I believe it was Ray Bradbury that said writing is one of the few human activities that "resists collaboration."

I get that, especially when my editors try to buddy-up to my work and take an active role in shaping it.

Recently I've been tracking and participating in online discussion groups populated by writers and editors. If these folks are truly into their occupations, how do they find time to chum around with their peers?

I think they're making a Faustian pact, of sorts. Breaking out of the isolation that comes with the literary life entails being taken away from that very literary life. How can you write your book if you're occupied bantering with your colleagues about the superiority of big-house publishers versus self-publishing?

What happens to your concentration when you're paying too much attention to those that are or are not paying attention to your posts?

Frankly, talking about writing is fun. Actors get together and chat about plays and movies and casting calls, so why can't writers groan and gloat in each other's company?

Because, according to a Chinese saying: "Talk Doesn't Cook Rice."

Or, staying with culinary connotations, "Man must wait for a long time with open mouth for a roast duck to fly in!"

These chat groups are huge PROCRASTINATION STATIONS. But unlike Grand Central, they're swarming with writers whose careers aren't going anywhere, and despite protestations to the contrary, they aren't "making connections," either.

Remember what adults used to say if they saw you on the street between 9 and 3:

"Shouldn't you be in school, right now?"

I'm asking: "Shouldn't you be WRITING" instead of reading this?

When we signed up for the literary life we also agreed to live a lonely one-at least during productive hours.

So buck up, back off, and buckle down.

See you in print!