As noted in an earlier blog post, I recently signed a book contract to write a romantic thriller. I’m super excited to be branching out into a different genre than strictly romantic suspense. I’m also apprehensive, because I’m not good dealing with change. The result of this anxiety is my good friend, procrastination.
I never thought I was a procrastinator until I started my writing career. Even then, I kept putting off submitting my work for more years than I should have, always afraid of rejection. Now that I’m working on my fifth book, which is already contracted, you’d think I’d be racing toward the finish line. You’d be wrong.
Once again, I’m in the grips of major procrastination. This time it’s because I’m going into the unknown. I’ve never written a thriller/adventure/romance. My plot involves international terror cells. I don’t know much about that subject. I’ve researched it enough to feel confident, yet still I search for alternate activities to writing. I’m my own worst enemy.
My husband seems to know that better than I do. He tells me I wait until the last minute on more than just writing. For example, going on trips. I pack ahead, but on the day of departure I’m always racing against the clock to get out on time. There’s always one more thing to check before I leave.
I never thought I was a procrastinator until I started my writing career. Even then, I kept putting off submitting my work for more years than I should have, always afraid of rejection. Now that I’m working on my fifth book, which is already contracted, you’d think I’d be racing toward the finish line. You’d be wrong.
Once again, I’m in the grips of major procrastination. This time it’s because I’m going into the unknown. I’ve never written a thriller/adventure/romance. My plot involves international terror cells. I don’t know much about that subject. I’ve researched it enough to feel confident, yet still I search for alternate activities to writing. I’m my own worst enemy.
My husband seems to know that better than I do. He tells me I wait until the last minute on more than just writing. For example, going on trips. I pack ahead, but on the day of departure I’m always racing against the clock to get out on time. There’s always one more thing to check before I leave.
Like most good procrastinators, I keep busy. Busy on anything but what I’m supposed to be working on, that is. If I’m supposed to be writing, I find myself on social media, or going down the rabbit hole researching stupid subjects, instead of writing my book. Take today, for example. I’m writing a blog post instead of my book. It is much easier to write about myself, than try to concentrate on terror cells.
I have also gotten good at baking, cleaning, and Christmas shopping as procrastination techniques. These activities give me a sense of accomplishment, even though I’m not accomplishing what I really need. They have the added bonus of putting my family off guard. They think I’m doing a lot, when I’m really avoiding writing.
Procrastination is a juvenile tactic. Teenagers implement it when they don’t want to do something. Children want “just one more drink” at bedtime, stalling before going to sleep. And, I guess, writers procrastinate when they’re unsure of what they are writing.
How I’m combatting my procrastination is by telling myself to write whatever comes to mind, with the option to delete. That should work, if only I can stay off social media long enough to get some writing done.
It’s hard fighting a natural tendency to delay. I’m undermining my own workability. Right now, I have lots of time to finish the book. If I keep putting it off, however, I will back myself into a corner that won’t be very easy or pleasant to get out of. Procrastination is not a habit you want to start. Believe me, I should know.
I have also gotten good at baking, cleaning, and Christmas shopping as procrastination techniques. These activities give me a sense of accomplishment, even though I’m not accomplishing what I really need. They have the added bonus of putting my family off guard. They think I’m doing a lot, when I’m really avoiding writing.
Procrastination is a juvenile tactic. Teenagers implement it when they don’t want to do something. Children want “just one more drink” at bedtime, stalling before going to sleep. And, I guess, writers procrastinate when they’re unsure of what they are writing.
How I’m combatting my procrastination is by telling myself to write whatever comes to mind, with the option to delete. That should work, if only I can stay off social media long enough to get some writing done.
It’s hard fighting a natural tendency to delay. I’m undermining my own workability. Right now, I have lots of time to finish the book. If I keep putting it off, however, I will back myself into a corner that won’t be very easy or pleasant to get out of. Procrastination is not a habit you want to start. Believe me, I should know.
Are you a procrastinator? Do you have any tips for jump-starting your creativity? I’d love to know!
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