The No Social Media Challenge – AKA The Cyber Vacation
For a writer, there’s nothing better than disappearing into a literary world for hours, days, weeks and simply writing, focusing all of our energy on creating fascinating characters, enthralling situations, gripping conflict.
To do this, we have to turn off social media – Facebook, Twitter, blogs, all of the distracting noise from the outside world. I thought this was impossible but a buddy challenged me to this cyber vacation.
I did it (taking a week off social media)!!! And yes, it WAS rejuvenating. My creative wells went from empty to overflowing. I have ideas I can’t wait to write and a renewed passion for the business.
This cyber vacation wasn’t without its challenges. I thought I’d share the lessons I learned so your experience is even better than mine (though I question that is possible – smiles).
Planning
I don’t recommend you take the time off without planning for it first. Facebook friends will worry about you. Email buddies will get irritated that you’re not returning their messages. Business will be disrupted. Plan for this week (or more) off.
Choose the right time for this cyber vacation (preferably at least a month in advance). Release week is NOT the right time (laughs). The week (or more) should be slow. I chose a week with a long weekend.
Once you choose the week, block it off. Don’t accept any invites for this time. I could guest host a Facebook party or Facebook takeover a day. I turned all of these requests down for the week. Other writers understand. We’ll still love you!
I have a separate email address for my agent, editors and family members. This is the only email I checked during my week off. I told them I was taking the week off. This didn’t stop the urgent emails though. (grins) I’m glad I checked this email address.
I changed my Yahoo loops and Facebook groups to no notifications. I figured if it involved me, a buddy would email me and point to the message (which they did).
I posted on Facebook that I was participating in this no social media challenge. NEVER post that you’ll be physically away from home. Thieves scour social media, looking for these types of messages. But a cyber vacation is different.
I usually allow all of my buddies to post on my wall and tag me. However, this means I receive a lot of spam which I have to delete. As I wouldn’t be checking my wall for this spam, I turned off the ability for anyone else to post or tag me.
I scheduled blog posts, tweets, Facebook posts for while I was on cyber vacation. Some reading buddies didn’t know I was gone!
I set aside a couple of days when I returned to answer emails, PMs, etc.
During The Week
For the first couple of days while on cyber vacation, I accessed my computer from places I feel nervous about logging in from. I don’t like typing in passwords on coffee shop or public library wifi networks. Yes, I realize they are likely safe but I avoid it. This removed the temptation to check email or Facebook.
Once I had spent a couple of days offline and was sucked completely into the story I was writing, I felt less of a compulsion to surf social media. I scanned the headlines of my emergency email account every second business day and that was it. There were some emergency emails I had to tackle but nothing world ending.
I also had goals. I wasn’t depriving myself of social media. I was indulging with the writing. It was glorious, freeing, relaxing.
When I Returned
Remember those couple of days I set aside for answering emails? I needed them. I receive over 1,000 emails a day (from writers, readers, reviewers, bloggers). I DID receive a couple of “where are you?” emails. I had missed two luscious limited time only offers (not the end of the world). With the rest of the emails, it didn’t matter that I answered them a week later.
Would I do this again?
Yes! Sure, I missed everyone but I think I was a much better friend when I returned. I appreciated my buddies more. I was relaxed. I was happy. I had a zillion new ideas and some fresh words written.
Have you disconnected for a day, a week or more? What was your experience?
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Belinda “Bee” Carter isn’t quite sure what she’s gotten herself into. She’s been receiving mysterious messages from a secret admirer who is sending her more and more erotic dares. Each time she fulfills his desires, she gets rewarded. She’s convinced that her mystery texter is one of two super-hot men—Nicolas, the handsome billionaire, or Hawke, the sexy biker—but she can’t tell which one it is. And she’s coming to realize that beneath her peaches-and-cream exterior beats a heart that longs to play out all of her most secret fantasies.
As the stakes are raised again, will Bee succumb to the sensual allure of this latest dare?
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sinful-Rewards-Billionaires-Bikers-Novella-ebook/dp/B00I7V89HA
Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinful-rewards-2-cynthia-sax/1119919836
Google: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=9780062354129
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sinful-rewards-2/id814153762
Topics: Writing Tips | 1 Comment »
Interview With J.K. Coi
I sat down (virtually) with J.K. Coi for a short interview. J.K. Coi is a dear friend of mine, a wonderful person and a gifted writer. Her latest release is In Bed with the Competition, a sexy Contemporary.
Cynthia Sax: What makes your Ben, your hero, so freakin’ sexy?
J.K. Coi: Ben is confident and smart – OMG so smart. He wears these reading glasses when he’s working that just make you want to drool because they’re so nerdy that they’re somehow uber hot. And yet he can totally rock a business suit like nobody’s…uh…business and still look fantastic and chiseled in nothing but a swimming trunk. He’s quick to smile and loves to tease, but he also has a deep heart.
Cynthia Sax: That’s PUNtastic! (grins) What excites you about In Bed with the Competition?
J.K. Coi: I love the back-and-forth between these characters. They really challenge each other, and their story challenged me to give them an adventure!
Cynthia Sax: What is your favorite line from In Bed with the Competition and why?
J.K. Coi: Well, I like this little snippet of a few short lines because it’s fun, but also sexy and intense, which is exactly what my two characters are like when they’re together! *grin*
“We have to be careful about cavorting with the enemy,” Beth murmured.
He stepped closer. “Is that what we are?”
“What? Enemies?” Her gaze fixed on his mouth, and he watched as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. He’d been waiting for that all night.
He pulled her against him. “No…cavorting.”
Cynthia Sax: What creates conflict between Ben and Beth?
J.K. Coi: Ben and Beth have a past, but now they’re also each other’s biggest business competitor. Each of them are attending this industry convention in Antigua looking to snag a big opportunity that could make or break their careers.
Thank you, J.K. Coi, for joining us today!
J.K. Coi’s Website: http://www.jkcoi.com
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This rivalry is too hot for the tropics…
Elizabeth Carlson and Ben Harrison used to be friends, coworkers… and almost lovers. But that was before Ben proposed mixing business with pleasure. Elizabeth refuses to lose her heart to a hotshot tycoon with a cutthroat, take-no-prisoners attitude. Not with the prospect of starting her own company at stake.
Driven to succeed in all areas of his life, Ben couldn’t resist the temptation to make Liz his. But then she walked away, igniting a bitter rivalry. Competing for the same contract at a Caribbean conference ignites sparks too hot to ignore, and Ben’s determined to finish what they started, even if it’ll only last a few steamy, tropical nights.
Elizabeth’s resolve begins to crumble under Ben’s blatant seduction. Can she walk away from a hot island fling with the sexiest man she’s ever known with her heart intact, or will losing herself in Ben destroy everything she’s fought to achieve?
Buy Now From Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Bed-Competition-Entangled-Indulgence-ebook/dp/B00KK433NW
Buy Now From Amazon.CA:
http://www.amazon.ca/Bed-Competition-Entangled-Indulgence-ebook/dp/B00KK433NW
Buy Now From Barnes And Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-bed-with-the-competition-jk-coi/1119610289
Buy Now From Kobo:
Topics: Author Interviews | Comments Off on Interview With J.K. Coi
