Posted on March 1, 2012 - by Shari Barr
Procrastination Prevention Week
When it comes to writing, nothing plagues me more than procrastination. What better holiday for me than a procrastination-free week.
When I was a beginning writer and a stay-at-home mom, I thought I needed something to show for my day’s work, especially when the procrastination bug hit with full force. If I couldn’t find my lucky pencil, I would vacuum, knowing I would at least have clean carpets. I always had an excuse for not writing. To be totally honest, I still haven’t completely mastered this problem.
Some days it seems anything is more important than writing. Like when the dog sits outside the sliding glass door, staring at me with those big brown eyes, his paw swiping at the glass, begging to come in so I’ll pet him and tell him what a good dog he is. And since he’s spoiled, I give in. (Hey, I know I should be writing, but I can’t figure out how to liven up chapter five. Besides, my son asked me to take care of his dog while he’s at college, so that’s the very least I can do. That’s my excuse anyway, and I’m sticking to it. Anyway, just look at that face. How can I not pet him?)
Of course, a procrastination-free week would need to eradicate those pesky little voices scurrying around inside my head whispering, “Your story stinks. Why don’t you go pet the dog?” In its place, I would need to hear the reassuring words, “Your story sounds beautiful, dear. Hurry up and finish it. I have a spot open at the top of the bestseller list just waiting for you.”
Now, that would be a good week. I’m pretty sure I could ignore the dog if I heard that voice.
To be truly procrastination-free, writer’s block would need to take a hike during this holiday week too. If sitting at my computer lulls me into Snoozeville, I would appreciate a sudden vision, like newspaper headlines flashing in neon lights, to jolt me back to reality and give my novel that little extra twist it desperately needs. If I need to add a vampire or drop my characters onto an Amish farm, I need to know this well in advance, preferably before I finish the first draft of 100,000 words or so.
If this Procrastination Prevention thing pans out, maybe next year a team of publishers could surround my house, cheering me on as they eagerly wait to start a frenzied bidding war the minute I type “The End” on my novel.
I kinda like this writer’s holiday thing. Just don’t wake me up, please.
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March 1, 2012
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Brenda Anderson said:
Sounds like the perfect holiday, Shari. For some reason, we writers have perfected procrastination. Just think of the books we’d complete if we could put procrastination to rest!
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March 1, 2012
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Shari Barr said:
Glad I’m not the only one, Brenda.
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March 1, 2012
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Dawn Ford said:
Procrastinator? Me? Nah. Well, yeah maybe. I like this idea, procrastination free week. I’d get quite a bit done.
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March 1, 2012
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Stephanie Ludwig said:
You could master writing AND petting the dog. My Boston terrier is a big-time snuggler, so we’ve solved this problem of her wanting to be in my lap while I write by sitting on the couch with the laptop. She snuggles as close to my leg as she can get, and occasionally attempts to lay her head on the laptop. It was awkward at first, but now she’s gotten used to me shooing her head away. She’s content to just be as near her mama as I allow.
Anyhoo, enough procrastinating on blogs…
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March 1, 2012
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Kav said:
The right kind of holiday as long as you don’t procrastinate taking it! LOL. And no, you definitely cannot resist that priceless pooch face. Give him a pet for me while you’re at it. And a scratch behind the ears…and along his back.
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March 1, 2012
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Shari Barr said:
Dawn, you’re in good company. I know I could get more done if I wouldn’t procrastinate.
Stephanie, the problem with having our dog on my lap is that he’s a farm dog who thinks he should be able to come inside whenever he wants, muddy paws and all. When he’s somewhat clean, his method works. If I could shrink him, though, I would. He still likes to sit on laps, despite the fact he’s a full grown dog.
Kav, I can just see Hank’s eyes glossing over and his body going into limp mode as he drops to the floor and rolls over so I can reach his belly.
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March 1, 2012
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Regina Merrick said:
I like the idea of a week-long holiday. And yes, procrastination is my enemy, big-time. Sigh . . . .
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March 1, 2012
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Shannon Taylor Vannatter said:
Kav hit the nail on the head, I’d procrastinate taking it.
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March 1, 2012
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Marianne said:
Hah…you writers think you’re in a class of your own with this procrastination thingy? Not a writer, but am one of those to put things off! well, not reading, but then i can read AND pet my farm dog who thinks she’s a person
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March 2, 2012
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JerriLynn said:
It is AMAZING how dirty this house gets when I need to be writing! I’ve got procrastination down to a fine science. So, yeah…I could use a procrastination free week. I bet I could write 20-25,000 words if I had a week like that. =-)
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March 2, 2012
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Shari Barr said:
I’ve got this procrastination thing mastered, too.
Marianne, maybe our dogs need to get together so they switch ideas on how to train their humans.
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March 2, 2012
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Lorna Seilstad said:
Shari, I love this ides! Maybe I’ll start lobying to make it a national–even an international holiday. But I think I’ll start on that later.