Confessions of a Procrastinator

Now, it's been a while since I've been on here. A long while in fact...but it's not just to do with finding the time to write extra bits, it's also to do with a rather long word that sounds as tedious as the feelings it brings. Procrastination.

Procrastination is often confused with writers' block. Someone told me that writers' block is the idea that you can't think of what to write, whereas procrastination is the idea that you purposely delay yourself from writing. Or to put it simply - you just can't be bothered. Well, I don't believe in writers' block because it's not the lack of ideas that brings me down (I'm always dreaming up new ideas), it's the fact that sometimes I just don't have enough energy to put pen to paper and I get easily distracted.

I can't say how many times I've faced the blank page and said: 'I need to do the washing' or, 'Oh, there's a new trailer for Doctor Who!' Yes, I confess, I procrastinate. A lot. But it's good to know, I'm not the only writer. It's weird because I love writing - I do, I don't want to do anything else, but sometimes I just don't have the energy for it. There have been times when I found it more easier to re-organise my sock draw or tell myself 'I'll write just as soon as this episode of Sherlock has finished.' (Even though I've seen that episode about seven times and even though I know perfectly well I won't write a thing!)

I think the big problem is that writing is not your typical nine-to-five job, you can't just switch your mind on and get everything done and dusted within that time frame. Writing is continuous and you can do it anytime, anywhere and that freedom can sometimes be a hindrance. That's why you need to discipline yourself and get organised, but obviously that's the most difficult part. How do you organise yourself? It's no good saying you'll write when you have free time, because you might have a tight deadline that won't fit with your "me time" and you'll have to work around it. It really is a case of trial and error. You just have to get on with it.

Well, I'm going to be good now and get some ideas down, finish that article that's been hanging around for weeks, work on my new short story and then edit it and...Oh wow! Someone just posted an amazing fan-made Doctor Who/Sherlock crossover video! ...

Writing Advice

Anyone hoping to become a writer will no doubt be on the lookout for classes, courses or even the odd article in a magazine offering advice on how to make it in such a competitive field.

There's nothing wrong with that. I took creative writing alongside English literature for my degree choice and I do believe it's helped me a great deal. The problem is, as I discovered while on the course, (and many writing articles and magazines) is that there is a lot of conflicting advice out there.  

One writer might say 'get an agent', another might say 'you don't need an agent, go straight to a publisher' or indeed another might say 'you don't need anyone, you can self-publish'. I've heard all of these examples and the contradicting advise doesn't just come with fiction.

Journalism, script writing, poetry - while there is a popular route for people to follow, there is always someone who says they've done it differently. For example, in one lecture there was a journalist who started working for a newspaper then drifted into freelance writing, in another lecture we met a journalist who did the opposite. So what's going?

The thing is because writing isn't like a normal job, everyone is going to have a different response in how to break into the industry. What works for some might not work for others. There is no one way to go about it, you need to find a way yourself and that's the trickiest part as it's all trial and error. The conflicting advise you may come across isn't bad but it should be taken with a pinch of salt. Assess the different the routes and find one you're feel comfortable in taking.

Fading Letters

On top of my wardrobe sits what I call my 'childhood' box, which is full of pictures, small diaries; greeting cards from my school friends, and some letters that came from the other side of the world.

Every time I open the box I instantly lose myself in all the memories of long school days, passing secret notes during lessons, gossiping in the lunch hall and teasing each other about our not-so-secret crushes. I even remember the times I had with one friend who became my pen pal after she moved back to South Korea. Yes those letters are from her. I have a little piece of South Korea in my box. But above all this, all the notes and letters I've kept over the years reminds of who they were and why they were important to me.

Writing is such a personal form of communication and it can reveal so much about a person. It's rather sad to think that the days of putting pen to paper are fading. In an era dominated by emails, blogs and 140-character tweets, fewer people are taking the time to sit down and write. Technology has made it faster and easier for us to communicate with each other wherever we are in the world and sadly it means we're using our pens less.

Despite recent discussion in the media about 'reviving' the dying art of letter writing, it will be hard for it compete in the digital age where a message can be sent to the other side of the world in a matter of seconds...

World Book Day

As if there aren't enough reasons to celebrate books, here is World Book Day - a day dedicated to reading.

When I was at school, I remember all the teachers in the English department would dress up as literary characters - along with many students, and discuss our favourite books. We would also receive our book tokens and spend some time deciding which what to buy.

I may be too old now to receive one of those book tokens, but I still celebrate the day by telling friends and family about new books. After all, the day is not just for children. World Book Day works in association with Quick Reads which was set up to encourage more adults to read. This is a fantastic scheme which appeals to the avid reader as well.

So to mark the day I'll be reading another Quick Reads title, Doctor Who: The Silurian Gift (which completes my Doctor Who collection in this series...) and hopefully persuade some reluctant readers to pick up a book.

Mind Detox

The festivities are over and now begins a whole new year. Aside from clearing out the house, putting decorations away and cleaning from top to bottom, I find now is a good time to clear out the mind too.

The new year is all about new beginnings and new resolutions which is what everyone needs. A time to set new goals and figure out what it is we want to achieve this year. It's not as easy as it sounds. We all spend January planning and dreaming of everything we want to do and by the end of the year, we've done very little or nothing at all.

I find setting small goals at a time works better than making big decisions and hoping to complete them by the end of the week. Brainstorming helps. It gives you the chance to write down the things you want to do or achieve and it effectively allows you to see what is in your mind and help you to understand what is important to you. Once you've made this list you can then do something every week that puts you a step closer to your goal(s).

It's a good way to clean all the 'junk' from your mind and start afresh. Focus on what you know you can achieve and forget all those little bits that clutter your mind, bits that shouldn't matter but stick with you, as these are probably holding you back. This is the best time of year to push yourself further.

A Poem for the New Year

At the Stroke of Midnight

 

The champagne and poppers are ready,
The family have gathered all ready,
Food and laughter pass the time away,
A brand new year is on its way.

As the night gets colder,

We realise we’re a year older,
Laugh at the memories that come to mind,
And tears come for those we left behind.

But the countdown has begun,

And Auld Lang Syne will be sung,
Hold loved ones close to your heart
For now begins a brand new start.

Only ten seconds to go,
The champagne begins to flow,
It’s not long before a new year
will finally be here.

So raise your glass,
Another year will pass,
A new era will begin tonight,
At the stroke of midnight.

National Poetry Day - 4/10/12

Events took place across the UK from readings to exhibitions to celebrate everything to do with poetry. Some of the highlights this year included the National Poetry Day Live at the South Bank Centre, and the Piccadilly lights display of Charles Causley's beautiful poem 'I Am The Song'.

National Poetry Day began in 1994 and since then has been engaging millions of people with poetry. The day certainly presents a fantastic opportunity to rekindle our love for poetry, especially if like me, you find yourself focusing far more on prose. It also provides the perfect excuse to flex those writing muscles. Every year has a different theme, and the theme this year is 'stars'. To celebrate National Poetry Day I decided to have a go...


The stars are sparkling against the dark
blue sky. The Sun has set, the Moon is high,
The stage is lit, and time is standing still.

The camera captures each perfect angle
Their flashes burst like bubbles in champagne
while shadows dance upon the scarlet floor.

The stargazers watch. But I watch for you.