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| May 10, 2016 |
I have to use every trick to keep myself at the computer." --K.A. Applegate, author of the 2013 Newbery Award-winning The One and Only Ivan
Awesome. That's all I can say: awesome. While we rarely see one rainbow, in this past month of May we saw two. (Well, technically three since the first was a double). Awesome is often an overused word, but the images took the breath away both times. Where's the camera?!
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| May29, 2016 |
Speaking of inspiration, here are a few links to articles, along with tips, that can help us stay focused on our writing (and stay at that computer!). I know they've helped me get back on track since the recently fantastic--but intensive--April A-Z Challenge 2016:
From 7 Tips to Write More with Less Will Power, by Joe Bunting: Make a plan.
From Write That First Draft, Six Ways to Generate Material for Your Book, by Lisa Tener: Make a schedule--an appointment--with yourself (and keep it!).
Recovering the Joy in Writing, Barbara O'Neal: Rekindle the wonder (think rainbows here).
Barbara Kingsolver: How I Write, by Noah Charney: Stay eager.
Can you identify with Ms. Kingsolver when she says (from above article): "My morning begins with trying not to get up before the sun rises. But when I do, it's because my head is too full of words, and I just need to get to my desk and start dumping them into a file. I always wake with sentences pouring into my head...It's a funny thing: people often ask how I discipline myself to write. I can't begin to understand the question. For me, the discipline is turning off the computer and leaving my desk to do something else."
Or do you see yourself in this quote from Psychology Today's article, Procrastination: Ten Things to Know, by Hara Estroff Marano: "Procrastinators actively look for distractions, particularly ones that don't take a lot of commitment on their part. Checking e-mail is almost perfect for this purpose. They distract themselves as a way of regulating their emotions such as fear of failure."
Or, continuing from same article: "Procrastinators tell lies to themselves. Such as, 'I'll feel more like doing this tomorrow.' Or 'I work best under pressure.' But in fact they do not get the urge the next day or work best under pressure...Another big lie procrastinators indulge in is that time pressure makes them more creative. Unfortunately they do not turn out to be more creative; they only feel that way. They squander their resources."
What's the better choice: distractions and procrastination, or finding ways to stay at the computer? I have one more example of inspiration: my friend, Peggy Harkins, author of children's and YA fantasy. Peggy and I met a number of years ago at an SCBWI regional conference. She emailed me last week to share in her rainbow: all of her hard work has paid off and she now officially has an agent! I'm celebrating with her--and hope you do, too. It's been a long road to this point but, along with finding her own set of tips to stay at the computer, she has another strength: perseverance. Congratulations, Peggy! (Peggy doesn't have a blog at this time, but we expect to hear more about her in the future :-)
What tips can you share in the fight against distractions? Do you struggle with procrastination on your writing journey?
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Are you serious about beating procrastination? I've been struggling with mine for the last 10 years and read countless books and self help methods. Here is what I'm having best results with. First of all, procrastination bulldozer method has worked wonders for me. I highly recommend you apply it. Secondly, whenever you have a task that takes less than 5 minutes to do, do it right away. No delays. I'm really starting to take control of my life now.
ReplyDeleteAre you serious about beating procrastination? I've been struggling with mine for the last 10 years and read countless books and self help methods. Here is what I'm having best results with. First of all, procrastination bulldozer method has worked wonders for me. I highly recommend you apply it. Secondly, whenever you have a task that takes less than 5 minutes to do, do it right away. No delays. I'm really starting to take control of my life now.
ReplyDeleteI think a rainbow is always a worthwhile distraction.
ReplyDeletevote, I'm no expert on procrastination, I just know it is detrimental to a writer's ability to reach her goals :-)
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I agree with you. Thanks for stopping by!
I kind of have the opposite problem. I can't wait to write, and I procrastinate about everything else. :-)
ReplyDeletePeggy, I identify with this side of things, too :-) Today dawned with a busy schedule ahead but I was determined to keep my two-hour writing 'appointment' with myself...three hours went by before I knew it. Now what other things won't get done? Ha.
DeleteLove the pics! May was a good month for rainbows, wasn't it? I was just thinking yesterday that if there's one thing I'm good at, it's procrastination. And although I am usually home alone during the day, my house is also known as "distraction central". Whether I get a call I must take, or have to bring the trash cans in from the road, or get drawn into the online vortex, I allow myself to get off track. Working harder to stay focused these days. :) Thanks for the links and encouragement. Have a great week! (P.S. Today is trash day, so I will have to collect the trash cans. But maybe I can combine it with the trip to the mailbox. :)
ReplyDeleteKaren, 'distraction central'--what a great way to describe what can happen in our day! So easy to get off track as you say. What I've tried to revisit here lately is point #2--keeping that writing appointment with myself. We'll see how successful we can be with that this summer :-) But maybe you've hit on another key...multitasking (?!) Trash cans and mailbox sightings together, maybe, but writing/and.... hmmmmm
DeleteThanks for dropping by. Happy week back to you!