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! ...

The Blank Page

(Previously published on my last blog as Where to Begin?)

Here it is the blank page. You’ve taken the time to open your notebook and the pen is ready and waiting. Now what? You procrastinate. You begin to do other things and the blank page stays blank. All those wonderful thoughts, little snippets of dialogue and traces of a possible story stay in your head and eventually die out. Believe me; I’ve been through this too many times. What can we do about this? Here are a couple of suggestions that I picked up on my course:

·         Keep a notebook: anyone who is serious about writing should keep one. I know a writer who keeps three notebooks in her bag! Jot down any random bits of dialogue, thoughts, descriptions etc, and when you come to do some writing, go through your notebook and pick something that strikes you the most. Then see where you go from there.

·         Learn from others: If you already have a story in mind but not sure how to start then pick four books. One that opens with a description, one that opens with a statement, one that opens with dialogue and one that opens with action. Think of your story and write four openings, each one of them corresponding to the different styles. See which one of the four openings feels right and go on from there.

 ·         Think of your genre: sometimes knowing your genre can help where to begin. For example if you’re writing a crime story you can start with the actual crime or maybe start with the perpetrator about to commit a crime. That way you hit the ground running and pull the readers in. So think about your genre.

Have a go...