Shadow of the Hunter

I'm not really sure exactly how many words a picture paints, but our cat Porsha (she was a rescue cat and pre-named, so it isn't our fault) serves as a pretty good illustration. Today's topic is time. And, while it flies like the wind and goes after itself for Cyndi Lauper, it's also a huge consideration for a writer.

When you look closer at all the other activities necessary* to write, it's a wonder we get anything done at all. You need ideas, planning, research, blogging, LinkedIn, Tweeting, Facebooking...well, hang on a minute - that's just it. What is that social media really doing for you? Are you connecting with possible readers, existing readers, your peers or trying to build up your profile? Could it be that time given over to social media is actually time that could be better spent writing?

If you write to earn an income, writing is your product. Without something to sell, all the advertising in the world isn't worth diddlysquat. Our cat who clearly knows how to position herself, even if she's still working on timing understands that.

So speak when you have something to say or when you have a product or service to promote. Or maybe just for the fun of it, when your down time coincides with your urge to communicate. But don't mistake all that hullabaloo for actual writing.

There are only so many hours in the day, so get your priorities right!

* May contain irony.

3 comments:

  1. "What is that social media really doing for you?" A very good point. While many of my readers are fellow writers, it seems that with Twitter in particular, most tweets are from writers begging folks to read their work!

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  2. Hi Milo and thanks for stopping by. I agree that twitter has got a bit shouty! There's also some good banter between a few who comment regularly, and some informative social media links, but it's not a tool I have managed to do business with so far.

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  3. I'm the biggest procrastinator - ever! So I have to avoid social networks, big time! I tried Twitter, but just didn't 'get' it. I tried FB, but felt it was more suited to finding out what people I went to school with were up to, rather than anything work related. I'm on Linkedin and have found that this more suited to work/career issues, but it's still very easy to spend hours reading posts instead of sitting down and actually getting on with writing.

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