True to form, I procrastinated getting my current WIP where I wanted it to be by this time. You see, there is a workshop this weekend (information can be found at http://www.kentuckyromancewriters.com/Meetings.htm), and I'd planned to have at least two manuscripts to pitch to literary agent, Scott Eagan, but now I only have the one ready for him to see. *sigh* It's not like these opportunities come very often, but no sense dwelling on hard-headed procrastination epic fails, right?
But it has made me re-evaluate my situation. I know I can't always give my time and attention to my writing like a full-time writer might, but I have to make myself stick to the goals I have for myself somehow. Therefore, my new-fangled idea is this: over the next month, every day, even if I can't write any more than the time allotted, I vow to write for at least ten minutes a day. Even if I have so many other things to do, I will give ten minutes to my writing. By doing this, I hope it will stretch a little past that (maybe even a lot past that, sometimes), and I'll get more accomplished. However, even if I can't write for anymore than ten minutes, I will have written something for that day.
I will update you on my progress. Before I go though, I'm curious how others make progress when so many other of life's issues take precedence. How do you keep BICHOK (butt in chair, hands on keyboard)?
Happy writing!
Probably better to only pitch one work in the pitch session anyway -- you probably helped yourself. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam. I hope you're right.
ReplyDeleteHow well do I know the demons of procrastination. I wrote a post or 2 on them too. I have been mightily afflicted. LOL. I'm getting better though. My current plan of attack is to have several projects going at once. When I want to procrastinate on one, I do another. Or I start a new one, such as a short story. It's been working pretty well. I actually finished 2 of the 3 blog writing challenges I wanted to do. I'm still working on the third.
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on the procrastination! It just took me two hours to write two blog posts (with images) for the same reasons as your first two sentences took so long. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI find that keeping a schedule helps me most. If I have a set time (mine tends to be after the kids are in bed) every day, it gets a little easier. Having actual people to do Word Wars or writing sprints with is also very helpful because it gives me accountability. That's the key, for me. Accountability. It's like a deadline, and as a procrastinator, I need that deadline breathing on my neck and lighting a fire under me to get the words flowing. Otherwise, there's...ooh, shiny!
x♥x
Thanks, Sonia and Noelle. Both of you gave great suggestions. I will keep them in mind because, for me, even if something works the first time doesn't necessarily mean it will work everytime, so it's always nice to have a Plan B and C and Z.
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