I don't know when it happened, but I have become a procrastinator. I got some feedback on my novel, The Amaranthine and instead of jumping in to rewrites, I am scrubbing the shower and doing washing with a big goofy smile on my face. For some reason I am giving my manuscript (MS) the silent treatment, which is strange for me, because usually I over think things and become obsessed with completing tasks and now I am hiding from my MS.
Also, I have decided to read at least one book a week, because I need to read more and broaden my horizons. I truly believe that knowledge is power, of course my mom will tell me to remember what happened to Eve for wanting more knowledge. Love you Mom! But if I miss the one week deadline so be it. In fact, maybe I shouldn't set a time limit. I should just get a pile of books and tell myself too read as many as I can in say a year?
What are you up to?
I think maybe you set too many rules and deadlines for yourself. You might get more done if you don't think, I HAVE to do this now. You don't have to read a book every week. Read at your leisure and relish good writing. Maybe you and your ms need a break from each other. You will feel ready to work on it soon enough. I have confidence in you.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Thank you for your kind words Janie. I do set too many rules. I have to just take my time.
DeleteI need to read more too; it's hard because I have to read so much for school and my website job that by the time I finally finish reading, I'm tired and don't want to read anymore. So I end up watching TV instead, which isn't nearly as good for the soul. Maybe instead of setting a time limit, you could just make a list of the books that you want to read or the ones that interest you; I've found several books that were "recommended" to me by Amazon because of previous purchases, and those books often turned out to be pretty good.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your great advice. I think you are right, no time limit. I should just read. I already have such a long list I need to get to. I understand why you don't get to read for pleasure anymore. You do work very hard and have so little free time. But I hope you will get some free time to read again.
DeleteYou know, procrastinating when it comes to revisiting a draft is not necessarily a bad thing. Time and distance lend to a clearer vision of the overall picture, so I say go with it until your subconscious tells you it's time to jump back in.
ReplyDeleteI want to say I'm procrastinating, but I'm stuck in the middle of promotions, working toward being able to write like I want to again. Soon. Very soon.
Unleashing the Dreamworld
I hope you can get back to writing again. It really sounds like you miss it. Thank you for your great advice. I will take a break from my manuscript for a while. Best of luck to you with the promotions.
DeleteReading is definitely important. I read fast, but infrequently, and always think I should be reading more. It's one of the best ways to improve your own writing.
ReplyDeleteAs for the procrastination - welcome to the club ;-)
I feel that I am not very well read and I really want to read more for the fact that I enjoy it as well. We should have an actual procrastination club. We can sort out each others muses.
DeleteI tend to procrastinate also. I've set many goals only to come up short and get mad at myself. However, I agree with Crystal, that its a time to take a break. When I leave my ms for a while and then come back, it's free and new. And I can see it more clearly. I do try to read every night before going to sleep, even if it's a few pages.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the awesome advice. I really want to get to work on the notes from my critique partners, but I think I'm just afraid. Maybe a little break is in order. These days I only manage a few pages before going to bed too and I feel bad about it. But I think I should put less pressure on myself and read when I have the time. Thank you again.
DeleteProcrastination is fear. I realize that...but that still doesn't stop me from procrastinating!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. I am afraid of facing the reality of what needs to be fixed.
DeleteI'm the world's worst procrastinator and I couldn't help but laugh at this because just last weekend I was scrubbing my shower like it was my favorite thing in the world to do! I just had to do that instead of sitting down and writing. I hope we can both get over our procrastinating. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Julie. I hope we chase away that procrastination monster too. Just yesterday I thought about scrubbing the shower again.
Deletedear murees most of us are procrastinators knowing well tomorrow never comes and today is the only day with us.present is the present still some sort of lazy bugs bite us.flee flee procrastination so that writers can make some good creations..smiles:))
ReplyDeleteI really hope the procrastination will flee. Thank you so much for your kinds words Adhi.
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