How long can you go without the Internet?
Stephen Elliott just took a month off from using the Internet, and wrote an interesting essay about his experiences. He concluded that unplugging will improve your writing.
Mostly, I don't follow his advice. I spend most of my day pounding away on one of two computer screens--my day-job computer and my home computer. While writing at my day-job, I surf the web for research and diversion. When I am working on my novel, I stay off-line. That's the separation that works for me.
How about you? Do you ever unplug? Check out the essay, it's chock full of writing advice. Dig it:
"I made some decisions for my own Internet usage when I got back online. The first thing I did was replace my blog with an advertisement for my books. Why did I think I needed a blog? I resolved to stay away from MySpace and LiveJournal. I don't go online on the weekends. Also, I don't use the Internet while I'm at home ... Since I'm most creative in the mornings, I've decided no Internet until after lunch ... I suggest this as a routine for people who must spend their days in front of a computer and want to accomplish more: Divide your day into online and offline."
Thanks to Ed Champion for the link. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Stephen Elliott as well.
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