In this edition of Freelance Friday I want to highlight freelance writer Angela Swanlund. Angela has been around the Internet for many years and published on many websites. Her best work has been for places like The Encyclopedia of Arkansas, where she did extensive research into the gruesome killing spree of Ronald Gene Simmons. She’s also been published in Cuckleburr Times and Ozark Farms and Neighbor Newspaper.
Angela is a prolific writer with a style that is uniquely hers; sometimes extremely serious, sometimes light and funny. No matter what topic Angela tackles she handles it with panache and professionalism.
Last year she did something almost unheard of in today’s society; she unplugged for an entire year. Yep, that’s right. She disconnected her phone service and her Internet service and devoted the entire year to writing her first full length novel. Actually, she went a bit overboard and it ended up being the length of two novels. She is now in the process of trimming it down and getting ready to send it off to publishers. She’s also begun working on her second novel. This one has been a bit difficult due to that fact that she’s contending with the Internet this year. She may have to unplug to see it’s completion.
Most writers would never dream of walking away from their freelance career for a year to pursue writing a novel. Many try to juggle the best of both worlds and end up frustrated in the process, never giving due diligence to either project. Angela is living proof that you can go off the grid, write a novel, and survive life without the digital age.
Many of us need the income we receive for our freelance work. Angela just buckled down and lived frugally for a year so the loss of income would not be such a strain. You have to decide which is more important; ordering pizza every week or getting your novel out.
When asked why she took such extreme measures, she admitted that self-control can be more difficult than actually unplugging. Without the tease of getting online for just a few minutes, she was able to focus her sole attention to her novel.
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Great article. For the last two days, my house has been TV free and I am getting more done. If I turn off the BB, drop my job, and so on, I'm sure it would have an impact. Congrats Angela! Thanks for sharing Patti!
Twitter: pattistafford
says:
Hi Eleana,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I know I'd get more writing done if I unplugged more often, but it's too tempting without actually unplugging completely.
I rarely watch TV so that isn't my distraction. It's actually my escape sometimes.
Twitter: fearofwriting
says:
Patti, I loved the dramatic title on this blog post as well as the inspiring message.
I can vouch for the approach Angela used to accomplish her novel-writing dreams. Although I've never actually shut off my Internet account, I often use unplugging from social media to tackle a big project. I got my first screenplay finished that way, as well as a giant training program I was writing for my online course.
It's amazing how even one small thing–such as unsubscribing from all writing ezines that you don't actually read–can help. And going cold turkey on leaving blog comments is another one. (This is the first blog comment I've written in ages, so you know you got my attention!)
Angela, all the best with getting your novel(s) published! I'm sure Patti will announce their debut and then we can all go check you out on Amazon. Yay!!
Twitter: pattistafford
says:
Thanks for stopping by Milli.
You are very good at avoiding social media when you need to. LOL. I'm getting better at using it to my advantage, but I do still play once in awhile, on Facebook anyway, since I have old friends on there. I don't know how extreme I could go with unplugging though. A week would be about all I'd want to try, unless I was traipsing through Europe of course. :)
I do want to highlight you and Fear of Writing on Freelance Friday at some point too. Or, maybe a special for Mayhem & Madness. We'll touch base on it soon.
Thanks again for stopping by.
Hugs!
I absolutely could NOT unplug for a year, but then I don't have to worry about to many distractions right now. I seem to have no shortage of ideas to write about, and now that I've got a good schedule going that works for me, the Internet and distractions are even less of an issue. Still, I have to admire anyone who can unplug from technology for a year for any reason. LOL!
One thing I noticed after unplugging – and focusing on the novel – was the conversation in the book took on a whole new life and vitality. Without my beloved YIM and friends like Patti, Maria, and Jonathan to talk to – my characters filled that gap. I began to talk through them more. Social interaction is a base human need, and when this need is deprived – the mind tends to fill that gap itself. Luckily I was able to blame writing a book when I began to talk to myself! LOL
Twitter: Irish_Lady1
says:
I just realized that Angela had left a comment on the article. Boy, I am really behind!
Angela, we did miss you during that time but so glad you were able to finish the book. I think you needed that time for many reasons. And I love your thoughts on needing the characters to explain why we writers talk to ourselves. :D
Would I be able to unplug for a year? Not on your life. Well, I might be able to cut my usage of the web way down but my husband is now home all the time and would be bored out of his skull if he didn’t have the net to play on. Although, Patti and I have discussed the idea of me having one of those portable ‘barns’ or sheds that look like mini houses to use as an office back in my woods, away from the house to do my work in. :)
It does come down to will power ultimately. It’s one thing I think I’ll fight for all my life, with varied results. I do have 2 or 3 novel ideas floating in my mind. It might just come down to buying one of those barns and following in Angela’s footsteps to get them written.