like to work into a post. Trouble is, I know how long each one would probably take once I got started - and right now I have too many more pressing tasks to face - things I have been putting off for days.
Unlike some people (who maybe have rocks in their heads) I don't have a store of pre-prepared posts to draw upon. Spontaneity is the name of my game. So probably I will find myself eventually posting another photo - with a few brief comments that won't require too much thought.
I am sure I am not the only one who faces this dilemma over how much time to put into the blog. Deep down I always know (like right now) that no matter how quick I think my post is going to be, it will always consume more time than I allowed for. In fact, on days when there isn't much time available, it's best not to think about blogging at all. There's nothing worse that being interrupted in the middle of a tricky linking process, or just before you're ready to push the Publish button. (My husband is very aware of that look I get on my face when he stops by my computer and attempts to make conversation at a crucial time.)
In between processing blog ideas this morning, I've been speed-reading Ayn Rand's book, The Art of Nonfiction. It was due back at the library a week ago, but as usual I brought home more books than I could manage ... and now I'm trying to skim through the last three so that I can take them back ... in order to pick up the two new ones that I placed on order and now await collection.
According to Ayn Rand, professional writers have to be very serious about avoiding interruptions of any kind. She talks of her inability to even try to write if she has an appointment ahead later in the day. ' What's the use?' she says, 'All this effort for an hour or two.' She then adds, 'When I was writing Atlas Shrugged, I accepted neither day nor evening appointments, with rare exceptions, for roughly thirteen years.'
THIRTEEN YEARS ... on one book! I hope she allowed herself some diversions in that time. I have never read Atlas Shrugged, and as it's fiction, I won't be tempted, but perhaps someone who has, can tell me whether it was worth all that determination to remain secluded for so long.
There are many obligatory appointments I would be happy to forgo, but at this stage in my career I can't use my blogging as an excuse.
Well now, it's been fifty-five minutes on this one - half an hour longer than I'd planned - so now I'll be off!
Recently, I spent 3 hours on a post which drew one comment. So I've decided to go around making random and rascally comments on other people's blogs, rather than trying to write my own daily posts.
And to think - I used to have visions of novel writing fame, and $$$millions earned through the movie rights.
Posted by: Tjilpi | November 30, 2005 at 01:16 PM
Really enjoy your blog. Good music playing in the background, too.
Posted by: joared | November 30, 2005 at 04:14 PM
This is a randomly generated comment to increase your ratings.
BTW, isn't Ayn Rand associated with the kind of people who would consider bombing Aljazeera?
You don't have to reply to that.
Posted by: Tjilpi | November 30, 2005 at 08:16 PM
I know what you mean about hating interruptions. I've been known to get up at 3:30 on a Saturday morning just to get a few hours of uninterrupted time for writing.
Posted by: pablo | December 01, 2005 at 09:43 AM
Some people are born to blog... and others to comment. There's an art to making thoughtful, meaningful comments and too many people just submit a throw-away remark that's of no real value to the writer. Yours are always appreciated Tj - and your blog is worth reading too.
Wish I could hear that music Joared.
Posted by: Jude | December 01, 2005 at 10:24 AM
I love that latest twist on 'there are two types of people'...
Ayn was always an oddster -- the 13 years without appointments is only embedding this impression further for me.
I have a backlog of draft posts I've never published or have just given up on.
Posted by: elsewhere | December 01, 2005 at 12:16 PM
It's a dilemma - finding the time to blog; I've been considering packing it in because I have so many other things to do - and write. I also need more sleep! But it sucks you back, that good feeling of being part of a far-flung group of interesting people. I love visiting your exotic garden one minute and reading about someone sweeping snow in Poland the next.
Posted by: Anna | December 01, 2005 at 01:04 PM
Some years ago when I was in one my periodic reading marathons, I found myself caught up in reading some of Ayn Rand's writings, reading others about her and some of those in her circle. She had some interesting ideas i.e. THE ART OF SELFISHNESS. Interesting to me that one of her circle evolved to our U.S. Govt. (Alan Greenspan, Federal Reserve guru.) Then there was the ultimately popular psychologist (his name escapes me, senior moment some would say) Rand shared with his wife ... or vice versa.
Did read ATLAS SHRUGGED during that time. Recall little of it to comment. Did you say 13 years, no appts. day or night?? Maybe she had some interruptions not mentioned.
Hope you made it to the library. Keep gardening; your descriptions, pictures of butterflies delightful. Am fascinated with the fruit with which I'm totally unfamiliar.
Posted by: joared | December 01, 2005 at 03:28 PM