When I got the rejection from the agent a little over two weeks ago I felt like quitting the blog. I am not sure what the agent’s response had to do with my blogging but my first knee-jerk reaction was to stop writing and never write anything but a check ever again and not even that if I could just use my debit card everywhere. I told some of you that I thought about taking down the blog and you wisely told me to not make any big decisions in this state of mind. I agreed and decided I would give myself thirty days not to make any decisions. I wouldn’t take down the blog and I wouldn’t decide what to do next. I would just hang out until 30 days had passed and then I could decide what I was going to do next.
Now, while I suck at math I am aware it hasn’t been thirty-days since I got the email of rejection but I feel like I have cooled down enough to make some rational decisions. I have decided, for now, not to send my book proposal about the “I” word to any other agents. Truth be told I am feeling a bit sick and tired of thinking, talking and writing about infertility. Maybe in time that will change and as I have nearly half of a book written it is probably wise to finish it at some point—but for now I feel like filing it with the play, the novel I wrote over in ten days( you can imagine what great quality work that was) over 14 years ago and all of the homework I did in college and grad school( yes, I have every paper I every wrote in a file cabinet at Valencia Store-Ur-Crap).
What, I think I have decided ( thanks to Igor, WendyB, B, Anna Lefler, and Jamie)is that I am going to write a novel. Jeeze, I feel scared just typing that. I feel like as soon as I typed those words that the muses, who have seemed to have lived in Valencia ever since I arrived here and because of their proximity have graced me with inspiration, motivation and an endless energy, have just called Bekins Movers and are moving far-far-away and that they will never-ever-ever visit me again. Even with that fear I have decided I am going to do it. I am going to write a novel and it may suck and it will, I promise you, be the worst first draft of a novel in all of recorded history. I will not let the suckiness of that first draft stop me from writing it.
Here is my plan: I am going to take the advice of Carolyn See in Making a Literary Life and I am going to commit to writing 1000 words a day, M-F, of this crap novel( no need to encourage me and tell me it isn’t going to be crap. I am just saying that so as to allow myself to have no expectations that my writing needs to be brilliant in the first draft or maybe ever). I even bought a special notebook today (which is necessary marker for any new beginning) and I am taking notes and I am writing every thought I have about my story( of which I can assure you you know much of as my novel is just my life that you read here only with more details and dialog) and so far I am feeling like I might really be able to do this.
I have also decided, even though it hasn’t been 30 days, that I am going to cut down on my blogging so I can really get this crap novel done and get back to blogging more quickly.
My blogging plan is pretty simple: I am thinking that from now on I will post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I am planning to do one Lily post a week ( as how can I help but), one “Writing in Valencia” post and one “We are going to France in May” post which will recount each detail of my upcoming trip and occasional Igor inspired posts. Now, there will be weeks when I break those rules and write more often or about different topics but that is pretty much my plan.
If you all knew how much time I spent on blogging you all might be doing a group intervention and suggest I go into a good Internet addiction unit. So, as addicted as I am to all of your blogs and I am( I read over 200 of your blogs everyday and comment regularly) I am going to have to limit how much time I spend commenting on blogs. It is my hope to cut down my blog reading and commenting to the days I post on my blog. Golly it is scary to say that. Yet, I don’t want to not write the novel because I was instead spending four hours a day writing comments.
Please, hear me, I am a co-dependent blogger. I love you all so much and I love it when you comment and I love learning more about you and what you think. I love your blogs and I would hate it if you thought that I had just…. I don’t even know what I am afraid that you will think. I guess, truth be told, I don’t want to lose you as readers or as friends because I can’t write, read and comment five days a week. Feel free to tell me that my plan is a crappy one and that I have my head up my tukis and that I can’t write fiction and that not only should I not cut down on blogging days but rather I should up my blogging to seven days a week. I can take it.
I think it sounds like a grand plan. I will miss you terribly and I hope that when I do write, you will sometimes have time to comment. For whatever reason, I have bonded with you more than any other blogger. Sounds so sappy but it is true. I guess maybe because we have so many things in common. I understand the internet addiction. I have been getting no reading, no resolution to my mother’s affairs, no tax work, and no anything else, because I spend so much time on the computer.
Believe it or not, I have discovered that not posting on my blog leaves me feeling anxious. As though my few readers will go away, or be let down. Maybe I should set a goal of certain days of the week, that would be more than I am doing now. Hmmmm….
I think you would make a fabulous novelist. Your posts are humorous and intriguing. Go for it. Just don’t go too far,;-), we would miss you too much.
All great ideas, Belle – Don’t worry – We shall still follow and you will still read us occasionally – It is enough…
One piece of advice I read once about writing novels is not to put everything you have into your first – When you are talking about your life, for example, don’t use all of it…all the beauty, all the Angst, all the stories…
Reason being, you’ll need material for your second!
1,000 words a day sounds eminently do-able – Best of luck and lots of love x
Well La Belle you already know what I think about the question of to blog or not to blog but to repeat myself do it when you want and how you want. If some weeks it is two posts as opposed to three who cares as long as we share in your journey.
I love the idea of your novel (presume it is non fiction) and think, not that I know too much, that it will be the perfect vehicle for your writing skills. We your loyal readers can’t all be wrong – right?
So blog when and if you can and the same goes for writing. xv
I can understand your reasoning behind The Plan. It’ll be sad not to read your posts quite so often, but it will be worth it in the end. I will definitely be buying your crappy novel, so hurry along and get writing. Go on…shoo…
Dear girl! I think it’s a thrilling plan. I know that whereever you place your energy, good things will follow. A 1000-word-a-day approach is an excellent idea.
I’m glad you’re not dropping away from blogging entirely, as, selfish one that I am, LOVE to read your writing and to be part of your bloggy community. But I think by dropping away from the rigorous blog routine, you will actually drop into your writing life even more fully.
Write your blog when you can, and I will gladly read with relish. And know that I’m cheering you on in your career as a novelist. You will be fabulous!
love to you!
Kirie
Worst first draft ever? You obviously didn’t read mine. But don’t worry, you’ll be constantly tweaking the damn thing until you go insane and want to burn your unfinished manuscript in a conflagration worthy of Dante. But then a most wonderful sentence will pop in your head and you’ll be rejuvenated and this terrible cosmic tease will cycle over and over, but it’ll be worth it.
Just don’t cut back to one post a week because then I’ll start leaving comments describing last night’s Cavs game, and you don’t want that.
Oh it is a grand plan, even though I shall miss you terribly as you are the first thing I look for on the computer in the morning (how sad is that) but it will be worth it in the long run.
I understand about internet addiction and I seem to get myself into an all or nothing kind of cycle and am trying to find a manageable place somewhere in between.
I think you would be a wonderful novelist. Good luck! Just don’t disappear completely, please!
I think anyone submitting anything to a publisher is considerably brave. I do not possess such bravery.
Carry on brave Belette!
Have you read “Bird by Bird”? I especially liked the chapter on “Shitty First Drafts”.
Also, another writer gave me this sage bit of advice, you can take it or leave it, but she said: always stop writing right in the middle of a scene. Right in the thick of it. That way, you know where you’re going when you pick the story up again the next day…
Not that I’m writing anything though myself… I sort of got distracted from my little story a couple of months ago… Bad Jenny!
Sounds like a good plan, and that you’re setting some needed boundaries. I’m am certain your novel will NOT be crap, but I understand it’s important to “give yourself permission to do something badly” as they say in The Artist’s Way. I’m still visualizing you sitting on Oprah’s couch as she promotes your book, whatever form it takes.
How appropraite that when I began reading your blog just now on my iTouch the song Thank You by Dido came on. Your words are music to my ears. I am so excited that you have decided to write a novel.
I totally understand about the blogging, I am selfishly sad that I will only see you in my reader three times a week however the payoff later on down the line with be much sweeter with the novel in my hands.
I understand the internet and blog addiction, yes, I am knee deep in it. For some reason I just can’t seem to walk away.
I wish you the best of luck, I know what ever you put to paper will be fantastic, and I can’t tell you how much I look forward to reading your work.
Non, we will not disappear, or love you less…. I (and I think I speak for many of us followers) are interested in you, your writing, your successes (and oui, the not-so-successes) because we care…about you.
Go, find your bliss…we will avidly follow and support. and nudge. and help, when asked. And cheer you along…and remain a very important part of your life…. You need us, but I think we need you, too….. After all, co-dependency…is “co!” It goes both ways…! We’re here for ya!
I think that’s a good idea and so does mum, it would be selfish of anyone to say it wasn’t. Writing a novel sounds like a huge task, so dealing with it a bit at a time sounds better. Wish I could write a novel, but my attention span isn’t much better than a goldfish’s and a post on my blog a few times a week is all I can do. Keep us posted (ha ha) xxx
Julianne: I will still be here three days a week, so I am just going from full time to part time. I am not quitting. THink of it as a pregnancy leave. I am off to birth something but I feel sure I will soon be back to full time.
Of course I will be commenting on your blog. I am not quitting commenting( never). I am just quitting commenting 5-6 days a week.
I really feel as if you are a sister blogger. I am so happy I could be helpful when you started out and that you convinced me to return and to write what I want.
I sometimes think that if I saw the actual number of how much time I spent on-line in the last couple of years that it might be so shocking that I would turn of my DSL. I don’t want to so that so best I don’t know the number. Internet, as you know, is a time sucker.
Anna Lefler posts 2xs a week and she has a huge following. So, I think consistency is more important than frequency. I could be wrong. Time will tell.
Thank you for your real and palpable support. I am glad you aren’t going anywhere. I would really miss you.xo
A Woman Of No Importance: I am happy that my cutting down to three days a week doesn’t have you running.
That is really good advice. I think that there are lots of me and lots of stories that are not going into this first book.
Thank you for the luck, love, advice and for sticking around.xo
This is exactly what you need to do!
signed: write a 1000 words a day since 1999.
Vicki Archer: It was so interesting to read your post yesterday knowing my plan. Yesterday two bloggers I really care about also put up a “I am on indefinite break” posts. I felt sad not knowing when they will be back. Over time you really start to care and feel as if you get to know a blogger that when they go away you really miss them. For me, I get so much out of blogging and the real friendships and community that is here in the blogosphere that I don’t think I could quit. But, I do think that I need to spend some more time on things that also really matter to me.
Thank you, Vicky, for understanding and encouraging me in my jump into fiction. I don’t think if I didn’t have all the amazing support I got here that I would dare try it.
xo
notSupermum:Thank you. It is very nice that even cutting down just two days a week that I will be missed. Happy to know that you will buy my crappy novel. xo
Kirie: Really? I am a bit scared. I am scared to really commit to the novel and scared of cutting down the blogging. I have been doing 5 days a week of blogging since I started. I don’t know where I got it into my had that I had to do it that way but I did and I have and now I am not.
3 days a week seems totally manageable and still there is plenty of time for writing and maybe ever more time for Lily.;-)
Thank you so much for your endless encouragement. I don’t know how I could have gotten through the hurt of the rejection without your real friendship.xo
I always think the less time spent online, the better. The Internet can be such a life-suck — not just a time-suck but a life-suck. And that sucks! I’ve been making a very concerted effort the last several months to minimize my online time and do more cooking, knitting, sewing, and goofing off instead. So far, so good.
I’ve been reading Carolyn See’s book this week as well, and will be buying nice, plain stationery later today to write my first “charming note” (to Tom Wolfe, whose mailing address I have already found).
The other book I’ve read is the fabulous “French Women Don’t Sleep Alone,” which arrived in my mailbox yesterday. Thank you so much! I love it, and have learned a few things that surprised me. I’d put it in the top three or so of those French chic/French lifestyle books I love so much. Very fun stuff! So merci, merci, merci!
(And Jamie is already on my “charming note” list for the future.)
xoxo –
M.
200 blogs a day is not going to support writing a novel, period. It is a life in itself, or perhaps a grand diversion. Good luck writing, and I look forward to reading your occasional posts.
Randal: If I could write one sentence like you I can assure you that would make it a non-suck first draft. But, alas, I don’t have it in me to write like you.
Thank you, you have motivated me to keep up three posts a week. I can’t endure sports comments showing up on my blog. Ooh, cooties!;-)
xo
Write write write. And if it's crap, write MORE crap. Because one man's crap is another man's gold. And it doesn't even matter: write it, finish it, and say "I have finished a book." That's what I did. It rocks
And I don't care if someone thinks it's crap. I f*&%in' did it
)
You go girl. And tell me whenever you want inspiration, I'll give it to you in droves….
) xoxoxoxo
Mardel: I am very honoured that I am the first thing you read. That is quite a compliment.
I think it is very hard to achieve balance with the internet. I don’t know many people who have done it. But we can. Can’t we ?;-)
Thank you, Mardel, for your encouragement. I feel like I really need to commit to trying to write the novel. It may be crap and it may go totally unread by anyone but me—but I feel like I need to really try and see what happens.xo
Comedy Goddess: What some call brave others call dim-witted. I prefer those who call it brave.xo
Mrs C : “Bird by Bird” is one of my three favorite books on writing. Her “Shitty First Drafts”set me free.
I have written about 100 fragments for the book that are prompts to start writing. I think it will be very helpful to have that when I think I have nowhere to start.
ANd, hey, get back to your story!!
I’m hearing that old song “Don’t you forget about me” playing in my head. I support your decision and am looking forward to reading your crap novel.
I completely support this plan. It is sound and exciting and important. You’re going to learn so much about yourself tackling some fiction, and grow as a writer, and feel even more confident and fulfilled … I can just tell. Best wishes, lady. Weasel on!
Deja Pseu:Bloggers like you with jobs and kids that mange to blog 5-6 days a week amaze me. What is your secret?
If I had any expectation of the novel being any good I would get so blocked that I couldn’t write anything.
Please keep holding that visualization!!!It is a great one.xo
Your plan sounds excellent. I love your blog and you’ll not be losing this fan. I am excited that you are working on a novel and it feels even better to know that you are using your time on a novel. Love the thousand words a day part, too. Am excited for you, Belette!
I will miss your comments, but I’m very pleased to hear of your decision. Just announcing it and setting up a framework to work towards it is an important step toward completing that novel and eventually having it published. As a fellow blogger who doesn’t post nearly as often nor visit even a fraction of the blogs you do, nor comment nearly as faithfully and thoughtfully and wittily, I know how many hours you must spend doing this — and it’s not just the hours, it’s the creative energy. Direct that towards your own novel and watch the pages pile up — we’re waiting to read them.
It is a plan, and it sounds to me like a sound plan.
I too would hapily sit here and read 100′s of blogs and I have a backlog of about 10 posts, but, and it’s a big but, I work, there i’ve said it, and like it or not it takes up a lot of time. I think by compartmentalising your blog from your book you will learn to see that whilst they can feed into each other that writing is work, and requires time and emotional energy. By limiting your posts you will have hopefully enough of both left to write a great book. Hell I would read one of your ‘crap’ books as would we all.
So good luck!
Hey, hang in there – keep writing, there are more bits of books being written in this house – than you would care to know about! Most of course, don’t include me – so I’m not stressed about their non completion. But keep at it!
I think it’s a good plan — if it works for you. Some people work steadily, some in bursts. Try this but don’t beat yourself up if instead of writing a 1,000 words a day, you decided to write 7,000 every 10 days and blog the other days. Know what I mean? Some people get very productive within narrow confines and others don’t, and you should do what works for you personally and not what works for other people.
Go girl, I can’t tell you how much pleasure I have got from reading Tales of La Belette and the graceful comments you have left chez moi.
I love checking in to you everyday but I’m sure I can wean myself off my daily dose.
Please be sure to tell us when your novel is published as I am sure it will be.
Courage ma grande!
I am so excited for you with your plan – seriously, you are a brave, wise, talented woman. I look forward to hearing about the process. Again, you inspire me.
I will look forward to my Monday, Wednesday, Fridays, knowing that I get to read new posts here. Thank you for your support on my blog – it means more to me than I can express to you.
TopSurf: You are so kind and such a dear. I am so touched and emboldened by everyones support and encouragement. Thank you!!
I really don’t know how often the average blogger blogs. Do you? I think my average is 5.9x’s a week. It will feel strange to cut that down but I feel like in order to really try to write this book I have to have more time and energy for it.
Giggles: Ugg( lump in throat), I am really and truly touched. I feel the same way about you. It is just such an amazing thing about how much you grow to care for someone you have never met. Isn’t it? I am constantly amazed by blogging.
Thanks for being a part of my “co”.
xo
Henry the Dog: Thanks to you and to your Mum. Of course you could write a novel( meant for both Mum and Henry) you just have to break it down to tiny bits, even goldfish size bits would do. I don’t think I realized you just posted a couple of times a week. That is good to know. Many blogs that I follow post even less and that hasn’t stopped me from showing up every time they do. xo
Corine: How do you do it all? Blog, kids, fiction,husband, and being so impossibly glamorous( yes you are!!!)? You amaze me.:-)
xo
I’m interested to see how this new plan works out.
I’m in favor of any decision that makes you happy.
Marsi: The internet is a life suck. I go to my computer the very moment I wake up and the last thing I do before I go to sleep is to review the blog post and then check emails. It is a little much.
I hope you are loving Carolyn See as much as I do. Her book on writing is, I think, a must for every writer. I am obviously a huge fan. Truly, her book has changed my life and the way I think about how one creates a literary life.
You are most welcome. I am so happy you are loving Jamie’s book. It is a classic. I know Jamie would LOVE-LOVE-LOVE it if you would write a review on Amazon.com of her book. It is on my list of things to do. I really do believe that of the French Chic genre Jamie’s book is going to be a classic and a must read for every French chic gal.
xo
Duchesse: There are days I go well over 200 and I can tell you it is not supportive of novel writing or of a life. I sometimes wonder if the reason Lily chews my MAC cord is n hopes that I will spend less time with it( yes, I know I am anthropomorphizing her animal instincts to chew).
Merci!:-)
xo
Braja: Good advice from a very well represented writer who is selling her book internationally!!! No one thinks your book is crap or you wouldn’t have sold it already in three markets. You, my enlightened friend, are my hero.
And, yes, I say yes to your offer of droves inspiration. Send it right over.xo
KT: I won’t forget about you. So, please, don’t you forget about me.;-)
Thanks, I promise that it will be the crappiest novel you have ever read. Gosh it makes it seem so much more doable when I promise nothing but crap.;-)
Sal: Thank you. I was just saying to Igor yesterday that I feel nervous about what is going to come up because of writing the novel. I feel sure that it will allow me to be more honest than even non-fiction and that is strangely frightening.
LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the phrase you just coined. “Weasel on!” Thanks for that. Yes, I will weasel on.xo
Frenchee le Trip:Did you see I gave you an award the other day? Bad me did not let you know. Sorry for that.
Thank you so much. I am happy to know that I will not be losing you as a reader or as a friend. It does feel like taking the time for the novel is important for me personally, creatively and maybe even professionally.Thanks again.xo
Materfamilias: I will still be commenting just not everyday. I think I was concerned that somehow it sent a message of lack of interest, or selfishness or I don;t know what…But it took a long time for me to dare this even though I could feel the need for it for a long time.
I do feel that all of that creative energy I put out does impact how much creative energy I have and I have to admit that I am starting to feel depleted. I think so often of your badge “blogging without expectations” it is not easy for me to accomplish that ideal and yet it is something I think about so often.
xo
indigo16:as nervous as I am about trying to write fiction and about committing to it publicly I have to say that I feel more organized, relaxed and somehow relieved by the plan.
You make a really good point about the impact of compartmentalising my blog from my book. Thank you and thank you for your willingness to read my crap book once it is done. xo
Blogdog: With enough bits and fragments and time the pieces will come together, that is as long as you don’t eat your person’s manuscript. just last night Lily was munching on some of my notes. Tell me, do novels taste better than non-fiction?;-)
xo
Oh dear
I think I might have meant ‘gracious’ comments but no doubt you are v. graceful too.
WendyB: You really got me inspired and thinking that the T.W. Igor had real potential for a novel. Thank you for that Wendy. You really are such an amazingly generous blogger and friend.
I am going to try and be flexible about the writing and if I can’t write on a given day I know that I can almost always come up with 1000 words of notes, ideas and free-associations that might make it into the book.
Structure does seem to help me. I think that when I started blogging and I told myself I will blog M-F I did it. If I told myself I will blog whenever that I wouldn’t likely have lasted as long as I have.
Thanks again, Wendy.xo
twin palms road: Thank you so much. I am so honoured and pleased that you enjoy my blog. It really and truly means a lot to me.
I will still be here every M-W-F and I hope you will be too.
Wild horses could not stop me from telling you if my novel was published.;-)
xo
p.s. I happily accept either compliment, gracious or graceful. Merci!
Good plan “1000 words of notes, ideas and free-associations” — that’s always very helpful too.
Sara: First, I have to say that I love your blog and you writing and I am so over the moon happy for you about your publication. Congrats to you!! I understand, obviously, the need for blogging breaks so other projects can be tended to. That said, I will miss your regular posts.
Thank you so much for your very kind compliments.I am truly happy if I have in anyway inspired you. That is quite a compliment.
xo
Enc: Now that I am cutting down perhaps you will come back to blogging just on Tuesdays and Thursdays?;-) Your blog is missed by me and others.
Thank you. I do feel happy with this decision if somewhat nervous.xo
Wendy: I think I just need to show up everyday to the project and whether that is writing, editing or whatever—I just need to tend to it like you would a plant. No tending and you soon have a dead plant( hence the reason I have no plants.;-)
xo
I can’t wait to read your novel. I hope you like my photofiction.
I think thats a great idea. I have reduced the amount that I post and am feeling far more in touch with things other than just my keyboard.
I was putting many things off so that I could read blogs and write on my own.
Now I just write and post when I want and what I want.
But you already know all this as we have chatted about it all. xoxo
Hi Friend.. Interesting post.. Nice cool blog.. Keep up the good work.. Do visit my blog and post your comments.. Take care mate.. Cheers!!!
You are so amazing and honest, LBR. I so appreciate your perseverance in the face of obstacles . . . good things are surely coming your way, so keep at it!!
xoxox,
CC
As someone with a novel-in-progress, I treat blogging as a reward, ie if I get 3 pages written (12 font, no larger!) then I get to blog and at the end of each chapter I treat myself to a new article of clothing or pair of shoes! But, sometimes, when I am down and not feeling very literary-like (!!) I also tend to click on my internet icon and the rest is…
All the best and you have my utmost support…will still check by often and comment!
Hey what about these HUGELY successful writers who get like 1,100 rejection slips before they hit it?!
What-ie-ho as the Marharana of Udaipore said…
you are making clear and perfect sense to me….I have already, in the too short time I have known you, realized and wondered how you do all this!! I am lucky to get 3 or 4 posts a week up and one of them is simply my wordless wed. photo!! so nay, you are not slacking if I’m not and I certainly am not slacking, so there you go woman, you get to that novel and that walk with lily and planning your oooo lala trip and we will all be here, waiting with baited breath for your words, bloggie types or novel types or whatever types….we love you, dearie!
you have inspired me to look at my own ways a bit and the time I spend staring at my screen reading blogs with the occasional comment….I could be doing so much more than that, right? right!
you go, girl!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo, these are for lily too.
I believe you and I have had a conversation before about how overwhelming it can be-especially the clogged reader-when I got back from Costa Rica I had 453 posts to read and I was only gone for five days!
I think it’s a brilliant plan!
Blogging can become so all-consuming, not to mention keeping up with all the other great blogs and commenting, but I think limiting your Internet time and actually writing is the best idea for you (if not us).
I am totally 100% addicted to blogs, but it’s still super good for me to take a week off once in a while. I get so much done and actually get dressed nicer in the morning, I have so much more time! And I look forward to your posts (particularly all the Paris plans!) and will continue to read faithfully no matter the frequency or commenting.
Wow how exciting – a novel – that’s so great. And what is even more great is that you’ve decided in only 2 weeks not to give it all up but in fact move forward Igor/Lily therapy must be working!
I assume you’ll be writing some genre fiction – maybe a little world of warcraft type fantasy novel?
I don’t know how you read and comment on 200 blogs a day – that’s INSANE – I can barely get through about 10 – and even then not every day. I find posting 2-3 times a week pretty much all that I have time for – blogging takes up time – much as I love it, have to work and take some time out to care for my kids and walk the dogs.
I appreciate the time you’ve taken to read my blog, I shall not be expecting comments (though of course if you’d ocassionally like to come by and make one I’ll jump for joy).
So girl, with the new notebook – GO FOR IT!
love hugs and kisses and pbc!
good luck with your new endeavor. I think your blog will be even better with a consistent 3/week posting schedule. Not that I don’t love what you’re doing now, but face it, everyone has days when they post because they have to and they don’t necessarily have anything to say.
Writing on a larger project has to be a good thing, so matter what comes at the end. It’s about process not just product.
i say do what motivates you, and use the blogging lifestyle not so much as a time sink, but as another muse of sorts, for encouragement and inspiration {after all you never know what will inspire you next} i know i’m new at the whole blogging thing, but so far it’s the community and generosity that have struck me most, and i think that will always be here when you need it…and likewise, you will always be here when we need it! isn’t it wonderful to have such a growing and supportive community of creative and thoughtful writers……
your new organized life schedule sure could do me a world of good, perhaps i will have to start contemplating one of my own.
en tout cas.. courage, bonne chance et a tres bientot!! bisous, chantal
I read your post on rejection and felt for you. Finding an agent is like finding a husband – and you don’t marry the first man that comes along do you? Some good advice is to send it out to 10 agents to start with and for every rejection you get hell, send out five more. That way, you’re not pinning your hopes on one person. It only takes one person to fall in love with your work to get an agent, and the more you send it to, the more likely that is going to happen. It is about finding a perfect match, much like a marriage.
Unfortunately, once you get that magic agent, the rejection doesn’t stop! They then send it out to publishers who reject you until one falls in love and then you have a publisher. Oh no, then you have reviews to deal with and some people aren’t going to like your book!
Hang in there. Good luck with the novel. I imagine the pain was intensified by the fact that you have written a book about a subject that has caused you immense pain, so it is very personal. Please keep trying.
Another thing to remember is that if you are really serious about writing, rejection and critique all actually help in the road to becoming a better writer. My first novel was rejected and so I wrote another, better one, and I am now so glad that that one never saw the light of day.
Rachael
I will definitely miss your (100% wise) comments on my blog, and daily posts. But it’s better than not posting at all, a notion which horrified me as I read it.
But I also am so excited about what I am sure will be a wonderful novel, that I can forgive all that.
Oh, and in response to your beautiful comment on my blog: how does anyone learn life lessons? Through living, loving, laughing and reading a great deal xx
Your cutting down on blogging doesn’t really work for me, but you do what you gotta do.
Good news about the novel, though. One foot in front of the other…
Pearl
YES!
I think this is a FAB plan, a great idea all around. And I know a little of how you feel about cutting back on the blog activities — I’ve been writing too and it’s hard to keep up with daily life, blogging and then writing my 1000 words (yup, I bought the book and have been doing my grand each day, thanks to you!!!)
Anyway, I think your plan is terrific and I’d imagine a fictional account might give you more opportunities and hold less limits in telling your story. For that’s what you are, fundamentally, a story teller. Whether it’s made up or the cold hard truth it’s till your story and I know, oh I sooooo KNOW you have a GREAT one to tell.
So now go tell it
Good luck with the writing, Belette! Your plan sounds very reasonable. We’ll miss you, but we know you’re being productive. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Your plan is genius! So well considered. Seriously, I know you don’t have time to add more blogs to the mix but, one of my fave bloggers (Andrea at A Cat of Impossible Colour) is on the same path (just a little farther along) and I’m sure her blog posts about her writing could be just the thing for you.
Don’t you worry a bit about not commenting on my blog. I’m thrilled you’re giving yourself so much license to succeed. Your friends will all be here to share your happiness when you have the finished product! Koxox
How interesting. I have nowhere the number of readers, and spend considerably less time blogging (though I read far too many and know I could easily spend way more time here if I weren’t disciplined at the moment) yet I do understand. In fact I was thinking about a post about not posting (go figure!) when I read first Vicki’s, and then your post. I wrote her a long comment about my on/off need to just hit the delete button when I feel overwhelmed and obligated. (It’s also very much related, like you, I think, to my frame of mind).
I’m sorry about the rejections of your I word book. Perhaps the time is just not right for you. I am interested to see where you fiction goes. Perhaps the other book was research for the novel? I’ve found a lot of research I did has found it’s way into my novel without planning it that way.
Now, stop reading this drivel and get on woith your thousand words!
But first: I never did tell you I really like that CS book. I found it really useful to help give me a shove in the ‘refocus’ direction. I liked the idea of writing letters each day, and even tried it, but frankly found it to be like blogging—another bloody means of procrastination in order to do the real work of writing. But, I can see for some, that it would work.
I usually read all, or almost all, the comments left before leaving one myself. Since I often arrive late to the show you can well imagine how long I spend. Not this time, though, except I couldn’t help but read what Julianne said because she’s right here next to me
I agree with her. I deliberately keep my blog small and post only a couple of times a week simply because of the addictive nature of the game. I don’t know how you’ve managed to do what you do. I’ve seen your carefully thought out comments on blog posts other than mine and have marveled at your will power.
Write your novel and take your time doing it. I know there’ll be days when more than a thousand words are waiting to spill out and others when you’ll have difficulty with a hundred but stay with it. I think your plan of three posts a week sounds fine. Visit when you can
Now why hasn’t Paul Krugman answered the last comment I left on his blog?
I come by your blog regularly this past week, this done in between multi-tasking in the office (reason for ‘netescapade’ – that’s how much I can’t live without reading my fav blogs) but I’m sorry I hadn’t commented. If you don’t mind I’ll roll every comment I intend to make in this one post.
1. Thanks for considering me a sis. I hope you accept my heartfelt gratitude as a return (cheap, huh?). I’ll make a post as soonest as I get a chance.
2. I thought I was excited when I read you’d be going to French Laundry, but whoaaah, you blew me away with the mere mentioning of a Paris trip!!!
3. April is a good month for an occasion – your anniversary, my birthday! And I’ll be in Bali this year to celebrate. Woohoo!!
4. I drooled at your choice of hotels.
5. The daddy-dog-aughter pics are lovely. Lily is super cute, He-Weasel’s a dashing young man! Nothing beats daddy-daughter pics and moments such as those.
6. Have I ever mentioned you’re a lucky, lucky girl to have a husband such as yours?
7. Even a luckier girl to have wonderful and generous friends!
8. The Luckiest Girl award goes to, hands down, Lily. Sorry pal, I love ya, but you ain’t gettin’ this one.
9. I think you CAN be a good fiction writer. Write about Lily! Everyone loves Lily! Hey you can even write children stories. Children and dogs go hand in hand. Throw in your magnificent poems, heck I’ll even give you permission to use the Weasel poem I wrote about you, heheheeee. Yes I know I’m being crazy, I just had a truckload of I-Scream and pralines!
10. Your readers are not going anywhere even if you decide to post once a month. Remember the time-off you took last year? Your readers multiplied hundredfold. The number of comments you get, my! I’d consider it an accomplishment if I am on the top 10!
Ruby, all the best in fiction writing. YAY!!!
Love,
Lynn
I think it’s an excellent, exciting plan! Cheers to you.
Take care and sending all good wishes and a big long-distance hug your way.
Well you know I’m actually quite good and have never eaten any paper in this house!! Don’t think ‘she who must be obeyed’ would tolerate it! However, I have nicked some organic just grilled salmon fillets off the pan – well, I was just a week in the house! That didn’t go down well – neither did the stealing of the French smelly cheeses off the cheeseboard – just as SHE went to the front door! But hey, I was only new the house and I just love cheese. Parmesan is my favourite treat now – can’t stand doggie biscuits!!
Anyway, we’re just off to a rugby match – Ireland vs England so should be getting brushed for that and not sitting in front of the computer! Cheers – have a good weekend!
Well I am glad to hear you are not taking your blog down as it was pretty stressful to a lot of us when you did it last year! We missed you a lot! But I understand the internet addiction..I spend too much time on it reading blogs and the like and need to get busy doing a lot of real life stuff, like you writing your novel, for me, cleaning my house top to bottom would be a good start…!
Good idea – conserve your energy and time for your own goals. The internet is an addiction. We will await your magnum opus, and hope for the occasional photo of sweet wee Lily when you can spare them.
Hello! Thanks for your comment on my latest post, I appreciate it greatly.
I just thought I would stop by and give you the code for the Amazing Word-count Widget of Greatness that I use, but it won’t let me post it in a comment – my email address is andrea[dot]eames[at]gmail[dot]com. If you wouldn’t mind sending me a quick email with your address, I’ll give you the code. 
Gives a great sense of achievement as you update it at the end of the day!
Andrea xx
Fear not, life is unfolding as it is meant to.
Obviously (I’ve only just met you.) you are …an amazingly gifted author …we are all very blessed to have snippets without even needing to buy a book.
But we would …buy one.
I await news of the first copy.
I wonder if I should fly up there for a book signing.
I can see it now.
See it yourself ……that’s it ..
in your mind’s eye.
Hey Presto. It will happen.
Sarah
We always like to have a plan so there is something from which we can deviate, although it is our sense that you are far, far more disciplined than we, and there will be minimal (if any) deviation from said plan. Unless it is Lily-inspired, as she far transcends anything so linear as planning.
It does sound as though you are exceptionally focused Miss LBR, and we are so happy for you; we *totally* understand the giant sucking sound that is the blog and perhaps more importantly, the commenting. You are a fabulous commenter, and we hope you know you remain a favorite regardless of how many, or how few, the comments are.
We only want peace of mind and something resembling happiness for you, your he-weasel and Miss Lily. That’s all that really matters. Comments, scha-ments, you need never (ever-ever-ever) worry about us being a Comment Monitor, we know they exist and we ain’t that. (Grammar?)
So we send you a big hug, lots of smiles and even more good thoughts, and we’ll be back again on Monday to catch up!
tp
Good luck! Although I will miss your daily posts…still, one must suffer for art, right?
LIBERTY POST EDITOR: I do like your photofiction. Thanks for mentioning it.You really surprised me with that ending!xo
So Lovely: 3 days feels so much more manageable than 5 days. I don’t think I could write a novel and do as much blogging as I do.
xo
Ocean: Thank you so much for stopping by. Lovely to meet you.xo
Couture Carrie:I so appreciate your belief in me. You amaze me with your daily fashion posts. I don’t know how you find all the images. You are so good!
xo
Mervat: I really like the way you do it. Blogging as a reward. That is good. I think I am going to reward myself with shoes for ever 20,000 words. Thanks, Mervat. Really good ideas.
xo
ParisBreakfasts: 1100 rejection slips. Gosh. I wish I had that kind of perseverance and endurance.
Linda: I think my secret is that I don’t do much but write, write my blog, read blogs, write comments, play with Lily, eat and sleep.
Thank you, I would hate to lose you. And, I am so happy to have made you think about how you spend your time. I vote for more painting and more time with your Lily.
xo
Derfina:453 posts to read after five days. That is too much to deal with.xo
Iheartfashion:Thank you. I love blogging and I really do get so much out of it that it is a loss to stay off-line two days a week.
xo
Andromeda:When I started blogging I read only two. I didn’t even comment. I think I spent 15 min. a day blogging. Now, it can take me 8 hours to read, write and comment.
I am so happy you aren’t going anywhere. Paris plans are one of my favorite things to write about, that and Lily!;-)
xo
Imogen Lamport: Igor and Lily are working. Also, I learned a lot from the rejection. I feel like it clarified a lot of things for me.
How did you know???? You so pegged me with the genre. Uh, what is Warcraft?
Yes, it is INSANE. It is too much. But, I assure you that on my 3 days in the blogosphere I will be visiting and commenting on your blog. I learn so much from you and I enjoy your posts and I want you to know it.
xo
Nancy:I like how you think. I hope that my new schedule improves the blog. I do think I will have more time to do things which will give me more to write about.
xo
Chantal:I get so much out of blogging. I have developed discipline, a stronger voice as a writer and an incredible community and wonderful friends. I couldn’t agree with you more. The blogging community is such a generous one. I am endlessly amazed.
I will be here and I will be at your blog. I am not going anywhere( except on Tuesday and Thursday;-)xo
Rachael: Thank you so much for coming over to my blog. I am honoured you came by and left such a generous and encouraging comment.
Really great advice. I think it is best to send out a lot and not expect to find love, I mean an agent, the first time. And, I really love what you said about it only takes one agent to fall in love your work. Brilliant. That is such a helpful idea. Thank you.
You really got it about why the rejection was so painful.
I will keep trying. I cannot thank you enough for your wonderful advice and encouragement.
And, ugh, if my first novel was published I would change my name, identity and move to another country.
xo
Pretty face: NO you won’t, I’ll be there a lot. I am just not going to be there five days a week. But, be sure, I will be there and leaving as wise as a comment as I can imagine.
xo
Pearl: Thank you, I have been waiting for somebody to say it!;-)
…and soon I’ll be walking cross the floor.;-)
xo
Kayleigh: Enough about me. I am soooooo excited you got the book and are doing your grand a day. I would love to hear more about how it is going for you. Please write about it on your blog or here or in an email. I would love to hear.
I do feel so liberated. I feel like I can be more honest in fiction. I am really excited, nervous and curios about what will unfold.
Thank you for that wonderful feedback. You are a sweetheart.xo
Kitten: Thank you~ I’ll be here so much you won’t even notice I’ve cut down to three days a week.;-)
xo
K.Line: Genius? Why thank you.!I have already added Andrea’s blog to my list of must-reads. I feel like I can learn a lot from her.
And, hey, you aren’t getting me or my comments that easy. I will be commenting on your blog. I love your blog and I have to tell you how smart, beautiful, what a great writer you are, and how you inspire me to eat better and what great taste you have( well you do).:-)
xo
Michelle: I don’t know if you saw my comment to Materfamilias but she has a badge on her blog ‘Blogging without obligation”. I did that to begin with but soon obligation that only I set up started to sneak in. Nobody told me I had to write five posts a week and read 200 blogs. When I knew I needed to cut back so I could really seriously focus on my writing I started to really feel like I couldn’t do that which is just silliness.
I heard a lot of feedback from those in the know that the ‘I” word material was highly sellable but to be honest I really wanted to write something else and now I am and I feel like I have lost 20 pounds( if only;-).
I am so glad you like CS book. I think it is really inspiring. Now, Carolyn is not going to like me saying this and I am sure she will tell me so but I am not doing daily letters. Maybe once a week. But, I will not do it daily. Nope. I feel like it would feel like a drain and stop me from writing and that is unacceptable.
xo
honestly, based on what i had read on your blog, in terms of your style and your story, when you first told me that you were writing a book, i just assumed it was a novel. this makes a lot of sense. i know there is a great story there and i know you can write, so this … well, i don’t want to pressure you. i completely understand the need to call it a crappy draft, etc. and i also know that the finished book will be… well, i don’t want to spoil the ending.
Susan:Golly, you could have spent an hour going through all of these comments. Couldn’t you have? Let me paraphrase and tell you everyone is saying it is okay to cut down to three times and that many readers would be willing to read my crap fiction and they also said many nice things.
And, I have to tell you that there are probably 3000 wonderful blogs to read and if I had enough hours in the day I might read them all but I don’t and I don’t want to spend my entire life blogging. But, I do have so many lovely blogger friends and I love to see what they are up to and what they are thinking and doing.
Hmm… I suppose Paul is off writing a book.;-)
xo
Lynn: I am so happy to see you whenever I do. It is amazing how blogs become a part of our life. Every now and then He-weasel will ask, “How is your friend in Malasia? Any news on her cat?” I haven’t met 10% of my readers but I really do care about all of them.
I do not mind at all your cumulative comment.:-)
1. I do consider you a sis and I am happy that I might inspire you to post.:-)
2. Paris has to be better than French Laundry. Doesn’t it?
3. Bali???? Le swoon. Lucky girl.
4. Maybe someday we can afford the George V.;-)
5. Thanks for seeing the cuteness and darlingness of my little family. I love them much.
6. You are also a very lucky girl.
7. Of which you are one and yes I am lucky.
8. I think I am luckier. I get to love her.
9. I-Scream and pralines? And, you aren’t sharing?
10. So are you saying that if I write less I will have more readers? If you aren’t saying that then say that as it will make me feel better about cutting down.;-)
xo
Ruby:-)
Carolyn: Thank you for the hugs and good wishes. I need them both!
xo
Blogdog: Ooh, you and Lily have a lot in common. Lily LOVES cheese. She will do anything for it including drop my notebook that she is eating!
I use string cheese for training and Lily is mad for it. But, I had some really good cheese from Whole Foods( $14 a pound) and I gave my puppy a little piece just to see if she liked it and she scarfed it up.
Have you had the French dog biscuits from Harriet’s bakery? I wonder if you’d like those?
I hope Ireland won the rugby match( I am an Irish weasel;-).
xo
Kelly: I am happy not to cause stress. I wouldn’t want that. It is so nice that I was missed. I missed you too when I was gone.
And, what is this house cleaning you speak of?
xo
Marla:I have already written my Lily post for Monday and I promise that there is video worth coming back for. Sooooooooo cute!!!!
xo
Andrea: I am so happy K.line told me about your blog and vice versa.
I will absolutely send an email. I would love to have that accountability for word count to show on my blog. Thanks for sharing xo
Sarah Lulu: Thank you so much for coming by. I tried to comment on your blog last week but Blogger was being difficult. Thank you for the amazing compliments and encouragement.
xo
TP:Blogging has made me insanely disciplined. I was disciplined before about somethings but my writing was never one of them. Really, blogging has changed me.
I really enjoy commenting. I so enjoy learning from other bloggers and to share my appreciation and reactions. It really is fun.
I thank you, dear PP, for your understanding and your encouragement and your sincerest wishes. The hugs, smiles, and good thoughts are even better than a 95% off sale at Jcrew.;-)
xo
Jen: Thank you. I hope their isn’t too much suffering on either ends.
xo
editor: I think there was a psychological block about fiction as I wanted my truth to be taken as truth and I somehow thought truth would not be seen if told through fiction. Silly me.
I like your ending.;-)
xo
good for you!!!
Oh, thank you so much for leaving a comment on my little blog! I am honored! I know you have no idea who I am, but I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now. I even worked up the nerve to leave a comment once. You were talking about a bad writing teacher you had once and I was right in the middle of my first semester back and I was also struggling with a crazy,mean,bitter COMP 101 professor.