Friday, June 17, 2011

B.I.C.H.O.K-- Butt In Chair Hands on Keyboard

I have fallen and I can't sit down!  B.I.C.H.O.K means Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard to those of you who might not follow the term many of us writers refer to when life gets in the way of writing.  Yes, it's difficult to sit down and write when life is going on around us.  There are a hundred things we need to do, whether it is work a full-time job, tend to family, volunteer in our community, chat on-line, blog . . .

Okay, you get the point! Yes! I've become an on-line junkie!

Recently, trying to put myself out into the 'electronic' world to network among other writers and people in our industry has tied another small knot in my rope of time.  I've found my rope has more and more knots in the 24 hours of length as I add another task to my day. Finding time to sit and work on my novels is less and less.  A few months ago I was writing in my novel every chance I got and I need to find that energy again. 

With the summer months though I have less desire to sit at a keyboard.  I need to move about. But what to do with my writing? Here is what I think I need to do:
  • Sit down early in the morning and pump out at least 1,000 words.
  • When I stop for a brief moment of coffee or that next glass of water (I've been trying for six glasses a day) try and get 500 words.  Even if I only get a chance to do so with 3 glasses of water it's still an extra 1500 words + the 1,000 already=2,500.  Not too shabby for a day.
  • Go over notes in my head (for characters, plot, G/M/C, etc.) when I'm power walking outside or on my treadmill.
Here are some other tips I might follow (since lately my time on-line has been added):
  • Limit my on-line time to a hour a day.(Facebook, Twitter, Blogs I follow, etc.)
  • Only check emails once a day. (Mid-day so any blogs I need to catch in my on-line time, I can.)
  • Blog on my sites twice a month (but check daily for any comments to respond to).
How did we get anything done before the Internet, cellphones and for that fact . . . computers?  Would love to hear any suggestions, comments or just stop in and say hello!

Hugs!

6 comments:

  1. Oh, my internet was down for two hours the other day and I almost died. If you can stick to your plan, you'll be my hero. I'd try to keep pace, but well I wouldn't make it an hour. :)

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  2. Loni, you are my secret twin sister! But I'm the Bad Sister, who breaks all the rules - because those are my rules and I seem to always fail! I'm copying these and bookmarking the blog, and looking forward to see what comes of our efforts by summer's end!

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  3. Go, Loni, go! You've got enough energy for three writers. Remember good posture while you're writing so you don't get a pinched nerve. :)

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  4. Hi all!
    Thanks for stopping by!

    @Avery--Went a whole day Tuesday without getting on computer. Didn't feel the same. Will try to work more on book/less on other things.

    @Susan--Yea Twins! (Poor Girl) Though I enjoy breaking the rules sometimes too (besides, they're more or less guidelines.) LOL

    @Joya--Great advice! We get so busy sometimes we forget to make sure we are in proper alignment. Hope all is well with you!

    Hugs!
    Loni

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  5. Hey Lady Loni,
    I've been feeling like this too lately with summer and school being out. But even if I'm not BICHOK, I'm gonna be taking part in the other important aspect of being a writer--people watching, sight seeing, day tripping--basicallly restocking my idea vault. I wish you luck in your writing endeavors as well!

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  6. Carlene,
    I agree. In order to understand your characters we must understand the people and places around us. That is where we get the "What if?" effect.
    All the best to you!
    Loni

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