For me, Living in Place is all about the writing life, and it’s pretty great, especially since the invention of the web, which allows me to connect with readers without even having to get dressed.
But the tension between the need for solitude and the pitfall of loneliness is real. There are even days when I read the Help Wanted ads and think about getting a clock-punching job. But I don’t, because I’m a writer, and learning to balance solitude and loneliness is part of the job.
So I write fiction and essays in the morning, and freelance in the afternoon, when my clients are boss. Since it takes me a long time to write a novel, the essays keep me connected to my readers, who I hold very dear. But the truth is, I can’t do this alone; we all get by with a little help from our friends. Here are some ways my reading friends can help me:
- Subscribe to this blog. It’s easy: enter your email address in the box on the right and click on Subscribe. You’ll receive an email asking you to confirm your subscription. (It might go into your spam folder, so check that.) Once you click on the confirmation, these posts will be emailed directly to you each Wednesday.
- Like my Author Page on Facebook. This is where I post links to my VPR commentaries, my Live To Write posts, other publications, and other writing news. You can also follow me on LinkedIn and @debluskin on Twitter.
- Tell me what you think! There’s a place to comment at the bottom of every post and on Facebook. Or contact me from the website.
- Let’s meet! I do a fair bit of public speaking and teaching, where I meet readers face-to-face. In fact, I have a chance to teach Expository Writing for the 21st Century at Marlboro College Graduate Center this fall. Learn more about this 3-credit graduate course here, and contact me if you have interest or questions.
And thanks.
I totally understand the balance part. I like to isolate myself because I get the most written in that time, I need the quiet and solitude, but then, days go by and I find I haven’t talked to anyone and I feel lonely. I need the experiences of life to have something to write about , but then I resent people when they crowd me. I guess I’m still looking for that balance, but I’m thrilled I’m not the only one, and that it’s a real thing other writers struggle with. thanks!
You are NOT alone!
You may enjoy a post I wrote a few years back for the writing blog, Live to Write – Write to Live https://nhwn.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/solitude-versus-loneliness/
And one of the payoffs of all that time spent alone writing is then going public with it (as in PUBLICation), which connects you to your readers.
Thanks for writing – and good luck!