As anyone can see by the archives, I have posts going back to 2006. However, the posts were not consistent as to any kind of frequency. While I was working out what I wanted the purpose of the blog to be, I did not do any marketing for the blog. However, it is time for that to change. The posts will still follow the Think On These Things (Phil. 4:8) concept. But the emphasis will be on Christian writing. I will be discussing different aspects of Christian writing. There will also be posts on the writing life or simply pieces of my own writing that I wish to share.
My website, www.danroark.com, I have kept up with since its beginning. Unlike this blog, I was immediately getting hits. But the purpose of the website was clear. Then I began posting on www.neighborsgo.com, both blog posts and articles. All the while I still did not have a clear idea of what this blog was to be. Many of the posts on this blog were similar to what I was writing for the newsletter on my website.
A writer’s online writing presence is a fine balance between marketing writing, and money-making writing. The same applies to a writer’s time. I have been writing for over thirty years. For most of that time, marketing time was relegated to a few hours a day. A writer had to wait for replies by postal service - now referred to as "snail mail." Most of a writer’s day could be spent writing since you had to wait for replies by mail.
In the twenty-four hour day of the present world, writing time is interrupted by emails - among other things - some of which need to be answered as soon as possible. Unfortunately, while waiting for the important emails, your writing is interrupted by useless emails that you delete, but which disturb your train of thought. I have read plenty of articles that simply advised writers to get offline at certain times for writing. But that is quickly becoming a pipe dream.
My wife and I have four children. I am the community reporter for our church and we are all actively involved. A large percentage of my emails are somewhat time sensitive. It is also quicker and easier to eliminate junk email as it comes. As long as you get back to work. It is possible to write and be online most of the time. As in any situation dealing with the conflict between hours in the day and the amount of work to be done, self-control and organization play an important part.
While it is true that you may need the information in an email you are expecting, it is also true that needing the information can lead to an obsession with having to check your email every time the number of emails in your inbox increases. I try to set a goal for myself between email checks. Such as finish the page(s), post, newsletter, or article, etc., I am working on. It is more difficult when you are doing research online and email is just a click away. But holding yourself to short-term goals and checking email at certain times works to accomplish both objectives.
It all comes down to figuring out the schedule that will best accomplish your goals. Then work on the time management necessary to keep to that schedule. Allowing for flexibility when the unexpected occurs - which it can and will. And trusting in the Lord for guidance.
I am still working on my time management and schedule - have been for years. In a future post I will discuss a different type of scheduling conflict. In the meantime, let me know how your writing life is going.
Peace be with you.
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