Tuesday 1 July 2014

July IWSG: Procrastination station


Welcome to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group!



IWSG was set up by the fantastic Alex J. Cavanaugh (you can view his blog here) and the group now was it's own awesome website here. Go and check them both out, now! Or y'know, once you've finished here ;)

I know, I know, I'm a day early, but if I thought that if I posted now, I'd have time to actually take a look around all the other brilliant writing blogs out there tomorrow, and offer some encouragement to all you other lovely writers!

I don't actually have anything specific to blog about this month, but I thought I'd share something interesting I've discovered about myself this month anyway.

So, for the past few weeks I've been working on my novel idea, and I'm pretty excited about this one. For once, I don't find it hard to write – I'm simply enjoying the process of writing it. But I have noticed one thing – if for whatever reason, I don't get to work on it for a day or two, I do find it much harder to get back into the swing of writing when I do open it back up again. I procrastinate like crazy...and yet, when I do finally get to work on it again, I don't want to stop!

I guess it's like any hobby you do – when I started learning guitar, I remember my guitar teacher telling me to keep my guitar out somewhere where I'd see it, so I'd pick it up, and practice more. At first, I didn't believe him but I soon learnt that, actually, it was true – if my guitar was out on display, I was much more likely to pick up and strum away than if I'd had to get it out of it's case every day.

And I think the same applies for my novel. So instead of just having it on my computer, and procrastinating whenever I think about loading it up, this month I'm going to be thinking of ways to keep it 'out in the open' – whether that's blogging more about my progress, never shutting down my computer, starting a notebook with all my notes about the novel in (this is actually my first novel that I haven't done this for), or just listening to music and thinking about ideas for the next scene – I'm determined to keep this novel visible, so I don't forget about it, even for a day.

How about you? How do you keep writing instead of procrastinating? And I'd love to hear if any of you are working on something that you're so enthusiastic about too :)!

Happy writing!

14 comments:

  1. I'm always enthusiastic about picking up my guitar! And I have many on display...
    I guess when I'm writing, it is such a habit that I do it every night no matter what. And yes, if I miss a night for whatever reason, it's maddening.

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    1. Thanks for commenting Alex :)! I really should get my guitar out of storage at my parent's house so I can start playing again...that's such a good idea, and eventually, that's what I want too - I want my writing to be such a habit, that I just do it, no excuses. Hopefully I'll get there one day :)!

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  2. I get nervous when I am unable to write for a while as I fear I may have lost the ability! Great idea to keep it 'in the open.' I wish you well with your project.

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    1. That's exactly how I'm feeling right now, Suzanne! But hopefully if I can get into the habit of writing everyday, this fear should gradually subside...I hope. Thank you :)!

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  3. Yes, this is me too. I know I shouldn't let those gaps happen in the first place, but it's just so easy to get too busy! Lol. But you're absolutely right.

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    1. I know, right! Like on Monday night, I thought I was far too busy to write - but I ended up not doing an awful lot, and I definitely could've written at least a little, if I wanted too :S. Guess I'll just have to keep trying NOT to get distracted :)!

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  4. I like to compare being a writer to being an athlete. It's something you have to keep working on every day, or you'll start to lose "muscle" and make it harder to start up again later.

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    1. Oh my - this is an awesome idea! I totally get what you mean - at the moment, me and my partner are making an effort to go to the gym at least three times a week, but if we miss a session, it's ssooo much harder to motivate ourselves to go, and then I find it harder to work out! So I'm definitely going to keep this in mind every day while I'm writing :)! Thank you!

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  5. I've been stuck before. I've sat at my computer pulling out the words with a rusty pair of pliers, like so many a broken nail. The funny thing was after I powered through almost 30k I realized the reason why I was having a hard time was because it didn't belong in the story. It was brilliant writing. I loved the scenes I created, but it wasn't were I wanted to be.

    I think deep down we know when things are right and when things aren't working out. If the words are flowing, GOOD!

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    1. I know exactly how you feel - I had this same problem with my last manuscript (which I may have, er, kind of abandoned....) and I'm getting slightly paranoid that it's happening to this WIP too - but I'm holding onto hope that it's just a phase and I can change it in the edits if I need too ;). Thank you for commenting :)! Happy writing!

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  6. Keeping it out on show is a great idea... as I move my notebook closer, and make sure I've got a pen handy :-)

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    1. Haha! I really hope this theory works! If not...I'm a bit stuck. But still, I'm always looking for an excuse to buy some nice, new, shiny stationery ;). Thank you for commenting, Annalisa :)! Happy writing!

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  7. I like your idea of keeping your writing front and center this month. I agree, when things are neatly put away I may be less likely to open them up and work on them. Out in plain view means our brain gets that jolt of a reminder every time we see it!

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    1. That's exactly what I'm hoping for, Kim :)! And hopefully it'll mean that if I don't write, I'll feel so guilty about it, I'll write extra hard the next day ;). Thank you for commenting, and happy writing!

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