EP0024 Writer’s Notebook: Some Thoughts on a Media Diet (Reading) - Chapter 23 by James Garside

A manifesto for cutting down on everything

“But I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can’t stand it. I been there before.”

― Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Light out for the Territory.

Practical advice for writers who are drowning in the internet.

The internet is a glitterball of distraction. You know how much you like shiny things. It’s a wonder you ever get any work done.

Unplug. Disappear. Turn off the news. Come off social media. Let your phone go to voicemail.

Friendship doesn’t scale online. The news is the same handful of stories on repeat. The only relationship worth cultivating is between you and your muse.

Obsess about your characters instead of celebrities. It’s more interesting and less illegal.

No Buddhism required. Though I do quote a wise Buddhist monk nonetheless. Ok, so I may be lying about that.

Trust me, I’m a professional.

This episode is brought to you by:

Nobody.

Links:

Original: Writer’s Notebook: Some Thoughts on a Media Diet

Substack: jamesgarside.substack.com

Medium: medium.com/@jamesgarside_

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@jamesgarside

Web: jamesgarside.net

Chapter 23 by James Garside. A regular series of irregular thoughts. Could be anything. Mostly rants. Warning: May contain traces of sarcasm. Chapter 23 is a multimedia project by James Garside. Journalist, Author, Writer. Part-time vagabond, full-time grumpy arse. Would you care for a cup of tea? I write about everything from art, culture, and politics to tech, travel, and the occult. Sometimes in ways that get me into trouble. I’m also funny — I probably should’ve led with that. I help writers and artists to do their best work. Let’s be part of each other’s stories. More at: jamesgarside.net