Would you consider yourself a productive writer?
I know I’m not! 
A productive writer has to tip the scales towards being selfish. OUCH! That hurts doesn’t it. Selfish? Moi? No way! Yep, I’m afraid its the only way you’re gunna up your word count. You need to discover all those things that prevent you from writing and try to figure out how you can turn your writing enemies into your writing allies 
Courtesy of kittisak/freedigitalphotos
In the first session of my Faber class we were asked to write down two lists. A list of our writing enemies (those things that stop us writing) and a list of our writing allies (those things that help us write). Here’s my list…
It was all going well until my pen hovered over the paper when I thought about my blog. I still can’t make up my mind what side of the list it should go on lol 
So now I have to figure out exactly how I get all those things removed from my enemies list and the only thing I can think of is to move into a hotel with no WiFi connection. Not really a practical solution is it?
I guess identifying the problem areas is a start. Knowledge is power right?
But the question remains….what side does my blog go on? Who are your allies and enemies?
ps…..tomorrows blog post will be a little later than usual as I’ll be at Faber
I needed to read this and plan to reflect on that question myself. Thanks for the post.
You are very welcome, and thanks for stopping by
Good luck!
Xx
I like this idea. I know my job is on the enemy list. My boss, enemy list. Sleep, enemy. Allies, well, you Are a great allie. Haha.
But, I am procrastinating as we speak, so got to go.
Thanks Sydney
Yeah, I think “job” is definitely gunna be on most people’s enemy list
Think you better put procrastination on your enemy list too
Awwwww, thanks honey *blush* but actually, I’m an enemy….coz you’re reading my blog when you should be writing! *snigger*
Good luck! Xx
Yeah, but, I am learning stuff. That makes you an allie.
LMAO! Ok, in that case, I’ll let you off
Xx
Hmm. Not sure where to rank the blog. My blog, it depends on the week. Sometimes I’m tempted to stop completely, but I’ve met so many cool writers that it’s difficult to get rid of that. Work can also be an enemy and an ally. If we’re slow, I can write at work, if we’re busy, I’m usually drained and don’t even want to turn on a computer.
I didn’t have a difficult time with the “selfish” part :/ No kids to worry about and hubby is gone a few days a week. My biggest challenge is fitting life back in without feeling like I’m neglecting the writing. But since I have, I’ve noticed I can get quality work done in a short time. I’ve turned off the wi-fi, closed the bedroom door and just tapped away for an hour. Whether it turned out to be utter crap or not, at least I had something on the page to work with.
Good luck finding the balance!
PS – Taking a few hours to myself and doing a night time cemetery tour here in town. Can’t wait! Will probably end up working its way into a story
It’s hard isn’t it Melanie…..I get so much out of blogging, but, it does take up a lot of time.
It’s blooming hard to fit writing around “life” isn’t it, or should that be fitting life around “writing”?
Good luck honey! Yes, finding a happy balance is exactly what I need to do
Ooooooo, now I’m intrigued!!!! I hope you’ll be blogging about it….sounds scary! Lol
Xx
I think i am far from productive right now. My boy takes priority after work.
Good for you Elliot, finding the happy balance
Xx
Very good advice in the blog. Need time and goals. Thank you.
You’re very welcome John, and thanks or stopping by
Xx
The internet and social media are the biggest barriers because they eat up too much time. The blog isn’t a barrier because to produce quality posts, a certain standard of writing is needed, and then some reflection etc.
That’s a good point Andy. I put fiction on my blog, and my blog is all very writing orientated. So perhaps it should go on the allie list
Yep, social media is a HUGE time suck
Xx
I agree with the man when he says, Puh-rack-tiss!!!!
Thank you Vikki, for reminding me about the list. I used to write out a ‘priority list’ when I worked full time. And, although I don’t have to spend eight hours a day doing a ‘day job’ anymore, I still have so many commitments that I don’t have enough time to write. Writing the list now! x
Oh definitely Maddie!!!! Which is why I’m so set on doing my prompt a day!
It’s funny isn’t it…because you don’t work you think you’ll have plenty of time to write, but your day just gets filled with other things *deep sigh*
Good luck! I hope you’ll be blogging about it
Xx
This is such a good post, Vikki. I’m going to do this exercise too. I don’t really have many allies, other than time – I’m lucky to be able to work from home, and the indexing work is very quiet at the moments so I could, in theory, write until school-run time!
Enemies, though … For me the biggest ones are distractions, and the biggest distraction is all the stuff you have to do to sell the book/s you’ve already written! That’s when blogging and social media aren’t things you can just cut off from, because if I don’t engage, I don’t find new readers.
For what it’s worth, I think your blog should go on the allies side. But that’s just me being selfish and I look forward to your posts. (Don’t leave us!) x
Thanks Jo
Good luck! Let me know how you get on with your list.
Now that’s really interesting Jo, that you put time on your allie list. I don’t work (ie a 9-5 job out of the house) either, but I just don’t seem to have enough of it! Lol….I’m obviously doing something wrong!
*slumps* it must be exhausting honey! I see you Twittering and FaceBooking, I don’t know how you do it!
Ha ha ha, awwwww, thank you
But as I said to Sydney above, I’m really your enemy as you should be writing not reading my blog 
Xx
There was a point where I would’ve considered my blog an enemy, but I think that’s changed. Confidence can be an enemy of mine. That’s all I can think of really. I’m not sure how to move confidence to the friend column.
Ahhhhh, yes, confidence is a hard one to shift from enemy to allie
Perhaps that comes with successful publication CC? I dunno….what do you think would boost your confidence?
xx
I have no clue, but when I figure it out I’ll start doing it. Lol.
I’m not sure where I’d stick blogging. There is no easy answer to the enemies list, especially the top 2. It’s just the forever question of balancing things out the best you can and finding time to write.
Thanks Sabrina
yes, i defnitely need to manage my time better dont i
xx
I’m ambivalent about the blogging too. It is undoubtedly taking a lot of my available writing time time away from my fiction writing. But as one blog pointed out (sorry, can’t remember who), it is writing, so it’s good practice in that sense.
Thanks RE
I have to agree!
xx
I love your allies and enemies list!
Thanks CB
xx
Hm, perhaps my freelance writing (I write for a job now lol) could be the enemy. It takes up a lot of time and energy for sure, but I live alone and I usually prefer to write at night so I get a lot done then.
would that be a case of writing what youre told to rather than writing what you want Sara?
xx
Usually. I write for a site where it is free reign, which is awesome. But for a few other clients, it is educational stuff and it can get a bit tedious.
Good exercise. Bet anyone who actually tries it might get a surprise
Thans honey
Give it a go!
xx
I’m nowhere near as productive as I’d like to be so I’ll give this exercise a go.
For me, blogging would go in both columns.
Good luck Patsy, let me know how it goes
Yeah, actually, you’re right….it should really be in both columns!
Xx
I find blogging an ally. It keeps my fingers up to date on the keyboard and if I’m ever stuck for words I just start writing a blog
That’s a good point Dianne
Xx
Ooh, hard choice. If I had to give one up, Facebook, Twitter or Blogging… no sorry, I can’t answer that
What I do find helpful is having a smart phone. My Tweeting and Facebook activity are both done via my phone and can be done in any spare five minutes, so they don’t tend to impact on my writing time. That leave me with only blogging that I have to sit at my computer and do when I could be writing, but I do enjoy it so I’m not sure I’d think about giving it up.
He he he, I’d have the same problem Rebecca!
Yeah, I do TRY to use my phone when I’m out and about for Twitter & Facebook, but when I’m out I’m usually driving or dashing about somewhere lol
Xx
It took quite some time for my family to understand my writing was not just something Mum did..now I am published they sort of get the picture. I do plug in earphones and disappear into my own world as much as I can but it is not easy. I’ll try the list!
I know where you’re coming from with that Mandy. I think my lot kind of roll their eyes lol
Hopefully, my kids will realise too if/when I’m published
Good luck honey!
Xx
I would say that your blog is defiantly a positive
. You always get a large amount of encouraging comments, that must give you such a boost to take that next step forward no matter what. I can never by sure if FB or Twitter are a good thing. They are brilliant for keeping you in touch, but the amount of time I spend on it is never a good thing lol.
Ha ha ha, thanks Sam
I LOVE my followers! I really appreciate all the support they’ve given me over the last 10 months
Yeah, FB & Twitter are definitely a time suck
Xx