As many of you know, and as some have noticed, I don’t talk about writing. There’s a reason for that. I’m sure I’ll get my hands rapped because of this declaration, but I think it’s important to talk about, since this is the rare and possibly only occasion when I will speak freely about this.
One of my family members calls me a machine. I’ll take that as a compliment. The other comment I get is I’m a workaholic. Again, I’ll take that as a compliment.
The truth is, before I started this site, I had taken an extended leave of absence from all social networking sites. I know what you’re thinking, “Nothing wrong with taking a couple of weeks off to regain perspective.” In my case, it wasn’t a couple of weeks. It wasn’t even a couple of months. Sit down for this.
I’d taken eight months off from all social networks. That’s eight months off Twitter. Eight months off Facebook. Other than email, eight months off every social network. Months prior, I’d written a three-quarters completed draft of Ranger Martin and the Zombie Apocalypse. Then I stopped. Cold turkey. For eight months, I didn’t write a word. Anywhere.
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When I came back, I had so many pent-up ideas that I couldn’t stop writing. The format for the site took an afternoon. It was that quick. This includes coming up with the categories Monday Mayhem, Women Who Wow Wednesday and today’s Freedom Friday. I dusted off my old zombie manuscript and completed it. I quickly started Ranger Martin and the Alien Invasion.
Earlier, I said my family considers me a machine. Well, that’s not too far from the truth. I write every day except Saturday, even when I don’t feel like it. I don’t wait for inspiration because, I suppose, it’s now a habit.
If you’re curious, this is how I do it. I sit. I write.
Pretty simple, huh?
There’s a bit more to it than that, but I write whatever comes to mind. I’ll edit after it’s down on paper. And because I’ve established a two-to-three week buffer before publishing anything, I have a lot of time to think and play with ideas. If I don’t like an idea, I chuck it. In a year, I must have thrown away a dozen posts.
But I must say, hadn’t I taken eight months off before creating this site, I’m sure I would’ve convinced myself I needed inspiration to write. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The bottom line? I don’t talk about writing because I’m too busy writing.
RANGER MARTIN AND THE ALIEN INVASION, on sale October 21.
What about you writers out there—what is it that compels you to write?
Looking to God 
Only my imagination… 🙂
There are times when I think I need to update the blog, get some new posts done. But I’m too busy and preoccupied with the latest novel. It’s amazing how a simple ‘I’ll just check this or that’ becomes a two hour distraction.
Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest have been virtually shelved for a long time now. I try to concentrate on the blog, but if it gets in the way of the novel then the novel comes first.
I think you have your priorities straight. Novel first, everything else is second.
The distraction of FB rings true, I timed myself one day – a little scratch paper made it apparent that that little blue app button on my phone needed to be ignored or removed. As far as writing 😉 I am not a writer, I just like sharing random moments. I look forward to more posts!!
Thanks for the like!
“The bottom line? I don’t talk about writing because I’m too busy writing.”
Loved this line. I write because life is too boring otherwise. I want magic and heroes and adventure. I want epic clashes between good and evil and fantastical worlds inhabited by creatures we only see on our imagination. Most of the time i’m only gonna find those things in reading and writing.
Good writers write because they want to. Great writers write because they have to.
I agree, as I’m not a huge fan of talking about writing. I just enjoy writing for the mysterious process that it is.
I tip my hat to you, Sonya.
Reblogged this on The Girl Who Blogs and commented:
Great thoughts on writing from Jack Flacco!
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Hi Jack. To answer your question, everything compels me to write. I only lack the hours it would take to write everything I need to.
Jack, if loved this post because you actually explained my life in one blog. Would you mind if I shared this post on my blog?
Sure, Marie. Go right ahead!
I know a few people who have done or are in the middle of a social network hiatus. Not sure if the current batch will even come back. It’s a crazy distraction, which can cause trouble when you need to get work done. As for why I write, it’s fun and I don’t know any other way. 🙂 Seriously, do it for so long and hold onto the fun and you tend to forget the initial reason.
Good for you Jack! You found a way to productivity that works for you. I work very hard on writing nearly every day, even if it’s just 30 minutes but those 30 minutes are better than no minutes. Keep up the good work!
I’ve solved the problem; I don’t write. 🙂
That is good advice. I would also say read. Read everything you can get your hands on. 🙂
So what’s the deal with paragraphs (and in books, pages) leaving blanks intentionally?
Good Morning Jack,
Life compels me to write. …If I didn’t have my blog as a release then I seriously would feel weighted down.
I’ve been working on a book for over 4 years but to get to THAT place to connect with characters and the story I want to tell I need quiet and no distractions. ….and that’s hard to find. Hahaha it will get done eventually. 🙂
I seem to want to write. Now I am working on a book about Jews starting from Russia in nineteen hundred to current. It is characters based on actual events. It is my Godfather novel. I do it for me and a handful of readers. You like Zombies and I like Costain type novels. I put into it so far Rasputin, the Czar, the coming to America and now the War World One parts. I will leave it for my Grandson to read when he is interested to see what his Grandfather was into.
Hi Jack, Nice to reach out to you again. You are someone I really look up to as a writer, because you are committed, and you bring it like clockwork every week, and it’s really great wrting. I like all you said in this post, and I like how you addressed how distracting social media can be to the internal creative process. When I started my blog a year ago, I was not plugged into any social media. Now, I am preparing for my upcoming “blog season,” and I will have to traverse the challenge of focusing myself on my writing and not dallying in the distraction of checking my Facebook page or Instagram account…I began the social media journey to promote my blog, and I imagine I will need to put it aside at times as I get back to it.
Season 5 prepost coming soon…writing between the spaces of time between the busy life of a working mom. Very exciting times, Jack Flacco. As always, mad props and much love!
Kathleen, I am honored by all your kind words. Thank you!