Why I disconnect when I write

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By Alex on July 14th 2008 - 5 comments

via flickr

I don't mean I disconnect from the subject I'm writing about, quite the opposite is true. When I say disconnect I mean unplugging from the internet and writing outside my regular workspace. I've only done this a couple times in the recent past, but I didn't realize how effective it is until today.

My sister was in town for the last week, and yesterday I took the four hour drive to get her back home. Justin was driving so I had all the time in the world to just write. But write about what?! I obviously had no internet connection. At first I thought I wouldn't have any inspiration to write, but it turns out I didn't have the distraction of the internet, and the ideas just started flowing. I just thought about how much I like writing here, and just like that a new article idea was born and I wrote "Why you have to blog about what you love".

When I first started writing that article I switched over to Firefox to find a picture to go along with my post, only to remember I have no internet. So I switched back to OpenOffice Writer and cranked out the article instead. By the time I was halfway done writing it I thought "if I had an internet connection, I would probably only have my title written". And just like that, I had a brilliantly productive idea and another article to write about, this one.

I do realize this isn't possible for everybody, but if you have a laptop you don't have an excuse. You can go sit on your patio, go to a coffee shop, or go write in the park. Just make sure your wireless internet is disabled!

This can also be a great way to get out a writing slump. I can't count how many times I just couldn't think about what to write, or how to write it. Being disconnected from everything but your imagination can work wonders.

Let me know what you think. Have you done this before, or do you currently do this when you write? If not, what do you think about the idea? Tell me why you will or won't be trying it.

Comments

July 15th 2008 @ 3:10 am

Lindsay

It depends a bit on what I'm writing. If I'm working on my main blog, I need internet access, since I get a lot of my ideas from other sites (product/trends related blog).

But when I'm working on a short story, yes, I have to get away from the internet, or I'll end up completely distracted. I'll start out looking up something story related (what exactly does a steam tractor look like...) and end up losing an hour wandering from site to site. :P

July 15th 2008 @ 10:08 am

Erik Karey

I'm always connected when I write so that I can look for inspiration when needed and also accompanying photos. It may take me a bit longer, but it's my process and works pretty well. I also keep a running list of post ideas so that I always have a post topic ready.

July 15th 2008 @ 11:52 am

Alex the Freelance Twin

@Lindsay - I feel the same way but before I actually sit down to write, I have my idea ready from reading other blogs or whatever. Just the actual act of writing is what feeds my distraction. P.S. I like the spelling of your name, very unique.

@Erik - How you doin buddy? That post idea list you speak of, I have one of those too and it's so very useful. When you sit down to write, even if you do spend time looking for pictures, do you find yourself getting distracted and not writing? If you ever run into a slump try disconnecting and see how it works. Of course this method isn't for everybody but hopefully it will help some people.

July 16th 2008 @ 5:18 pm

sikantis

Luckily I can write everywhere and in each situation. I love what I write.

July 18th 2008 @ 10:40 pm

Michele

Yes, I call this unplugging. It is necessary sometimes because the Internet is just so distracting!

Great post. I'm glad I followed over from Plurk. :-)

*smiles*
Michele

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