Thanks for the fabulous comments on yesterday's post! Why is it that it feels so good to find out others have similar struggles?
Somebody asked if I watch TV -- the answer is no. Haven't watched it in years. And the only time Mr. Authoress turns it on is to watch the Superbowl and presidential election results. TV is a brain-sucking, time-wasting, sub-talent-offering bane to any person's existence -- and especially the creative type.
Everyone needs a good dose of "passive entertainment" now and again. But that's what well produced movies and old British sit-coms are for. At least around our domicile.
We don't even have cable.
Someone else made a statement about how hard it is to sit down and actually do something that we love so much. It's beyond dichotomous. And I do suspect it's tied into that whole divergent mindset thing.
For those of you who think you might be ADD -- or if you've been diagnosed as such: Check out Born to Explore. Because there's a good chance that your brain is working exactly the way it's SUPPOSED to work. You just need to learn how to maximize its potential.
Okay. Rant over. *grin*
Monday's the Big Day! So make sure to ask your last-minute questions over the weekend (I'll check the comments; I promise). I'm super excited about next week's Secret Agent contest. Feels like ages since our last one!
Y'all rock, by the way. Thanks for the thousandth time for creating such an awesome community here.
Miss Snark's First Victim
Thanks Authoress for your comments.
ReplyDeleteI've heard people/kids with ADD/ADHD tend to be more creative. Not sure if that's true or not, but it seems to be so in my case. That's why I write. It helps to unlease my creative side. It's also why I write fantasy. Perfect combination.
Looking forward to Monday's contest.
Off now to check out Born to Explore.
Thank YOU Authoress for providing a gathering place for this community.
ReplyDeleteAnd
Old British sitcoms? I thought I was the only one who loved watching Mrs. Bucket avoid Onslo.
My TV is locked into the DVD player which seems to only show Thomas the Tank Engine DVDs. Easy to ignore and it keeps the younger autistic one happy while brother's at school.
ReplyDeleteI only get local channels and the tv rarely gets turned on. I don't like to watch, and usually only do with my husband. And that's not often at all. I'd much rather read, write, or play a board game.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the Young Ones, Are You Being Served?, Fawlty Towers, Keeping Up Appearances, and Monarch of the Glen. Don't watch often, but those are favs.
Thanks for bringing us all together.
And for ADD, most of my family has it. If you learn to work with it, instead of always trying to fight it, it seems to make life easier. At least that's been my family's experience.
The amazing thing about Onslow is how well-spoken and well-read he is for being "bone idle." :)
ReplyDeleteYes, Keeping Up Appearances, Fawlty Towers, Waiting For God, and our favorite, As Time Goes By.
Don't watch tv, but watch dvds when I have zero energy to do anything else (even play video games). I adore it. My down time :)
ReplyDeleteOh, and how could I forget? The first 2 seasons of Chef! -- brilliant!
ReplyDeleteEr...I seem to be in the minority as I watch TV ALL THE TIME. But Authoress is absolutely right, it's a brain suck and a time suck. But if I don't watch, I won't find out what happens to The Bachelor or if Meredith Gray will ever quit whining about her relationship with McDreamy...
ReplyDeleteTHIS is why I'm so slow working on my WIP.
BTW, word verification should be an actual word: panguist. Maybe an expert in cookware?
I'm glad to hear others are without TV. We have one channel and that barely comes in with our rabbit ears and foil. (Yeah, people look at us strangely when they visit). But it allows us time after the day job to pursue our passion (no, not that passion). I get a lot more writing done than when I did have cable. Now, if I could only unplug myself from the Internet!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the Secret Agent - I don't write children's, but as a former elementary teacher I'll be reading the entries with much interest.
Janet
Dear Authoress.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if you've seen it, but I posted a question under Monday's announcement for the SA contest.
Thank you in advance for your reply. It might be something that other individuals might want to know.
I have to agree with the TV comments. We don't have cable either, although DH wouldn't be at all averse to having ESPN. I don't know if TV has ruined our attention spans, but I think multitasking is tied in.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I don't have a TV. But I do have the Internet and am in college so I have lots of bandwidth to watch TV on the web. Which is possibly worse than regular TV because if you find a series you like, you can watch all the episodes at once...
ReplyDeleteI don't watch a lot of actual TV when it's on. I prefer seasons of stuff on DVD and movies. :P
ReplyDeleteCommercials irritate me. We luckily don't get cable.
The downside, of course, is that when I DO get a shiny new show or movie, I'm inclined to watch waaay too much TV that way and get nothing done.
And don't get me started now that I have discovered that certain networks like 4KidsTV has shows online... *cough*
I use shows or movies I've seen and enjoy as treats or to relax sometimes when my brain is mush and I can't focus on reading or something else.
Sorry, I ramble. :P
Looking forward to Mon's contest. And wheee, I actually have something I might enter. It'll be, uh, interesting to say the least...
Thanks again for the wonderful blog, Authoress. O:)
~Merc
I have a question about time zones!
ReplyDeleteWhen can we submit on Monday. Because I think I'm ahead of you (time zone-wise) and I'll be at work. BUt I really want to get my 250 words posted.
What can I do? *insert pout*
Chelle,
ReplyDeleteI always post the call at 9 AM EST. So whatever that means for you, that's the start of submissions. 2 PM London, I think? And some time yesterday a year ago, Thailand. :P
TV is a brain-sucking, time-wasting, sub-talent-offering bane to any person's existence -- and especially the creative type.
ReplyDelete______________________________
Huh... see, I'm the opposite.
We have cable and I'll watch the history channel or the travel channel - mainly to feed that part of the imagination that books don't reach.
And yes, I rather enjoy having the hockey game on while I'm working. God gave us two eyes for a reason.
We went to cable, because regular TV was mostly garbage.
Re/British programs - most of them can be seen on You Tube. :]
My current fave is - To the Manor Born.
Hi Authoress,
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time leaving a comment, though I've been reading for awhile now. Thanks for the great community venue and all the wonderful information and links. I've been learning a lot.
My hubby has ADD, but lots of things fall under its category, and he deals with it just fine.
ReplyDeleteThanks for creating such a great community, Authoress! Can't wait to see all those entries!
Kat--It's BOUQUET!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Authoress for all your work to create a productive writing community!
ReplyDeleteI am among the TV watchers. I do have a few programs I watch in the evening, but I know I'd likely get more writing done if I didn't.
ReplyDeleteStill, I try to do my writing when the kiddies are in school so my evenings can be wasted on mindless dribble pouring forth from the square box of the television. ;-)
It isn't the shows on TV I hate, it's the commercials. We don't have TV. No reception at all. Our set is used for watching movies and (coincidence?) old British sit-coms. Oh, a few old American shows, too. (Hubby loves Dobie Gillis)
ReplyDeleteThere are all sorts of time-wasters around, the internet being a big one. It's all a matter of discipline in the long run. But I'm sure glad to know we're not the only ones who would rather read than watch TV. :)
I, too, despise television and I'm glad to know I'm not alone. It is a brain-sucking monster and will turn anyone into a dullard but the real tragedy is plopping young children down in front of it to keep them "occupied". I've seen too many little faces glazed over with a vacant television stare. Sad bordering on criminal. I watch some news and CNN at work but that's it. Tim Russert used to be part of my Sun. morning and I do miss him. Oh, and Masterpiece Theatre on Sun. nights when I get a chance.
ReplyDelete