Many writers have been given an opportunity to be read, discovered and validated, an opportunity that they wouldn't have otherwise gotten had it not been for the Internet. I believe I am one of those writers. When my first novel was published in 2005 I was beside myself when I opened the box of complimentary copies sent to me, pulling out the top book and practically cradling it as if it were a newborn. It was thrilling and I went on to write and publish a second book. People are now asking me when will my next book come out since they know that I'm working on a memoir, which upstaged a novel-in-progress due to unexpected events in recent years that required telling. However, thanks to the Internet, the means that helped me get to where I am today, I find that I often put aside my work-in-progress in order to post a blog--you know those pithy pieces of unloaded frustration that absolutely need to be expressed and immediately posted. Why? Instant gratification, of course.
Even though I enjoy the responses to my books from the emails I get, I've discovered that when I blog, I often find that the comments are instantaneous, especially if I've blogged about those provocative topics of politics or religion. More importantly, I find that when I am inspired by a news story or some thought that I just cannot let go, especially if it has ruffled my feathers, I immediately need to express my take on the subject. Enter blogging. Unfortunately, it seems that my feathers are ruffled much too often, taking my attention away from the memoir, and, admittedly, where I give far too much energy to that urgent indulgence. Yet, it doesn't end there because in order to make sure I get readers to my blogs, I must update my status on Facebook and Twitter, my blog truncated with that all important link, which means even more time away from the "real" writing.
The problem is, being a needy-hungry-for-immediate-attention writer, by the time I've written and posted the blog, updated Facebook and tweeted, my creative juices have been depleted for the day and once again I've turned my back on the bigger picture, which is what happened today. Nonetheless, I just needed to explore the topic of instant gratification versus superfluous distractions. Now if you'll excuse me I have some social media networks that need updating.
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Oh, you know what they say about instant gratification, right? It's not fast enough.