Comments on: Hiatus Comeuppance–a meme

By: Jim Bashkin

Jim Bashkin — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:53:42 +0000

Hi, Alan. Thanks for the Grafton review. I’ve read them all, I think, and look forward to each one, but the intervals between books seem to have been increasing. Hard to imagine how that happens, eh?

I’ve hardly written at all for my fiction blog in the past few months. I have written a fair amount for the environmental blog (http://greenchemistry.wordpress.com/), which has 10-20 times the readership, if not more, though I must admit that isn’t saying much! I’m a bit burnt out from all of it, though. Maybe the pressure of finally earning more than $2 has gotten to me (I’m up to about $4.50). I’m still reading a fair amount and just read the first two Reykjavik thrillers by by Arnaldur Indridason: Jar City and Silence of the Grave. The first was good and the latter was outstanding. I suppose I’ll review them…

I hope you are well. It was a pleasure to read through your latest posts, and I need to read more. Sorry I’ve been absent, and best wishes, Jim

By: Alan

Alan — Wed, 07 May 2008 23:55:52 +0000

I know what you mean about professional writers whining about writer’s block, Will. Though I do sort of appreciate it. For me it is not simply a matter of Time when other interests or commitments keep me away from posting. I find I really Do need to be in a reasonably rested and focused frame of mind to produce copy that is worth reading and it is less not having time than not being in a frame of mind to write. This was not my first hiatus and I’m sure it won’t be my last. But at the risk of tooting my own horn I will say that given the rather high degree of challenge in my self assigned job to write a book report every day, forever, I honestly believe I have shown a pretty high level of devotion and produced a body of content I am proud of.

By: Will

Will — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:06:28 +0000

I find that so many things compete for my time. Even if you love to write and feel like you are writing about important topics, writing can take a back seat to making money or family obligations. I can honestly say I have never in my life even had the slightest hint of writers block. But I have never really made any money writing, so sometimes it takes effort to avoid being crushed by non-writing tasks. Writers block is non-existent if you love to write. What is reality is exactly what you describe. Other parts of your life intruding, for good or for bad.

Some of the luckiest people in the world are those that can make money writing. I always gets a bit irked when I hear someone who makes an income from their writing complain about writers block!