Since I had one of those weeks where the words not only didn’t flow, but I didn’t feel like writing at all, I thought my post today would be about procrastination.
Don’t know if it’s because I just turned in the edits for Thoroughly Modern Amanda, but I had planned to at least start the first draft of my newly plotted out story, The Physician’s Irish Lady. But I didn’t write one word this past week.
I think part of the problem is that gnawing fear of starting something new. I also procrastinate when I near the end of a project. Suppose that’s because once I finish it, I have to start on something new again. The cycle repeats.
Also, there are those very real daily obligations. The dog is sitting beside my desk whining to be taken for a walk, the house is a mess. I know many writers ignore the housework, but since I work from home, I can’t concentrate until I clean. I do it in segments each week, so I don’t have to devote a lot of time each day to cleaning, and I do it in the mornings to free up afternoons for writing.
And when I do actually sit down at my desk, I have to keep book promotion in mind, since I have two new releases out. Time has to be spent blogging, keeping the website up to date and some of my social media sites have to be looked at and posted on as well. All of this takes time.
But, this coming week, I plan to at least do some actual writing. Think I’ll pull out that short Halloween story I started, but never finished. If I can complete that, maybe I’ll be ready to settle down and tackle my new historical.
I know every writer deals with this problem. Anybody have any tips or want to commiserate? Leave a comment.
I am feeling uninspired because I will not allow myself to start anything new until I sell more of what I’ve already done. Punishment, kind of, because I can’t just keep letting the work back up with no place to send it. If you had of told me years ago that writing would be the easiest part of being a writer I wouldn’t have believed it :-).
Ava, I can completely understand where you’re coming from. It’s hard to keep going when it seems you have no audience or a publisher who’ll be willing to take you on. And you’re absolutely right. Writing is the easiest part. I find promotion the most difficult part to deal with. No matter what I try, it doesn’t seem to work to sell my books. So, I just keep on writing. What else can you do?
Susan,
I share your predicament! To help push the procrastination away, I will read in my genre – or not – for 30 minutes then I sit down and force myself to write for 30 minutes. And I don’t care if it’s crap, I push on and on until the flow comes easier.
I do that too, Carole, when I’m stuck or just need a break. Reading always makes me want to write. And once I start a project, it’s easier to push on. Sometimes, I just need to sit down and open the file.
Sometimes the muse deserts us. I find that relaxation inspires creativity, whether it’s going for a drive with my husband, reading a fun book, or meeting friends for lunch. As Carole said, then I write even if it’s crap. We can edit if only there’re words on the monitor. Perhaps you are being too hard on yourself, Susan. You’re a good writer, so give yourself a break!
Hi, Caroline. Just my luck, a non-writing related job came in and I decided since I have to work on that anyway, it just might be the break I need. I hope to finish the job tomorrow, then I’ll open that short story file and try to finish the first draft. After that, I may finally go back to that story I got my rights back for, and do a little editing, then look into self-pubbing it. I’ve held off on that long enough. The novella can wait a little bit longer. It’s all plotted out, so when I’m ready it’ll be easy to get back into it.
Hi Susan, I’m suffering from the same thing right now and am afraid I don’t have any advice that will help. I finished my last WIP about 3 weeks ago and can’t seem to get myself working on the new WIP. I’ve only gotten the first chapter written and keep finding other things to do instead of write. I just received the first round of edits for my newly contracted ms so I’m hoping by working on those, it will inspire me to get my fingers back onto the keyboard.
Hi, Katherine. I know what you mean about finding other things to do besides working on your WIP. I did manage to write the first 1000 words on mine, then edits came in and I thought I should deal with those first. I’ll get back to it eventually–it’s not going anywhere–but I’m hoping when I do, I can give it my full attention and that will get me back on track.
Best of luck with your contracted story! Mine’s gone to copy edits, so I’m not finished with it yet. Just spinning my wheels for a bit. Think I’ll work on a couple of shorter projects first. I need to write the ending on one story, the other just needs a read through and a little editing.
I am finding it hard to get back to my WIP when I’m in the middle of edits on other books.
Hi, Ella! I think that’s exactly the problem. It’s hard to get the momentum going when you have to stop and tend to other projects.
Such is the life of a freelance writer. lol
I always love the sound of the word ‘procrastinating’. I think it’s a word to get your teeth into so when I hit a lull (doldrums) that lovely word eggs me on. If I’m messing about I pose a question to myself. (strange lady) “What are you doing?” Good chance procrastinating is the answer. There’s alsays FB and Twitter etc….
Yes, Nancy! We have so many diversions when the words won’t flow. But I finished my non-writing job early this afternoon and took a look at the short story I’d stalled on. Wrote the ending–a total of 613 words–and have printed it out to edit at a later date.
Who knows what I’ll accomplish tomorrow?