A couple of years ago, I took a creative writing class. One of the techniques we discussed was the idea of scheduling time to write everyday. The idea is that just as the sculpture needs a block of raw stone from which to create, the writer needs a block of raw words from which to create and develop their craft. I've practiced this technique off and on and have seen it work. Another way to 'see' this is to think of those regular pieces of writing as drops into a pool. Before we can swim we need to fill the tank.
Lately, when I sit to write I often experience something best described as emptiness...a lack of words and ideas. Reflecting on this I wonder this: I often tweet and write status updates when I am struck by a creative thought or idea that I think is worth sharing. Once it is shared, I tend to move on to the next thought. So, I wonder, does the instant sharing of nuggets of creative writing via Social Media rob the the creative mind of the inspirational pressure of accumulated ideas? Do we keep our vessel empty?
Have you ever experienced this?
Social Media is death to writers. That's my take on it. When I can summon the discipline to write first before going online, it's a night and day difference in what flows from my pen. Unfortunately, my experience has been it's not a day to day thing you can choose. It's accumulated. I can't just not to social media one morning and have a great writing session that day. It's choosing each and every day to be creative first that unlocks the ideas.
ReplyDeleteTake today, for example. I'm checking out blogs instead of writing. Can you say, "crapping writing day ahead of me...??"
=)
I don't see any problem with writing ideas and sharing in social media....but once an idea is published, I also don't forget about that idea. Rather the act of publishing usually forces me to come up with the language to describe what I intent. And typically I'm not happy with the result, so I can always go back and update what I wrote.
ReplyDeleteMaybe its a matter of connecting the dots, both in social media, and across your social media. You need a book marking tool that connects work across social media.