unplugged

I’m taking the month off from the Web.

It’s a radical thing to do, but there it is. I’ve got a novel to write–one that is coming to find me at all sorts of crazy hours, one that is waiting on the edges of daily life for me to turn around and give it some attention.

And it’s not just waiting–more and more, it’s talking to me.  In dreams.  At the kitchen sink washing dishes.  Driving carpool.  It’s almost like having flashes of memory, and the flashes definitely feel like magic, and the story is ready.  I’ve been holding off until I’d finished most of my events for Get Lucky.  And now, it’s time.

I really do love to blog, and take photos, and make videos, and Tweet.  It’s amazing the people you can find through all those channels.  But it’s also very distracting.  You’re typing a blog post, and your email dings, and there’s a link in the message, and then you have to Tweet about the link, and then suddenly it’s 3 hours later.

I have some fun online projects coming up in July, so I’ll be back then. I hope you won’t totally forget about me.  It feels a little risky, just disappearing for a month.  But it’s so appealing, as well, to just go back to a quieter, more personal, less out there kind of existence.

And getting to go into the story and watch it come to life?  I can hardly wait.

1. 

   meredith winn says:

   May 31, 2010 at 9:57 pm

   “It’s almost like having flashes of memory, and the flashes definitely feel like magic, and the story is ready.”

   i love this feeling, more than anything in the world. it’s like remembering all at once that you are tapped into something quite larger than life.

   good stuff! i’m cheering you on and i’ll be here in a month when you return!

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2. 

   Julie Duck says:

   May 31, 2010 at 10:19 pm

   You are so brave!!! I need to do the same thing. The daily distractions of blogging, tweeting, Facebook updates, emails, IMs, text messages… it goes on and on. I’m in the middle of writing a nonfiction book proposal and find it so hard to keep focused. I might try a week. Gosh, it’ll be like quitting smoking all over again! LOL! See you next month, and good luck with your writing!

   - Julie

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3. 

   Diane Schuller says:

   May 31, 2010 at 10:24 pm

   Great decision and I definitely applaud you. Write reams!!

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4. 

   Kirsten Michelle says:

   May 31, 2010 at 10:44 pm

   a story that won’t wait…love this!
   see you in a month’s time.xo

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5. 

   dani says:

   June 1, 2010 at 8:27 am

   I will miss you! Have a good June!

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6. 

   Bonnie McMillian says:

   June 1, 2010 at 8:41 am

   Hi Katherine – Will you continue to check email, tweets, comments, etc.? I understand your need to disconnect – but when I start to imagine myself doing it, it seems a bit complicated. What boundaries would I set? I would probably have to lock away my iphone and computer in a closet!

   Have a wonderful, peaceful and productive break! Can’t wait for the new book!

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   Katherine Center Reply:
   June 1st, 2010 at 8:58 am

   I know! The logistics are going to be tricky. My plan is to turn off my email until I’m finished with work for the day and respond to messages that need responses at night. As for Tweeting, once you start thinking in Tweets, it’s hard to stop. I will check my Twitter @ replies probably once a day and respond politely–but I will try not to generate Tweets! And I don’t have an iPhone! So hopefully these boundaries will work. Fingers crossed!

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   Bonnie McMillian Reply:
   June 1st, 2010 at 12:02 pm

   Sounds like a good plan! BTW – just saw Dr. Injac this morning (camp physical). Told him I saw his name in your acknowledgements and he was unaware! He’s a great guy and such a nice doc. My son is almost 13, so I left him in Dr. I’s capable hands during the physical exam. (Mom’s presence was not desired – whaaa! – my son is now as tall as I am and so independent.)
   It’s a good thing.

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7. 

   Katherine Center says:

   June 1, 2010 at 9:00 am

   Thanks for the good wishes, everybody! It kinda feels like jumping off a cliff! (But in a good way.) Happy summer!

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8. 

   Wendy says:

   June 1, 2010 at 9:02 am

   Good for you for unplugging – the digital age is definitely a distraction! And for those of us who are your biggest fans, we’ll forgive the silence if it means another great book is on its way to us Don’t worry, you won’t be forgotten!!

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9. 

   melissa says:

   June 1, 2010 at 9:08 am

   happy incubation. wishing you joy and ease as you connect to your life, story and loves this month. will absolutely be waiting with an open heart when you return in july.

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10. 

    teachingwithsoul says:

    June 1, 2010 at 9:10 am

    I totally agree with @Wendy! I would add that you must give voice (and time) to your passion…that’s why you’re here on this earth. You bring joy, tears, smiles to so many of us through your work. Can’t let the digital distraction pull you off course. Enjoy this wonderful time of writing and reflection. We will all be here when you get back…:-)

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11. 

    Anj (@anjwrites) says:

    June 1, 2010 at 10:15 am

    Will miss you and your photos, tweets, blogs, etc….but then again I KNEW there must be some way that you could put out such amazing novels (i.e. at least a few weeks away from Social Media).

    By the time you’re back, I’ll be completely moved to Australia…and will begin my pro bono “Katherine Center is Amazing” publicity tour down there Let me know if ever you’re thinking of a tour there (and/or if you have a publisher in Oz) because I’d love to help in any way I can.

    Enjoy your time unplugged…

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12. 

    Bev says:

    June 1, 2010 at 10:33 am

    My first readings after retiring last month were your three books. Today I am mailing them to my daughter because we love to discuss our favorites. Relatively new to your blog, I waited until the last one was published to read all three…interesting exercise, that. The growth in your writing was nearly as fascinating as the stories and characters themselves!

    Enjoy the focus and exhilaration of putting down that story that occupies your mind…I can imagine but few internal processes more rewarding than that.

    I too will be here when you return!

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13. 

    SavannahB says:

    June 2, 2010 at 9:51 am

    I agree with Wendy, also!

    While (selfishly) I hate the idea of a disconnect from blogs/tweeps I enjoy, I really (also selfishly) love that a favorite author of mine is taking time away to provide a better book for readers, and a better life for herself and her family.

    Enjoy! See you on the other side…

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14. 

    angie mizzell says:

    June 2, 2010 at 9:25 pm

    How exciting! I keep waiting for them to make a patch to curb my addiction to the internet. Your fans will still be here when you get back… the fact that you’re off bringing your next novel to life gives me goosebumps!

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15. 

    LLH Designs says:

    June 3, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    We’ll all be here when you reconnect. And guess what? We could never forget about you…even if you didn’t come back for many months! Hope you’re enjoying the magical moments of real life to the FULLEST! xo…Linsey

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16. 

    Jean at The Delightful Repast says:

    June 3, 2010 at 5:33 pm

    I just found you and now you’re gone! Have a fantastic month. Sounds right in step with your “You are writing the story of your life every single minute of every single day.”

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17. 

    michelle says:

    June 15, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    I couldn’t let go of Get Lucky and ended up finishing it in a day. I’m so glad to hear that you’re working on another novel. Can’t wait!

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18. 

    Jess Riley says:

    June 18, 2010 at 11:33 pm

    Enjoy!!!

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19. 

    Lisa says:

    July 1, 2010 at 8:22 pm

    Is it just a little crazy that when I realized that today was July 1, my first thought was that I missed you all during your June Hiatus?

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