Writing About Not Writing Without Writing About It

Posted by danleone on July 24th, 2008 filed in blogging, writing

A skill I have mastered over a few years of erratic blogging is to write about not writing. Whenever, I feel like I should be writing my “book” or feel guilty that I am abandoning BoMR (Both of My Readers), I simply start a post about not writing. Then go into painful details about how am really good at thinking about writing, preparing to write, buy really cool writing-related toys, sitting down and not writing.

This post is no different. It is a post about not writing.

I have put down my book recently (did you notice “T”, that I didn’t put quotes around that word this time?). I feel justified in doing so. With all the various stresses in my life and the fact that my dad is a very sick man, I felt that I could not commit myself to write a novel about a man who loses his father. It was simply too painful for me to deal with.

The book hits too close to home.

Over the last few months, I have been doing a lot of procrastinating, more like avoiding my blog and my book. I have poked around and wasted a ton of time on Plurk (that won’t stop!) and found the act of writing greater than 140 characters to be simply more than I can handle at this time in my life.

But, recent events, have made me revisit my book and the story I am hoping to convey. I hope to go into those reasons as soon as I can wrap my head around them.

In the meantime, just know that I will try to update more often and hopefully regain some of my readership that have since jumped ship due to utter boredom.

My words may range from the utter mundane (my kid picked his nose type stuff) to painfully maudlin to sincere expression of the anguish I have been feeling recently.

Whatever the case, look for more of me on your blogs and I hope you will find mine again.

Thank you!

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13 Responses to “Writing About Not Writing Without Writing About It”

  1. paisley Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 7:23 am

    at the risk of appearing cold and unfeeling,, i would suggest you buy a mini recorder,, and speak your feelings and or thoughts into it during the time you are dealing with your fathers illness.. it will not only help you write a more realistic novel when you do get back to serious writing, as it pertains to the subject matter of your book,, but it will be a measuring line to yourself as far as acceptance and growth is concerned.. just my two cents….

    paisley’s last blog post..hard lesson

  2. Lilacspecs Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 8:21 am

    You’re in my Google Reader, so I always know when you start blogging again.

    Lilacspecs’s last blog post..And The Hits Just Kept on Coming

  3. Kristina Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 8:57 pm

    Hello my Friend,
    I will always watch for your thoughts and words. I hope you are doing ok.

    xoxo!!

  4. Deb (Missives From Suburbia) Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 9:10 pm

    “My words may range from the utter mundane (my kid picked his nose type stuff) to painfully maudlin to sincere expression of the anguish I have been feeling recently.”

    Soooo… what you’re saying is that you’re going to rip off my blog?

    Good to see you, darlin’. I missed you.

    Deb (Missives From Suburbia)’s last blog post..Negotiating With God

  5. Ashley Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    Much love and hugs :)

    Ashley’s last blog post..What Dreams May Come…

  6. Chuck Says:
    July 25th, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    Nice to see you moving about Dan. You’re in my reader too so not much of what you post is going to go unnoticed. I always gain something from your insights.

    Chuck’s last blog post..Blame it on the big kids

  7. terri Says:
    July 28th, 2008 at 6:20 am

    So glad you’re back. I wouldn’t miss a word of what you have to say.

    terri’s last blog post..Our transplant story

  8. Ruprecht Says:
    July 28th, 2008 at 10:13 am

    Nice to see an update, dan-o. And a humorous one at that.

    Two fans? Wow. If that’s all, it’s a pleasure to announce that your readership has increased by 50%. Rupe’s in your court, bubba.

    Be well and write on …..

    ……………………………………… Readin’ Rupe

  9. ender Says:
    July 30th, 2008 at 5:10 am

    i know the feeling of being too close to the story to be able to work on it.

    and i’m excited to get more more the dan cafe … i’ve been very much missing your presence. (not that i have been any better about blogging lately)

  10. PG Says:
    July 30th, 2008 at 8:47 am

    as mentioned by others, the power of the feed reader will make sure you will stay on radar even if your postings are few and far between. But the more the merrier as far as I cam concerned.

    PG’s last blog post..On the Soapbox! Tune in Tuesday!

  11. meleah rebeccah Says:
    July 31st, 2008 at 11:20 am

    I am writing my own book that hits way too close to home, however, I am forging ahead with it as painful as it may be. I think I need to face and deal with it, and writing about it sure helps.

    meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..I Am Two.

  12. Steph Says:
    August 3rd, 2008 at 2:47 am

    So you, too, are a master of the art of not writing. I applaud you, sir. Especially since you clearly have a much better reason than I.

    If you think you can bring yourself to pick up the yarn and continue spinning somewhere down the line, I do encourage you to do so. That kind of raw emotion could make for an excellent novel.

    But I most certainly understand if it’s too much. I don’t think I would be able to do it. At least not right away.

    By the way, I found you blog on blogcatalog.com and since I see you’re into writing, I wanted to let you know about a new e-zine that me and a few writer friends are putting together.

    It’s called The Oddville Press.
    http://www.theoddvillepress.com

    You should check us out if you’re interested–it’s free to subscribe, hey! Or better yet, submit something!

    Thanks a bunch and good luck!

    Steph’s last blog post..of eclipses, voyages, and worlds…

  13. Miss Riss Says:
    August 5th, 2008 at 12:16 am

    I think your determination to not rely on auto-verbs on plurk will help you in writing. *snort* As if you didn’t expect THAT from moi.

    Miss Riss’s last blog post..Happy 14th Birthday, Man-cub!

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