Writers and Twitter

The Tyee has published my article Real Writers Tweet. Excerpt:

Most serious authors, working in the early 21st century, must realize that the web is the most dangerous threat they have faced since alcohol and tobacco. 

No longer can you sit down, roll a sheet of paper into a typewriter, and start writing. Now you have to wake up your computer, check your email, answer your email, and visit a couple of dozen news sites and blogs. You post witty comments on some of them, and then post something on your own blog. 

You go back to your email, which just pinged because someone posted on your Facebook page. You go back to see if your witty comments have provoked any responses, and then your email pings again. 

So it goes, all day long. Before you know it, the sun is over the yardarm and as a serious author you are professionally entitled to a couple of stiff drinks. God knows you need them; you've got a classic case of writer's blog.

Comments

[Col]

Thanks!
I recognize the symptoms all too well, and it's not just writing that succumbs! But writing certainly does.
On the other hand, Twitter, like all addictive creations, is also a great help if managed well: A source of contact, inspiration, material, evaluation, realism (and fantasy!), escape, home truths. It can enhance, or dash ideas.
Like those other addictions and obsessions, the real answer is self discipline. But horizon expansion has never been bad for creative writing. Has it?

[MALjungberg]

Pretty sure I suffer from this disease... are there any known cures?

There is a software that unable you to use your browser for a given amount of time... but I don't dare to cut my access to the world like that. Need a workshop in writers discipline.

[Gina Blechman]

I DEFINATELY suffer from this. I spend a good couple of hours every day tweeting and blogging. However, I'd definately say that it's worth it. The community that I've found online is AMAZING.

<3 Gina Blechman

[web design]

You are indeed a good writer.