Dear Blog,
Today’s the day I muster the courage to confess: I have been cheating on you. You have never been far from my thoughts—in fact, I think of you many times per day, wanting to connect but unsure how to cut through the excuses and get in touch.
You mean so much to me.
‘Tis true that our relationship is still new and fresh but already you have become an invaluable part of my life. Our connection has broadened my world, added meaning and given me space to thrive, explore my playful self and express my vulnerabilities in words. You have introduced me to a vast number of fellow creatives across the globe—writers, photographers, poets and brilliantly-colourful characters. I miss my blogging world.
It’s not you, it’s me.
So, this is the reality–I miss you. My days the last fortnight have either been:
- An exercise in awakening with head buzzing with fresh ideas, then I burn a beeline to my laptop, eager to write some zingy blog post then check in with those blogs I follow and cruise around for others. Do I do it? No. Instead, I descale the kettle, pair up my socks or perform any other procrastination sloggery that distracts me from sitting down and writing a damn post. Then I chastise myself when the sun goes down, slip between sheets with promises I shall rise with birdsong the next morning and embrace my blog. I have been sinking into I-need-to-blog-but-cannot-concentrate quicksand. Sheesh!
- On rare days when my writing brain triumphed over fidgeting body and I sat determined at MacBook, fingers have danced across the keyboard, writing the penultimate chapter of my novel. You see, this is the confession: I have been cheating on you with my novel. You are both lifelines in ‘My Write Life’ but this novel keeps demanding I bring it to the boil, that I set each page alight and give readers a mighty fine page-turner. I am determined to complete this so, until my manuscript nets 100,000 words, you and me and the novel-in-progress must work together as a happy threesome.
Perhaps other bloggers sometimes feel this way?
Life can prove distracting. Procrastination is the devil’s work. Creative inspiration sometimes morphs into an elusive or even absent friend. But do hear me, my lovely blog—you are never far from my mind.
Let’s do lunch soon!
My best to you,
Estella x
P.S. As a writer, I am a perpetual magpie who collects images and ideas then ferrets them away for a day when they require an airing. I saved this brilliant comic by Summer Pierre a couple of years ago—I loved her fine cartooning and how adeptly she captured ‘Things I Think Every Day.’ It resonated with me, this daily cycle of life. Today, Summer’s illustration screams a wake-up call in my direction, an urgency to leap out of the daily slog cycle and write. Check out her fantastic Paper Pencil Life blog.
Estella Lynch 
Enjoyed reading this! I feel like that sometimes so you are not alone. 🙂 I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Check it out. : https://www.livingvsexisting.com/versatile-blogger-award-2/
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Thank you, Cherylene! I’ll look at that versatility award this week, after I’ve finished all the jobs that keep me distracted from blogging! Take care, Estella
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You’re welcome! We look forward to your response. 🙂
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You must have been rummaging around in my “Attic.” This is so me! Well… with the possible exception of the novel bit—but otherwise, you’ve captured me to a tee! 😀
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Virtual simpatico! Delighted to hear I am not alone in my blogging infidelity…or even just perfecting the art of procrastination!
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Not to worry, Estella, I think I was the one who perfected that particular art. For some strange reason, though, I failed to secure a patent for it and procrastination fell into the public domain. 😀
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You would’ve been a billionaire and ruled the world if you had secured that patent…now, where is that silver I need to polish and the freezer needs defrosting…I procrastinate, therefore I am and shall do it tomorrow…
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LOL. 😀
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ah well written .. I never cease to be daunted by all these novels either in the making or actually published … haven’t experienced a creative drought yet but am thinking I maybe following the daily prompts too much and need to start doing my own independent creations again. So you are just buttering us up for the sales pitch?
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Lucky you not to have experienced a creative drought yet…what keeps you inspired and motivated? I think the Daily Prompts are a fantastic nudge to write so if they keep you creative then that’s brilliant! As for my novel, there shall be no buttering up on my blog. I’m not comfortable with such self-promotion but writing it is a significant focus right now so sometimes it will be referenced as part of my life. Would like to read some of your ‘independent creations’ you mention…let me know when they appear on your blog. Thanks for commenting!
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loads there already, feature a few different ones each week so just check my home page. Look forward to hearing more about your novel … too many doing blatant self-promotion, sorry. My motivation /inspiration LIFE! Too much happening, my fingers can’t type fast enough.
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I’ve enjoyed many of your blog posts so check in with your homepage often. I suppose self-promotion may be vital for some writers–it’s just not the function of my blog. This space is like both a writing playground for my ramblings and an oasis where expression is mine to decide how it connects outside my four walls.
Keep writing, keep creative, CalmKate…I look forward to reading more from you about life!
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thanks Estelle, good luck with it all
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Nicely put, Estelle! Sadly, I think the blog gets the lion’s share of attention and my novel is right to feel cross about it…
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Oh, the ceaseless nagging of an unfinished novel, begging us for affection!
You clearly sink so much into your blog, evident by your fine posts. Loved the cat photo post I read yesterday and the Crime Fiction by writers abroad piece was extensive.
And I thought blogging would be a breeze…
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It makes me feel less guilty for not writing on the ‘great’ novel daily, but it’s also a form of procrastination, I do realise.
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I get this push-pull of novel v blog but am trying to suppress my self-critical voice by repeating that all writing is good writing exercise (and repeat)…although I still feel guilt. It’s a no win!
Good luck with all your fine writing, MarinaSofia.
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I can relate, but more in terms of putting off writing than exercise (do that first thing in a.m. or it doesn’t get done).
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I have started to put aside time for exercise and actually feel like I’m being more productive at the writing. But some days I can totally relate to your post!
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Lovely to hear there are other occasionally-distracted writers out there! Delighted to hear you are more productive these days…and thanks for getting in touch. Estella
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Haha! We’ve all been there. Indeed we have.
Kinda reminds me of the preface Kurt Vonnegut wrote in one of his books. He described how he was upbraiding his sister once for not becoming an author also, as he considered her far and away the best writer he knew, himself included. “Having talent doesn’t carry with it the obligation that one has to do anything with it” she replied. (Perhaps not quite verbatim, but close enough.)
Rings true at times I bet, eh?
🙂
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Absolutely rings true.
Gift of a comment from you, thanks–particularly as you dropped in Vonnegut. Seems Kurt’s sister was one wise and talented woman. Obligation, be damned!
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Aw, shucks ma’am. Thanks 🙂
I understand Kurt’s frustration, but I sometimes wonder if deep down he wasn’t secretly relieved that he wasn’t in danger of being upstaged by a sibling. Of course, that could just be me projecting my own insecurities….
🙂
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Bit early in the morning to own your projection of insecurities…I salute you!
I agree that Kurt likely felt he’d dodged a sibling-rivalry bullet there.
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Early in the morning for mere mortals perhaps, but my day starts at 3am. I’ve already been at work for 2 1/2 hours. It’s almost lunch time, woo hoo!
🙂
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3am, ouch!
For some mere mortals, it ain’t ever easy to own projections!
Enjoy your lunch and a chance to put your feet up!
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Lol. I’m on the air. For me, “lunch” is a hurried spoonful or two of gruel between mic breaks. Any putting up of feet is purely metaphorical 🙂
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Gruel and metaphorical foot-resting sounds quite the lush life. Enjoy!
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Hahaha! Very funny!
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