The Undiscovered Country

Risky Business

Since I decided to avoid Facebook for a year, a few people have warned me that I will lose friends due to lack of activity, and potential publishers won't want to publish my novels, because I'll have a reduced online presence.

All valid concerns.

If I used Facebook to market my books, absolutely taking a break is a bad idea. Since I have no books to market, it's really not an issue. All my friends are literally that (and family), so short of death, I doubt I'll lose any of them. The nice thing is, I've had more positive feedback than negative when I posted my intention. If it were mostly negative, then I'd rethink my decision.

As for an online presence to potential publishers, sure taking a year hiatus is a risk. Facebook isn't the end-all-be-all of social media, however. There are a slew of others such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

Even if it were, there comes a time for a person to prioritize, and in doing so, sacrifices need to be made. To keep myself focused on my spiritual journey as well as my writing, Facebook is one such sacrifice. Will I regret it in the end? Maybe, but I doubt it. I need to look at life and my actions in terms of eternity, not simply the here and now -- or a mere one year in the future.

Lately I've tried to model my own life after Jesus'. He, too, had to take a break now and again to renew his strength and spirit. Maybe not for a year at a time, but his ministry didn't start until he was 30 years old. Before that, I'm sure he spent many of his adult years learning and growing so he could have the best ministry possible.

Writing is my ministry, and I feel that my ministry has suffered because I'm too busy delving into the daily details and distractions of life. There's nothing wrong with taking a step back and taking stock once in a while. I'll still be writing. I'll still be posting entries here and my other blog on my website. I'll be sharing those entries on Twitter and LinkedIn. I may even set up a Pinterest account.

I'm not disappearing, I'm merely closing one window in a room full of them.