How Losing Internet Access Helped Me as a Writer

I have no internet access. These simple words strike fear into the heart of many, especially writers like me who sell much of their work online. The day before yesterday a storm took out our phone lines. Now you would think that after the lines were repaired that my high-speed internet line would be up and running. No, things never work out that easily. My computer can't find a DSL connection, and believe me I've done everything I can but my tech skills are severely limited.

So I've been writing. Without the distractions online I find myself in front of a computer, completely isolated and alone. All I can do is write. I can't check my email, read the news, watch videos or read my horoscope. Of course I also can't check my bank statements or my paypal account, or accept offers of work or anything else. Yet those take little time and I'm beginning to realize that in some ways the internet takes away more than it gives.

I wonder exactly how much time I've wasted when I could have been actually writing. Could I have completed my novel by now? Would I have written more articles per day, or sent out tons of query letters to agents and publications? Perhaps I would have earned enough for my much dreamed about laptop.

It's doubtful though. One thing I've learned in all my years of writing and living with myself is that I know how to procrastinate like nobody else. In fact, if it weren't for the internet helping me out, I would probably weigh one or two hundred pounds more than I do. The best procrastination for me is food, so being able to substitute information, gossip, and other inconsequential things is actually good for me. In fact, I've learned a lot online that can be used as research and some valuable lessons in human behavior

Maybe what I need to do is find some kind of balance. Perhaps I need to structure my days so that when I'm actually supposed to be writing I'm not logged online. Or I could only let myself be online for a certain amount of time. The only problem is, and you've probably already guessed this, is that I'm not real good with authority, rules or regulation, even when they're my own. That's why writing is the perfect job for me. So I hereby resolve to stay off the internet when I'm writing. I'm sure I'll find some way around my new rule, I usually do. However, they say that awareness of a problem is half the battle. If that's so, then I'm farther along than I thought. If you're reading this article than I'm successfully back online; hopefully not too much.