Mike Ault's thoughts on various topics, Oracle related and not. Note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are not contributing to the overall theme of the BLOG or are insulting or demeaning to anyone. The posts on this blog are provided “as is” with no warranties and confer no rights. The opinions expressed on this site are mine and mine alone, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Help! I'm Writing and Can't Stop!

Things have a way of taking on a life of their own. At one time I had a life, I really did. I camped with my kids, did some hunting with my buddies, went on fishing trips, I even spent quiet nights at home with the wife on occasion. I had a dream of writing fiction, even had a couple of short stories published in some regional magazines and had a few rejection slips from my novels. Then I began writing technical.

It started out with just an article now and then, free stuff to magazines like Radiation protection Management. Then I started getting paid for doing product reviews and for documenting things I had done with Oracle and the long slippery side into writing servitude began. Before I knew it I was writing books, I had no weekends, I did no camping, hunting or fishing. I carried a laptop with me everywhere and snuck in a few words whenever I could. I was even writing at work!

Soon I was doing articles, presentations, books and now blogs (I have 3 of them including this one) I can't sit down and feel comfortable without having a laptop in my lap, my hands curl naturally into writing position (or is it arthritis from too much writing?)

I was pulled over the other day, the officer said I was driving erratically, I explained about a deadline and how I had to finish an article, he saw the laptop sitting beside me, how embarrassing, he let me go with a warning and plea that I get help.

I checked my resume, 7 pages of writing credits, this has got to stop I told myself. Is there a 12 step program for writers? "Hello, I am Mike and I am a writer...."

3 comments:

Jen said...

Mike,

This is Jen Miner from Suite 101 here. Since we can't start discussions for CWs over there (yet), I found this blog through your bio and decided to drop you a note here.

I really enjoyed your scuba fins article; informative, funny, and geekified = pure joy. It's great to have you writing at Suite now. Since you have some friendly readers here - judging from the comment on your preceding blog entry - you might like to add links to your better Suite efforts to this blog. That way, they can find you without all that time spent on more pain-in-the-neck promo efforts. Because you're right; you ARE a write, and a really good one. No 12 Steps necessary! :)
Jen

skymaster said...

I guess there can always be too much of a good thing when it comes to writing and work. I myself, have stumbled upon the slipper slope of writing as I work on my first Oracle book. Its amazing how true this is. I also used to have a life before I started work on the book. Now I carry my laptop with me just about everywhere. Its weird.

-Ben Prusinski

Mike said...

jen,

I added the link as instructed on the page, you just need to scroll down a bit to get to it.

Ben,

Go back! Don't start! Give up hope all that press enter here....

welcome to the ranks of writers...good luck!

Mike