We all know what it’s like to start a new blog. One minute you have thoughts of a paperless desk, being your own boss, and letting your thoughts wander as you work - slash - vacation in the tropics somewhere.

For many of us the reality quickly kicks in. Rather than being less chained to a desk we are more stuck to it. And what’s more - we’re much more bleary eyed there, as we struggle to keep up with a literally endless amount of catching up on writing blogs, answering emails, and fighting spam. (I once joked that I was going to paste all my spam into a physical scrapbook - it was such an interesting - and revealing - reflection on life today).

Well, fortunately there is a way to that ‘other’ side of blogging. It might take a step ‘backwards’ into the past to get to that future. 

The first step into that freedom was a simple realization - that the computer was my publishing platform - but it needn’t be the place that I write. We all know about novelists who prefer word processors to typewriters, or pen and paper to a PC. It is said the quality of the writing changes with each technique - ‘hot’ and fast on a keyboard, ‘logical’ and careful on a  typewriter, and slow and meditative with a pen.

I’ve found the same is just as true for blogging. But the greatest difference I see is that blogging on paper creates a fundamental life balance difference. Firstly, being away from your computer means that you are away from checking your email on an hourly basis. And, contrary to what you think, the world doesn’t stop if you do. People soon realize that you are one of those ’slow’ emailers, and adjust their expectations accordingly. Perhaps they text you. Call you up on the phone - or perhaps they find their own way of solving a problem.

Secondly, ‘blogging on paper’ lets you forget the world of Twitter, Digg, and Facebook for a while, and refocus your attention back on life. One of the best investments I ever made was not a URL but a simple black notebook I wrote “blog” on the cover of. When I’m walking, shopping, or just lying in bed, out comes a black book just like it. Thoughts can be captured for a moment, but life isn’t interrupted. On the contrary, the act of writing (and pressing one of my new favorite things - fountain pens - onto paper) is a constant delight and reconnection with things. As nice as a mac laptop is, it still hasn’t got that good yet.

For example, this blog entry was written at 6:30 am, watching the sun come up over the inner city with a good coffee, waiting for my partner to to wakem in her apartment. Sure, it was typed later (also giving some good settling time, and a later chance to edit). But it came about from remembering my realization that a break from the computer was that first step that allowed me to become one of ‘those’ people you meet - from time to time - who never seem to do anything, and yet get such a whole lot done.

Think about it - a novelist may publish on a printing press, but she or he never writes there. Similarly, might we be making a mistake in assuming that blogs must be written on a computer? 

One more thought, and it is - of all things - Jim Unger, the creator of Herman cartoon. Unger achieved creative zen by giving up the rat race and moving to the Bahamas. Newspaper editors would receive (sometimes variable transmission quality) faxes - as the work was sent from somewhere by the beach. the work-life balance in that scenario was between drawing six comics a week or sipping martinis (so they say).

I’m sure the success of a widely syndicated hit allowed some pressure to come off. But whatever the reality, I still let my mental image of Unger, sitting by a beach, letting the ink dry, and later using the hotel the fax machine to deal with New York work politics be my guide.

If you’re interested in ways to keep your freedom blogging, stay tuned for a feature I’m planning on writing for it soon. Otherwise, I’d be interested in your tips.