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...

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.

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...

National Flash Fiction Day

Today is the first ever National Flash Fiction Day and anyone familiar with this form will no doubt be celebrating by writing one or two pieces. After reading some tips and suggestions on the form I decided to have a go myself:


                                         Pencil Tears

She's been kicked and shouted at. Her left leg hurts, a bandage is wrapped around her ankle. She looks down at the kitchen table. The little ones pencils and pictures are scattered, drawings of matchstick versions of family and friends with smiley faces and rosy cheeks. She sees herself. Small, plain - standing at the end of the line. She picks up a blue colouring pencil and draws tiny teardrops next to her right eye. The front door opens, she puts the pencil back and quickly hides the drawing beneath the others. The man of the house enters the kitchen. She smiles. He merely glances at her, throws his gym bag on the floor and leaves. She picks up the bag but doesn't know why.

Down the Writing Road (1)

I planned everything carefully. I was going to make a quick stop and redraft my 5,000 word short story in time for a competition before continuing straight ahead with the rest of my novel. Instead I was stuck in a traffic jam in procrastination lane. Hmmm...

It's not that I don't have any ideas, or that I'm stuck on what to do next, it's picking up the pen and actually writing that is problem. It's like my hand just can't be bothered. I couldn't write anything. When I hear other writers talking about writing 2,000 words a day I think to myself, really?

Now I said 'was stuck' because luckily I've moved on a little. After reading some brilliant advice from the Mslexia writer's diary I decided to take a U-turn and go down the non-fiction street by writing some reviews and this has actually helped me start writing again. I've got two books, two radio plays and an audiobook to review and so far it's been fun. It may not be what I was hoping to write but at least it counts as writing...