It’s
customary, if not expected, to discuss resolutions at this time of year. I’ve
learned, however, that my annual desire to alter, change, modify, vary, transform,
amend and/or adjust my behaviour rarely lasts longer than it takes for the ink
to dry on the page.
So this
year I’m doing things a little differently. My top three goals are the same as
they’ve always been--writing more, eating less, and walking daily. But in order
to be successful, I realized I would first have to clean house.
My
virtual house, that is.
I
took inventory at the end of 2011 and was surprised, shocked and even a little
dismayed at how much time I spend online each day. It’s a necessary evil, of
course. As an author I want to promote myself and my books. But after missing a
deadline last year, I came to the conclusion I had to whittle that down to a
more manageable package.
Easier
said than done, you say?
I made
a list of all of the places a reader might expect to find me online. Then I
compiled a list of where I actually am. This includes my website, three blogs,
Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Google+, Goodreads, LinkedIn, Red Room, She Writes,
and many other “writerly” sites and email groups.
Next,
I visited each site. I discovered I’d signed up for some and never returned! The
information was woefully outdated. Of the others I’d frequented, some hardly
seemed worthwhile. They felt like virtual ghost towns. What had once been a
thriving online community was now nothing but a faded memory. And then there were
those places that shall forever remain a mystery. I have no idea or clue what
possessed me to log on and join the party! What was I thinking?!
The
solution? I cut, slashed, edited, revised and deleted. All of the sites I
mentioned above are my ‘keepers’. The excess groups and sites I felt I could
live without are now duly noted and should free up at least a few precious minutes of my time each
day.
Whether
or not this virtual house cleaning translates into more writing and completed books during
2012 remains unseen. But like losing weight and exercising more, I’m going to
give it a try.
Happy
2012!
* * *
Best wishes for 2012.
ReplyDeleteThink I need to do some of that virtual housecleaning myself.
That's why I've limited myself to just blogging and Twitter.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patsy, same to you. Wishing you every success, and of course, happy writing!
ReplyDeleteHi Alex, are you on FB or Google+?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, Anne! I frequent a few sites, but leave it up to my blog to visit the others. Still, it's amazing how much time we spend on marketing. Wishing you a joyous, prosperous 2012!
ReplyDeleteSame to you, Dora! Thanks so much for dropping by. :)
ReplyDeleteAnne, I need to do this too. I've signed up for places I haven't visited since... well, since I signed up. :) This seems like a great way to clean things up for the new year.
ReplyDeleteIt came as a surprise to me, too, Kelly. There are even a few that still make me scratch my head and wonder why.
ReplyDeleteSpending less time online and more time writing is important, but I'm finding there is no easy solution.
I don't have time to figure out how many of these sites work. I have chosen a few to learn the ins and outs on and make them work for me. We shall see....
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your cleaning!
Hi Anne. Love that term "Virtual Housekeeping." I've been doing that too and it feels good. Actually, I'm thinking of going a little further. I have "liked" so many FB pages that those are the only updates I get anymore. I read so many other people's blogs, it feels like a chore and not a joy. I keep starting books and don't finished them because I am online so much. I think I might quit blogging. I am not writing a book or don't need to promote myself in any way, so blogging was more about my own pleasure in writing and sharing. It isn't so much a pleasure anymore. So many people are blogging and it seems like we/they are blogging for other bloggers. It's a blogging community, and while it has been fun, I think it's time I get back into my own real life community.
ReplyDeleteOH, didn't mean to get personal! It's just that your update here resonated with me.
I have met some really great people such as yourself, and will continue to read certain blogs but mostly I am looking forward to letting it all go.
I do some virtual house cleaning from time to time; somehow, it never turns out to be enough, probably because I haven't decided yet what exactly I want online.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Katy. It is time consuming to figure out the various sites. The more complicated ones get left behind because I just don't have the time or the patience. Easy is best, and lately Google+ seems to fit the bill!
ReplyDeleteGet personal all you like, Michael Ann!
ReplyDeleteI think that's one of the things I enjoy most about being online. It gives me, a writer who works alone, an opportunity to chat and socialize.
I also agree about it having to be something you enjoy, however. When anything becomes a chore, it's best to let it slide.
Happy 2012!
Hi Angel (Ivana), it's a constant battle, isn't it?!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post today, btw. Shorter blog posts ARE best. If you have a chance, drop by my Piedmont Island Trilogy blog for more... http://tinyurl.com/89jflfy
Time online really can suck your life away. I like to keep at least a profile page with links to my website on a lot of different sites. Even if I rarely visit at least someone might happen to find me and link elsewhere. My list of more 'active' sites is similar to yours.
ReplyDeleteThat's good advice, Tracy. Failing to promote oneself (even minimally) is suicidal! Thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteVirtual House Cleaning....hmmmm. Time spent in the blog world does take away from real house cleaning too I find. My mother always said, "don't clean all the dirt out of the house at the end of the year because it's good luck to leave some there from one year to the next!" I'm going with that one :). Be careful to not delete too much like I have in the past. I hate that panic feeling! Cheers.
ReplyDeleteHi, Rosella, you know me well enough to know that virtual housecleaning is more my speed than the real thing!
ReplyDeleteLove your mother's take on cleaning, btw!