Wasted Time
I’m becoming more and more aware of just how much time I spend on the internet on a daily basis and I’m truly shocked by what I see. 
I’m spending HOURS on the internet. Not just one or two, but a whole lot more. The internet has become this huge, endless vortex of information (some of it good, a whole lot of it completely useless!), and it’s also become a huge mainstay of my life. And not necessarily in a good way since I’m noticing just how much time I’m wasting cruising the World Wide Web. 
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love the internet and having access to just about everything I could possibly need or think of. And I’ve met so many great people via email and the internet that I never would have met otherwise. 
Researching something for a book is a breeze and just a matter of “googling” a topic to get the information I need - - and then some. Most of my shopping is done over the internet, and I love the fact that I can now comparison shop and find the best prices in the comfort of my own home before buying something - - instead of driving from store to store in search of what I’m looking for. The downside to that is that I probably buy far more than I need, because of that “easy access”. 
Another downside is the fact that I work at home, on my computer, which makes the internet such a great procrastination tool. It’s just one click away at all times. 
I can spend hours reading other people’s blogs (and of course THEY have links to even more blogs that sound interesting and I must read!), checking my book stats on Amazon and reading reviews, shopping for things I don’t really need, spend time clicking around MySpace, seeing what’s new at QVC or on Ebay, and checking my email way too many times. 
You get my drift. I can waste hours on the internet doing everything under the sun, but nothing that matters in the big scheme of things. All those hours just becomes “wasted time”, and I honestly, truly, hate that. Yet, I can’t stop myself! 
I can hardly remember what I did with all the time I had before the internet became such an addiction, and that’s what I’m beginning to believe it is for me, personally. An addiction. Something I can’t live without. 
Which is ridiculous because I lived without the internet for 30+ years and did just fine! In fact, I know I had more time to do other things that I no longer do for LACK of time. Like read two books a week (now I’m lucky if I read 1 a month!), or doing a complicated cross-stitch project, which I used to love to do! I haven’t cross-stitched in years, and I miss creating those projects –but it all takes time that I no longer have. Because of how much time I now spend cruising the internet! 
I know I can’t be alone in my addiction. There has to be a few of you out there that are nodding your heads because you completely understand my dilemma. 
So here’s a few questions for you all to ponder, and answer, today. How many hours do you spend on the internet every day? Do you feel it has become an obsession/addiction for you? And what would you do with all the FREE time you had in a day as a result of not having the internet any longer to distract you and suck up your time?
Janelle, it used to be a lot more than it is now. My excuse is that since I don’t watch t.v much anymore, I filled in that time with the web. Now I’ve cut back quite a bit, so for play, during the week, I’m probably surfing about 2 hours a day. Weekends vary, but considerably less, especially when it’s nice outside. I might not even turn on my computer the whole weekend. I spend that time with friends or reading or even watching something from Netflix.
What would I do instead of blogging? Not sure, maybe find a p/t job or something again. I’m quite happy with myself now that I’ve weaned myself away, so I’m okay with my current web usage. If it was as bad as before, I know I’d be missing out on a lot of time with friends and family which I would regret.
Comment by Stacy ~ — September 27, 2007 @ 6:31 am
I spend about an hour a day. I check e-mail and check out my favorite sites. Like yesterday I started doing the disney quiz and then 1/4 of the way thru I stopped - it was just taking up too much of my time. Besides Bionic Woman (which rocked) was coming on.
Comment by Liz — September 27, 2007 @ 6:53 am
Oh, yeah, I feel your pain. I’m addicted. I have at least 6 sites that I have to visit each morning or I can’t get my day on. I play games online. I devour blogs until my eyes are crossed. Google agents to see if anyone has said anything witty that makes me think I need to query them (In my spare time, after I tear myself away from the results!). Check publisher/author websites to see if there’s anything great out there that I just have to have or anything that is close to what I’m writing. I have to stop the madness, but I’m totally addicted.
Comment by Becca — September 27, 2007 @ 7:28 am
The internet is a time sucking evil monster. But I love it and must have it. It’s like a crack addiction. I’m on all day since I write all day. If it goes down, I go through withdrawal. *whimper*
Truly, it’s sad.
Comment by Jaci Burton — September 27, 2007 @ 8:06 am
Oh, geeze, I hear you Janelle. I check my e-mail several times a day including e-mail loops. If an author or blog is mentioned that I’m not familiar with of course I have to check it out. I read news items, look at the weather, shop, check out who is on the bestseller lists, agent web sites, HQ to see the new releases…I’m totally pathetic.
But mostly I use the internet when my muse hides in the closet drinking tequila, smoking cigarettes and watching DVD’s because I don’t have a deadline. I NEED deadlines and the tighter the better.
The internet is wonderful but I confess here and now that I’m an Internetaholic. I used to play games but I went on a 12 step program and I’ve been clean for months.
I have to check the Plotmonkeys absolutely before I can get on with my day. Speaking of Plotmonkeys, I received Sealed with a Kiss in the mail yesterday.
Have a great day everyone,
Cher
Comment by Cher — September 27, 2007 @ 8:09 am
I too am an addict ~ I am on the computer at work all day 10+ hours. Although I guess since I’m not on the web ~ it shouldn’t count right?!
But after I get home then it is the web. I have to check my email (two sites) along with Plot Monkeys. Then of course it is Ebay, the Dog Channel, and Pogo. It is amazing how time flies when you are surfing.
But I love it
Comment by Shelley — September 27, 2007 @ 8:25 am
I’m a total internet addict, and have no plans to give it up. I actually checked my email at 5:30 this morning. I have internet access at work, so when things are slow I’m checking emails and blogs(several times a day). I usually don’t spend much time on the internet on the weekends. I will check sites and email a few times a day, but nothing like the work week.
Comment by Liza — September 27, 2007 @ 8:49 am
I agree
is an addiction
I haven’t been on alot latley since my son has started football and I have no more access to the internet at work
Comment by Cherylann — September 27, 2007 @ 8:54 am
Oh, Janelle, this is such a personal thing for me! I’m so totally addicted that I’ve had to ground myself from it at times. Like last week, one day I posted on here that I wasn’t allowed to come back until I’d finished a scene I was working on. And I got that scene done in record time so I could get back on the net. The same with my RWA online site. I do the same thing there…I can’t get back on and check the boards until I’ve done…
I don’t even want to know how many hours I spend online. Now, in my defense, a lot of it is research and I do learn tons and tons about the publishing business but I probably don’t need to check out the blogs every hour on the hour.
It’s most evident when I’m at the river and I have to walk down to the neighbors to steal their internet access. But on Sat. I have to read this blog (and often!) and then there’s the weather to check and if I’m writing I can’t pull up the dictionary w/o internet
.
Yes…
it’s really, really bad…. 
Comment by Jodie — September 27, 2007 @ 9:40 am
I spend a lot of time on the internet, but mostly doing email. That’s how I communicate with my sons’ teachers, friends who live far away, autism groups, etc. Plus, I am addicted to a couple of blogs
gotta check out plotmonkeys before I get the kids!
Comment by katie — September 27, 2007 @ 9:43 am
Oh Janelle, I could have written your post today! I honestly have considered unhooking my modem and giving the wires to Bruce or the girls to take to school or work with them!
When we first moved in, there was so much to do that I would go a couple of days without doing more than checking email once or twice a day. Since I’m trying to get back to “work” however and am planted with the computer on my lap, I find it soooooooo hard to focus just on the work and not on surfing away! I don’t do internet shopping all the time, but just as I was cruising looking for house stuff a few months ago, now I’m looking at Halloween. And right after that I’ll be Christmas shopping!
I am thinking the idea of just cutting off my internet access by unhooking every day is not a bad idea…
Comment by Leslie — September 27, 2007 @ 10:21 am
Janelle, I’m on the computer at work all day, some work but mostly play, so I try, key word being try, not to be on the internet so much once I’m home, but somedays I just can’t help myself
Julie, While I was watching tv last night I saw a commerical for a new disney movie called Enchanted that looked really interesting, and I thought of you. I searched for it today on yahoo and this is the little description they gave:
The tale follows the beautiful princess Giselle as she is banished by an evil queen from her magical, musical animated land–and finds herself in the gritty reality of the streets of modern-day Manhattan. Shocked by this strange new environment that doesn’t operate on a “happily ever after” basis, Giselle is now adrift in a chaotic world badly in need of enchantment. But when Giselle begins to fall in love with a charmingly flawed divorce lawyer who has come to her aid–even though she is already promised to a perfect fairy tale prince back home–she has to wonder: can a storybook view of romance survive in the real world?
There is a trailer at yahoo movies if anyone wanted to check it out.
Comment by Tina Martinesi — September 27, 2007 @ 10:27 am
Leslie — I think you have the best idea of all. Unhook the internet!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who is weak and undisciplined when it comes to the internet.
Comment by Janelle — September 27, 2007 @ 10:42 am
Leslie - unhook it and I bet you find yourself driving around the neighborhood trying to find a neighbor that you can leach off of! See my earlier post about being at the river.
Comment by Jodie — September 27, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Jodie — You take internet addiction to new heights!
Comment by Janelle — September 27, 2007 @ 11:01 am
I used to be addicted when I worked from home.
Now I am 1/3 addicted well maybe 1/2
Which half ? Must be the bottom half as it is actually showing
signs of spreading.
What I do now is limit myself to the Plotmonkey Blog
I do shop and do eBay and of course the book stores
I’m sure I would read more if I surfed less but compared to most
I’m not all that bad. I just had to set limits. I check email once at mid day.
Janelle maybe we have the time to internet ’cause we don’t have to drive
and waste time looking for what we want. No more library either.
Heck, I even picked Zoey out online.
A really good thing.
9 more hours and my vacation starts.
I am so excited. I have never ever had a full month before.
Carly’s Sealed With a Kiss is my first read.
then Lover Unbound and then I am going to work on my tbr pile.
Hugs to all!
Comment by jeannie and Zoey — September 27, 2007 @ 12:17 pm
Janelle and everyone, I’m so addicted, too. I definitely have had to limit myself sometimes (not that it works terribly well!) I could probably clear the baby’s room out of all the random piles of clothes if I didn’t spend the hours glued to the keyboard… might have to go get started now…
Comment by Fedora — September 27, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
yes i am lol. if not surfing, watching tv.
Comment by kim h — September 27, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
Janelle, I think I only spend about 1 hour a day. One reason is that I don’t buy much online. I tried buying new books that way (particularly, with how hard it is to actually ever find the book you want without hitting 5 Borders, etc.), but, unfortunately, the online stores don’t SEND them so that they’ll arrive on the laydown date, they just start the mailing process on that day, & I don’t want to wait for it. My online exception is the Upcoming Books procedure at HQ, where I can get it BEFORE it gets to the stores (unfortunately, it doesn’t allow HQN to participate in this–I hear because the sales can’t compete for the Top 10, etc. polls).
I have read several other posts that speak to spending way too much time online, & one author said she sets a kitchen timer, & makes herself turn off when it rings. I think this may be a good idea, as I use a timer for watering the lawn, getting out the washed clothes to hang them out, etc., as I find it easy to forget to do these things without it. Anyway, just a suggestion for you to try.
I, too, can understand ‘net addiction. There’s always so much to learn….
My downfall is always the MLB/Dodgers board, where only fans can understand how frustrating it is to put up with Grady Little’s managing…LOL
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — September 27, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
Oh my gosh, Janelle, yes, I’m obsessed too. But not badly. Besides email, which I check incessantly, there’s only a few places I visit during the day. I’m not an online shopper at all. I much prefer to go out and about, so that’s one thing I don’t have to worry about. And really, depending on my frame of mind, some days I’ll surf the web much longer than others. If I’m stuck in my current WIP, I’ll cross over to the dark side pretty quickly.
Comment by Robin — September 27, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
Blogging and the writer loops are the worst! I probably spend anywhere from two to six hours a day. At least I can say I’m doing other things on my computer at the same time, like working, which I am, and at least part of that is late at night, but it’s still too much.
Yet I would feel so isolated from people who share my interests without the Internet. I wouldn’t learn about all these great new book releases. And I certainly wouldn’t have had access to such great writing advice–via online classes, email, and yes, blogs–so I think it’s valuable. I just have to find a way to contain it because I’m definitely experiencing “blog creep”. The number of blogs I read regularly keeps increasing.
Patricia W
Comment by Patricia W — September 27, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
that’s a great question and I’ve never thought about how much time I exactly spend on the internet. It somehow was second nature to me. But now after thinking about it I guess I spend about an hour daily. I wouldn’t have thought that it is that much and now after being aware of it (thanks to you )
I think I have to shorten it. But don’t worry that doesn’t mean that I will stop reading your blogs.
And now a few words to everybody out there: If you have had a stressful week like me; we’ve almost make it trough. Only one more day and then finally WEEKEND
Have a great and safe day
See you
Comment by Vero — September 27, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
I love the Internet & have no plans to give it up! Everyday I must check my two blogs, Plotmonkeys & Jill Shalvis. I get lots of emails from sites I signed on, to many from one but they are for help in decluttering my house & of course I get emails from friends and family. I would miss it but don’t think I am to bad with my habit- - could that be wishful thinking?!!
There are a lot of good people I have met online, mostly from eHarlequin & it is fun to “talk” with other people that love to read. It is a thrill to be able to correspond with authors that write such good books. I’m am so happy when anyone responds to my comments about the book I just read that they wrote. Shopping on line is so easy, no traffic hassle, there is not the temptation to buy things I didn’t plan on & it is very helpful in job hunting.
Great discussion! Thanks Janelle.
Comment by Donna M — September 27, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
Janelle: as I was re-reading this post (yeah, I check back during the day as time allows!)…I got to thinking…how do authors feel about blogs…do they feel as if they can ‘connect’ more with their audience or do they feel that it is ‘just another thing to do”? Do you get more satisfaction from being able to ‘communicate’ with your readers? Obviously, I have way too much time on my hands….
Comment by katie — September 27, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
Actually, that’s a great question, Katie, and one that Carly and I were just discussing. We absolutely love our blog and the people who visit and post.
For us, it’s a definite labor of love — and not something we think of as “something else we have to do”. We honestly get just as much enjoyment out of this blog and everyone’s posts as you all do. 
So, yes, we love being able to connect directly with our readers, and this blog has enabled us to do that in a fun, casual atmosphere!
Comment by Janelle — September 27, 2007 @ 3:18 pm
I spend hours as well. If I cut back I would probably get more reading done but I would miss my addiction too much.
Comment by Cherie J — September 27, 2007 @ 3:23 pm
Katie, Janelle and I were just talking on the phone about how rewarding the plotmonkeys blog has been and how much we love our readers here, and how fortunate we are!
Comment by Carly — September 27, 2007 @ 3:43 pm
then I’m shutting off my cellphone and my boss can
kiss my
goodbye for a whole month.
Comment by jeannie and Zoey — September 27, 2007 @ 4:25 pm
Oh, Janelle, I go back and forth on this issue all the time. I’m stretched so thin between the FT job, writing and the family that I often feel I shouldn’t be cruising the blogs at all. At times, I’ve deleted all my bookmarks and cut myself off all the loops. Then I fear I’m missing information and/or opportunities to get to know people in the writing community. I should be networking, making friends, putting myself out there and maybe creating opportunities to do projects with other writers, or in general, getting to know the people I “work with”. So then I creep back. I tell myself I’ll limit the places I go until slowly, one person mentions a cool blog, then another, and I’m back spending way too much time surfing when I should be plotting books (or doing my job, or cleaning my house, or spending time with the boy….).
I’ve now resigned myself that I will continue to ebb and flow when it comes to internet surfing. I’ll get out there until life gets too tight and then I’ll pull back in for a while. This is just the way it’s going to be.
Comment by Lori Borrill — September 27, 2007 @ 4:28 pm
I have my favorite blogs and email each day, which adds up to about 2 hours. If I weren’t on the internet I would be reading.
Comment by Estella — September 27, 2007 @ 4:38 pm
OMG, when I stopped to think about it, I came up with at least 2 hours a day online! WOW, I didn’t know it was that much. I’m going to have to use my internet time as a reward-when I get so much done on the WIP.
Comment by Kay — September 27, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
Oh, ditto, Katie. I LOVE the community we have here and really look forward to hearing from each and every one of you every day!
I think one of these days we need to have a “get to know us” day where everybody shares a little more about themselves, where they’re from, etc., inviting “lurkers” to jump in!!
Comment by Leslie — September 27, 2007 @ 5:04 pm
Carly and Janelle:
Well, I enjoy posting…some days I have to kick my oldest off of the computer just to check the blog!
Leslie: LOL! I swear, if you guys had a plotmonkeys party at convention, you’d realize I am so boring!
Hope you guys have a great day!
Comment by katie — September 27, 2007 @ 5:13 pm
Katie - do you read the Stephanie Plum series? In one of the later books she has a great line. I can’t remember the exact wording, but she was talking about how “normal” her mother was and she said something like, “She’s the bran muffin that allows Grandma and me to be the jelly rolls.” I wish I could remember it exactly but it’s a great line and it’s not just in families but in humanity as a whole that there needs to be a balance.
“Boring or Normal” people balance our eccentric. “Quiet” balances out “boisterous”. “Calm” balance out “ADD”. There’s nothing wrong with any kind of person, every one balances and complements someone else.
Comment by Jodie — September 27, 2007 @ 6:20 pm
There’s a serious person out there somewhere that balances out my flaky self - who hit the submit button before I re-read to make sure it said what I wanted.
I heard my hamburger sizzle and instead of jumping up to the stove I jumped to the submit button! 
Anyway, I hope what I said made sense. Have a great night everyone!!
Comment by Jodie — September 27, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
Julie - I just started reading “Line of Fire” and I love the letter to the readers at the beginning where you warn them that your books contain a “little heat.” Glad you went on to correct it for “a lot of heat!”
Comment by Jodie — September 27, 2007 @ 6:28 pm
I like the jelly roll to bran muffin description.
I wonder what food we would all think ourselves as.
Maybe we’d have difficulty keeping that one out of the
I know I am being a pain in the
V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N
Gee No one has mentioned Grey’s is on tonight!
Comment by jeannie and Zoey — September 27, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
Have a FABULOUS vacation, Jeannie! Will you still be able to stop by Plotmonkeys? If not, we’ll miss you!!!
Comment by Janelle — September 27, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
LOL Jeannie I tried to mention Grey’s earlier but my computer wouldn’t cooperate and Ugly Betty was starting so I said the heck with it! Hope you have a great vacation!!!
So what did everyone think of Grey?? I know all the Izzy haters won’t like the ending but I squealed with delite
So who else thinks that Korev will have an affair with Christina??
And Ugly Betty just made me cry
Comment by Tina Martinesi — September 27, 2007 @ 11:01 pm
Who, me?? Yeah.
Instead of reading a book every day or so, I am on here.
Since I went back to work, it is actually easier to push myself away. I get on before I leave, like now, and when I get home.
What I do do, is spend wayyyy too much time on Pogo.
And shopping. We just won’t even go there.
Comment by ev — September 28, 2007 @ 5:13 am
I spend alot of time online (I don’t even want to tally up the hours) and yes I am addicted to it. I honestly wouldn’t want to be without it though because it’s fun and interesting. I would probably read and watch more movies if the internet didn’t exist but then I be able to write up my musings on the book, movie, or music on my blog and listen to music from the books, watch interviews and special features from movies, etc. It’s just too much fun and too interesting to give up!
Hey at least I’m usually learning something everyday!
Comment by Ladytink_534 — September 28, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Oh Lordy Janelle. I used to read more. Watch TV more. Now I spend all night on the computer. Am I addicted? Yes. I admit I am. You dont want to see me when I dont get email cause Yahell is acting up….or if something goes wrong with my computer…or its a holiday weekend and people actually have the nerve to have lives outside of their computers! Its scary this addiction….really scary LOL
Mo
Comment by Mo Boylan — September 30, 2007 @ 12:06 am