Thanks for the newsletter. My secret for maintaining writing output in a digital age is to block ALL internet for certain times of the day when I have decided to be writing. I do this through an app you may have heard of Cold Turkey--it's absolutely brilliant. One-off payment (£30, not sure what that is in dollars) and you have i…
Thanks for the newsletter. My secret for maintaining writing output in a digital age is to block ALL internet for certain times of the day when I have decided to be writing. I do this through an app you may have heard of Cold Turkey--it's absolutely brilliant. One-off payment (£30, not sure what that is in dollars) and you have it for life, it can block any and everything and is extremely hard to get round.
In the same vein, I remember reading that Margaret Attwood has two computers/laptops--one with internet access (and Twitter!) and one without, for writing.
In other news, when I read that in two weeks you’ll be interviewing an author who works part-time to pay the bills so that he can work the other part-time writing webnovels, I did a double-take--because I do that! Are you going to be interviewing me?? In seriousness, let me know if you do ever want to interview me... I do exactly that too, AND I have a wife and a kid to support (though it does help that in this season my wife works full-time and her job comes with a house, and as well as working and writing part-time I am also a part-time househusband...)
Just an update to let you know that I got Cold Turkey and it is AMAZING. My morning writing hours (6am-9am) are officially blocked from everything except what I need to write/reasearch my novels and it feels like instant meditation knowing that this time is reserved away from the internet. Thank you so much for the recommendation!
Haha, my pleasure, Elle! Glad it is helping you. I know lots of ways to make it impossible to get around if you ever accidentally find a workaround, and the creator is very friendly and always replies to emails too. I also use the 'frozen turkey' feature to force shut down my computer from 2200-0600 because there is really no good reason I need to be on it during that time. Let me know if you would ever like to plug my substack fantasy serial+podcast in your newsletter ;) But no pressure!
Interesting app!!!! I might just have to try this thing out. Especially as I write at the same time every morning.
There are so many authors who have an internet-less laptop and I think that says a lot. The internet can be very distracting if used as an observer, rather than a creator.
I'll be curious to read your thoughts on my next post. The part-time writing career definitely seems like a good gig!!!!
Hi Elle,
Thanks for the newsletter. My secret for maintaining writing output in a digital age is to block ALL internet for certain times of the day when I have decided to be writing. I do this through an app you may have heard of Cold Turkey--it's absolutely brilliant. One-off payment (£30, not sure what that is in dollars) and you have it for life, it can block any and everything and is extremely hard to get round.
In the same vein, I remember reading that Margaret Attwood has two computers/laptops--one with internet access (and Twitter!) and one without, for writing.
In other news, when I read that in two weeks you’ll be interviewing an author who works part-time to pay the bills so that he can work the other part-time writing webnovels, I did a double-take--because I do that! Are you going to be interviewing me?? In seriousness, let me know if you do ever want to interview me... I do exactly that too, AND I have a wife and a kid to support (though it does help that in this season my wife works full-time and her job comes with a house, and as well as working and writing part-time I am also a part-time househusband...)
Best wishes,
Faenon (Luke)
Just an update to let you know that I got Cold Turkey and it is AMAZING. My morning writing hours (6am-9am) are officially blocked from everything except what I need to write/reasearch my novels and it feels like instant meditation knowing that this time is reserved away from the internet. Thank you so much for the recommendation!
Haha, my pleasure, Elle! Glad it is helping you. I know lots of ways to make it impossible to get around if you ever accidentally find a workaround, and the creator is very friendly and always replies to emails too. I also use the 'frozen turkey' feature to force shut down my computer from 2200-0600 because there is really no good reason I need to be on it during that time. Let me know if you would ever like to plug my substack fantasy serial+podcast in your newsletter ;) But no pressure!
It's seriously great. It has forced me to keep that time sacred. A few solid hours away from the world can work wonders for writing!
Interesting app!!!! I might just have to try this thing out. Especially as I write at the same time every morning.
There are so many authors who have an internet-less laptop and I think that says a lot. The internet can be very distracting if used as an observer, rather than a creator.
I'll be curious to read your thoughts on my next post. The part-time writing career definitely seems like a good gig!!!!