This morning as I sit at my desk, clicking key after key on my keyboard and surfing every possible site known to humankind, I have decided to write a blog about the one thing I am an expert on: the gentle art of procrastination.
See, even as I write this, an annoying voice in the back of my head is telling me I should be working on my latest manuscript and not messing around with blogs. But that voice has forgotten who it’s talking to. It’s forgotten that I am the master of doing everything except the one thing I should be doing.
Let me catch you up to date with what I’ve done up until now.
I drop the kids at school and seat myself at my desk at about 8.45am with every intention of writing. But I just have to check my emails first and clear my inbox.
Done.
Then I have to check in with the various Yahoo Groups I belong to. Okay, so I don’t like spending too much time at Yahoo groups, especially when I’m working on a book as it wastes precious time, so I simply visit two. Unfortunately, one of these has about 100 messages to wade through. Most of them do not pertain to me, but I read them anyway. Just in case.
Whoops. Quickly have to check email again to make sure no one has responded.
Then something vital pops up. See, I’ve been contemplating going to RT in April next year. It’s a thought. A desire. Nothing definite. But all at once, it’s urgent I check out ticket prices. So, four airlines later, and one trip to Travelocity, and I have all the price comparisons I need. But wait. I best send them to everyone else in Australia who mentioned they may be going to RT. Even the ones who aren’t thinking about going to RT. And maybe to my friends who aren’t even writers because some of the prices are pretty damn good, and maybe, just maybe, one of them has decided, out of the blue, to go to Los Angeles in April next year.
Quick visit to my email to report on ticket price findings, and then I open my current work in progress. I have to work!
Whoops, hang on. I haven’t checked my blogs today. Off I go. Then, once I’m online anyway, I better just check my stats on Amazon. Oh, and why don’t I Google my name, see what comes up that hasn’t already come up on the last 3 879 654 searches I’ve done.
Back to book, because I have to get some words down.
{{Slap}} Twitter. I haven’t check my Tweetdeck. Better run.
You know what? All of this is hungry work. Now I feel the need for some breakfast and a coffee. I bring the food and drink back to the office with me because I can’t afford to eat it in the kitchen and lose all my precious writing time.
But hang on. It’s hard to concentrate on the book when I’m eating, so I’ll just quickly check my emails again. And my Tweets. Oh, and remember, I have to blog at Samhain!
Which is why, almost two hours after sitting down to work on my book, I still have not entered a single new word into that document.
If you would like any tips on how you too can avoid doing the one thing you absolutely have to get done today, email me! Email now! I’m just looking for another excuse not to get back to that book.
Jess
BTW – if you’re looking for a reason not to work, here are some fun sites to check out:
Jess,
Your blog hits the perfect spot! I had to chuckle at the pure truth to your words. There is simply so much to do – that’s not writing – that it’s amazing a writer is even able to produce a manuscript! Best of luck, btw, on progressing with your current. I’ll keep my eyes out for it in the future.
Sigh, Ayla, the truth is even where’s there’s nothing else to do, I tend to find something.
And thanx for the wishes on getting this ms finished. Soon as it’s done, I’ll announce it to the world.
(Well, after I’ve checked my emails. And my blogs. And had a coffee…)
Jess
you covered all but my favorite base… I hit all of yours and then it’s ‘oh! I’m alone and it’s my only chance to watch my movies!’ The movies I can’t live without that my husband and daughter wont watch with me. Did I mention that we only have one t.v. ?
Why is is that when I have time to write, I must watch Singing in the Rain or Titanic or Hairspray or any other of the hundred movies I have? I tell myself that they will inspire me, but they only inspire me to eat popcorn and cuddle with my cat!
Movies. Oh, my, Lainey. What a brilliant way to procrastinate.
And what, may I ask, is wrong with eating popcorn and cuddling your cat?
Jess
Hi Jess
What a great post! So glad I’m not the only one.
I usually have “just one more chapter to read” or
an email to check. This week I have US Open tennis to watch. Housework & laundry will always be there but the guilt is gone.
Hey Mary
Oh, dear. That one more chapter! How could I forget. It’s the reason I go to bed at 3am some nights!
As for housework and laundry… lol, I could lie and say it’s about procrastination, but for me it’s just plain old avoidance.
Hugs,
Jess