I'm convinced, however much I might wish it otherwise, that I could never be a full time writer. There's a very simple reason for this. Whenever the whole day stretches ahead of me, empty apart from the promise of working on my stories - I will end up doing anything but.
Take yesterday, I got up particularly early, got all my wee jobs done, and settled to my laptop by 10.30am. There was very little else I needed to do apart from write. So did I? Did I knickers. This is especially annoying as there's a project I'm keen to finish. A long project. The end is in sight - I just need a final couple of bursts to get it done.
But, instead of getting to down to work, I surfed the net. I visited blogs. I read emails. At one point I even did some housework. And here we are, at the start of a brand new day, and nothing's been added to my project.
Sadly, I have to face the uncomfortable truth I write best when I should be doing something else. Surely that has to be the ultimate in procrastination?
So, today, I plan to finish my tax return. That should ensure I'll get some words written.
27 comments:
I'm kind of the same way. When I get the motivation I become obsessed and neglect responsibilities and things I should be doing, but when I have nothing to do I tend to drag ass.
+followed
When I'm at work there are times I'm desperate for a break so I can concentrate more on the writing. But when I'm off work I usually reach a point where I've actually got too much time and I fritter it away. I realise now that I need the structure the job brings to my week, even though like you I dream of being able to write full time.
You are so right. I tried writing full time and it didn't work and now when I get up all fired up and ready to write with a day stretching empty in front of me, I start finding far more pressing things to to. And then you get that horrible feeling of failure the next day when you look back and haven't achieved anything! Whereas if you know you only have half an hour writing time, you get on with it! Funny things aren't we!
I know things are bad when I get the ironing board out and do the ironing instead of the writing!
I suppose it depends on what you call full-time? I work forty plus hours a week, I can't imagine writing that many hours.
I have friends who are defined as full-time writers, they tell me they spend around 10 - 20 hours a week actually writing, and the rest is admin or teaching.
There again, I can think of two exceptions who probably do a lot more hours actually getting words down.
It would be interesting to record how many hours of actual writing I do in a week.
And how many hours I waste procrastinating! :) I might jot a few figures down this week.
Happy Sunday
Maria
Same here, Suzanne! It seems he more time you have to write, the less you do, but the less time you have to write the more you do - must be some kind of law of the universe.
I too shall be doing my tax return this afternoon sighs deeply and rubs temples>
LOL! But at least your house is clean ;-)
PS Love your blog background.
Me too! I work best when faced with a "deadline". And since I'm unpubbed and therefore have no "deadlines" to meet so to speak - I do very little writing considering I have the time to do it! Sigh! BIG sigh. p.s so if there is some editor reading this who wants a very productive author on her/his books then sign me up- lol - I wish! Caroline x
It's interesting reverse psychology isn't it? Good luck with getting the project finished.
Hi Suzanne,
Oh, I so relate to this posting. I find that I get too easily distracted when I should of continued doing some more writing.
For instance, I'm visiting your site instead of staring at my computer screen and figuring what the heck I should write about. Of course, visiting your site is a positive distraction.
I want to thank you for your supportive comment on my latest posting. I'm very grateful to you.
Take care and good luck with your tax return.
With respect, Gary
xx
I so agree with lacey, at least your house is clean!
I can't believe you did housework rather than write, Suz :-) xx
I used to get it worst while I was still in education - when I had assignments or essays to do, all I wanted to do was write. But now I seem to have so much more important stuff to do...
I agree with Joanne, though - I think it's the structure to the day that work or Uni give that keep you motivated.
Hope you find some inspiration to get this project finished :)
Nari X
Ps. sorry for the above absent comment, I accidentally commented under my hubby's profile.
I had that problem when I started writing full time. Now I have a very strict routine that I need to stick to, or everything goes to pieces!
Gosh, I'm right with you, Suz. I should be writing. I really should, but I just can't force myself to. Sigh...
I agree with you here Suz. I have had more things accepted that have been scribbled in coffee breaks than when I sit down to 'write'.
Lol! You know the easiest way to deal with web procrastination? Turn off your modem. :-)
I'm the same. Days that were 'free' to just write are spent doing important tasks like re-folding all the sheets in the airing cupboard. It must be some sort of syndrome :(
Good luck with the tax return (I hope it's ditched in favour of a writing frenzy)
xx
I'm exactly the same, and have started making myself go to a coffee shop at least 3 mornings a week - as if I was 'going to work' - to actually trick myself into doing some writing. Crazy!
Hi Susanne. This made a lot of heads nod I'm sure. Writers are such procrastinators! That's why blogging was invented, didn't you know? All the same, good luck with finishing your lengthy project.
Denise
I find that I can keep writing all day when the family are at work/school/uni by regarding my day as a 'work' day too. I may be at home, but I still dress as if I'm going to an office, put make-up on and rush about doing a few chores before nine o'clock.Then I ignore the house-work as if I were out in the workplace. I use lunchtime as reading-time and also catch up on emails, blogs etc, keeping it all as brief as possible so I can get back to work for the afternoon until 4pm. I do the ironing when the family come home because I can still chat to them while I do that. Of course I still get distracted from time to time and there are still days when everything goes to pot because of some unforeseen crisis, but I really try to stick to my nine-to-four. I feel very despondent if I don't.
Suzanne, I know exactly what you mean - it's very hard when you're on your own, 'working from home'. I find what works for me is: a) starting early - not too early but by about 8.30am, before I've got too distracted by anything else b) allowing myself 'treats' of a coffee/walk to the post box/half an hour web surfing/emailing when I've completed a 'task'. I sit at the kitchen table with the door open so I can see the sun and garden and feel the breeze - almost as good as being out there! Also, I tell as few people as possible that I'm at home - otherwise they want you to go out! (which is nice, but doesn't get the work done!). If I have an unproductive day I just try to forget it and start again the next morning!
Helen
I am Eternally Distracted - I feel your pain ;)
Hi Suzanne,
When I wrting I sit down and do it. lol... But I have noticed there are times that I tend to do everything else except write. It happens occasionaly and I have no explanation for it. I call it avoiding what I should be doing. As I said I don't know why. It's weird. lol. :)
Hi, Elliot MacLeod-Michael, great to see you – thanks for popping by and I’m glad I’m not alone :0)
Hi Joanne – sadly I think I need that structure, too.
Hi Teresa – I know that feeling of failure very well.
Hi Scarlet – that is bad :0)
Hi Maria – I imagine a full-time writer would spend their life in lounging pyjamas, writing non-stop, but you make a good point – there is, of course, admin involved.
Hi Julie – I do wish someone would rewrite that law. Hope you got lots of writing...er...accounts done.
Hi Lacey – cleaner than it would be if I didn’t write, anyway :0) And thank you.
Hi Caroline – I’ve read some of your work and it’s only a matter of time before you’re snapped up.
Hi Helen – and thank you.
Hi Gary - Hope you got some writing done. And I know things will turn out well for you and your boy. xx
Hi Nas – that is a very positive way of looking at it :0)
Hi Mandy – I know, am ashamed. Xx
Hi Nari – and thank you. I popped over to your blog and saw your very lovely wedding photos – you were a gorgeous bride. Congratulations to you and your new hubby. Blogger wouldn’t let me comment, but I’ll have another go in a mo.
Hi Talli – I need to learn to be strict :0)
Hi Sally – if only I was half as productive as you are.
Hi Suzi – well done on those acceptances.
Hi Jackie – Ooooh, that’s a good idea (but I’ll just check my emails first). :0)
Hi penandpaints – I also have a tidy pile of linen in the airing cupboard :0)
Hi Karen – I like that idea of writing in a coffee shop.
Hi Denise – I think you’re right. :0) And thank you.
Hi Joanna – that’s very good advice – particularly about dressing for the office. I’m going to give that a go.
Hi Helen – I know exactly what you mean abut not telling people you’re home. If they think you’re ‘just writing’ it must be okay to interrupt. And I’m going to try your advice and forgive myself (yes, another unproductive day today – sigh).
Hi Eternally Distracted – thank you for empathising.
Hi Suzanne – good advice. Yes, those days are weird. :0)
XX
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