In some ways, this problem is almost nice. When I can’t get online, I don’t have to worry about making sure I check my email and keep up with Twitter and Facebook. I almost feel a little bit more productive. Well, except for all the extra time I’ve spent trying to figure out how to solve my internet issues and driving to places where I could pick up a wireless signal.

This past weekend was the first weekend in awhile that I didn’t have any scheduled book promotion events. It also happened to be my and my boyfriend’s first anniversary. We made use of the time and the perfect weather to spend some time outdoors at some parks near us. I didn’t spend any time on the internet at all this weekend, and I have to say, I didn’t miss it.

Of course, now I’m pay the price. I have a whole lot of catching up to do, but I still think it was worth it for my nice, relaxing weekend.

So, on that note, I direct you to this guest post I wrote for the YA Book Reads blog on the Story Behind Popular.

I’m thinking the life of a pre-internet writer pretty much consisted of sitting at a desk and writing. If they needed to look something up there was probably a dictionary close at hand. Something requiring more research might have involved a short note and a trip to the library at some point.

Modern writers have a wealth of information at their fingertips. Unfortunately, all that information can be a bit distracting. When I need to look something up, I just pop open my web browser (Who am I kidding? It’s probably already opened.) it can be anything from a complex research question to a very basic spelling question. Even though I have a dictionary within reach, it’s still easier to go to Google and let the search engine correct me on my misspelling.

Of course, once I have my answer all I need to do is head back over to the old work in progress, but usually I don’t. I remind myself that’s it’s been awhile since I’m visited those great lands of timesuck known as Twitter and Facebook. Also, I should check my email. I then waste three and half minutes watching the funny video someone sent me. Then I remember to read that blog I like, but there’s a link to another blog, and another. I discover a blog I’ve never read before and am instantly hooked, and oh look she’s soliciting captions or inspired stories for a funny photo so I have to use some of that creativity I should be using on the WIP.

By the time I get back to work, my stomach’s telling me it’s time to take a meal break. The illusion is that computers let us write so much faster than having to write things out by longhand or fighting with a typewriter, but I have a feeling that only computers without web access really let us work faster.

Well, now that I’ve caught up from my internet hiatus, it’s time to get back to work. Well, just as soon as I figure out how to fix my busted iPod. I should probably look that up on Google.