Blog or book

When I wake up very early in the morning I love to lay still and listen to the robins and cardinals as they herald in the slow light of dawn. I think about the day ahead, dreams I've dreamed and feel my bones straightening up from curled up sleep positions in the night.

The day begins with a cup of coffee and the blog-world. Checking out other sites, recent comments, and often reading over past posts remembering how I felt thus and then. If I choose to create a new post, writing flows in the early hours of the morning. This is the time I am most productive with expressing those thoughts into my computer. My blog receives it all. And then onto the day I go: work-out, weights, yoga, shower, blah-blah, college, teaching, grading ... whatever the day holds. Yes indeed, the early morning is the best time for me for writing.

Lately I have been thinking: blog or book. I simply do not seem to be able to do both. Once I have written in the morning, there is no more writing of substance in me until the following day. That's just the kind of gal I am ... have become.

And then yesterday I visited I Speak of Dreams and presto, Liz writes that she is looking forward to my book. I thought, "Yes, Liz, thank you so much, and I am looking forward to my book too." Indeed, I think about it so much of the time, as I am lecturing, when presenting, watching television, talking to colleagues, listening to friends with children, remembering my own childhood, reading other bloggers, talking to Nelle, eating in restaurants, grocery shopping ... well, the list is endless of course. And yet, here I am, writing in my blog again, and again, and again.

The question is, will I be able to write in the blog only sometimes? Or do I have to give it up, declare a hiatus for awhile? These are serious questions for me for my blog has become an old friend, a rock in stormy times. I seem to have so little will-power in giving it up to book writing. I wonder what Get it Written has to say about all this?

Am torn, dear readers. Down the middle between blog and book. But a decision must be made and soon for summer is rolling in even as we speak.

Comments

[Jean]

Could you blog about the book-writing process - even once a week, say? Clutching at straws here, I don't want to lose you. But the world needs your book - so whatever YOU need...

[Tamar]

Every suggestion helps me formulate how I am thinking about handling this internal conflict. Thanks so much for your comment, Jean.

[Aeron]

Tamar,
I often feel like there aren't enough hours in a day to do both kinds of writing, but I remember when I was journaling every day in Montana, I felt like I got more "other" writing done too. I think writing feeds itself.
For example, my brother-in-law writes a great blog: http://barthanderson.livejournal.com/
and his first novel is coming out--while he works full time and parents his 3 year old boy!
It's inspiring.
Love you
Aeron

[goldenlucyd]

I hope you don't have to choose. I'd love to read your book but for purely selfish reasons would miss your blog! I think Jean had a wonderful idea. Perhaps the best of both worlds for us and synergy for you?!
lucyd

[Chancy]

Tamar You would miss blogging too much and all of us would miss you. I say write the book but I agree with Jean on the weekly up date about your book here on your blog.

Best of both worlds.

[ainelivia]

My thoughts were that you could blog the book, and then I clicked on comments and saw Jean's suggestion which could be so interesting, blog the process.

Of course I am being a bit selfish here, because I would miss you and your wonderful writing; however I do agree with Jean again, the world needs your book. Teachers and children need your book, and dare I say it, I need your book.

And I also agree with Aeron, that out of journalling can come the other writing, so ... whatever I suppose feels best for you

[savtadotty]

I have on my bookshelf a copy of John Steinbecks's "Journal of a Novel," which he wrote for his close friend and editor Pascal Covici while Steinback was writing East of Eden. If you could somehow consider your blog as the journal of your book, we would be privileged as Covici was and, later, Steinbeck's readers were.

[Tamar]

savtadotty,
What an interesting story about Steinbeck and Covici. I will have to get hold of that book. These are all such helpful ideas as I struggle with how to balance it all. Thanks so much.

[liz]

Blog and book! Blog your process. Blog the reservations and confusions. Post drafts.

I'd miss you too.

[Tamar]

liz,
GREAT comment! Thanks so much for your kindness. Wow! This is inspiring. You have set my little writing heart on fire!