Write First, Blog Later

I can hardly believe my six-week "break" is half over, and I've done so little on my book. I've spent a lot of time thinking and revising and getting feedback, but my word count has hardly gone up at all.  However, I've passed the 50 follower mark at The Writer's Hole.  That is so exciting to me!  Part of it is certainly due to all the blogging - writing and commenting on my own posts as well as on others' - and due to the critiques I've been doing. I've probably spent as much reading other people's work as I have reading my own. This is an entirely new experience for me. I would not have had anything to say a couple of years ago. I've learned a lot, but I still have a long way to go.

I must admit, I'm not the best critique partner in the world. I tend to say what I think without stopping to ask myself if there's a softer way to phrase it until AFTER the critique has been sent.   I have always been that way - more of an idea person than a people person.  Let's debate ideas - don't take it personally.  But people always do, and I should know that creative ideas are the most personal kind of all.

I'm planning a 100 followers contest and a blogfest at TWH, but not until I've done some more on the book.  I was hoping to have it mostly finished by the end of June, but I doubt that will happen now.  I need to write first and blog later.  But man, there is just so much good stuff out there! Blog posts to comment on, stories to read, critiques to give.  It's like a whole culture of its own: the Wannabe Published.  But I never will be if I don't actually write.

My son is turning eight this weekend.  I can't believe how grown-up he's becoming.  Guess what we are doing to celebrate?  Attending a WWII re-enactment weekend.  (I'd rather stay home, but he wants me to come.)  He's also definitely turning into a writer. He will lay on his bed with a pencil and paper, composing stories for me to read.  He also has a diary that he keeps under his pillow. 

Have a great weekend, everyone. And don't forget to "Write First, Blog Later."