Falling Off the Wagon
September 27, 2012 in Thursday Writing by Catherine Russell
I’ve been choking on the dust for months now.
The metaphorical wagon left me behind long ago, choking on the dry words I spoke so hopefully at the dawn of the new year: I will write and edit on a regular basis. Not a regular schedule, which would be near impossible in my household, but a regular basis. I’ve had excuses.
I’m short on time.
I’ve got too many other things to do.
I didn’t have time until late at night, and I’m too tired to concentrate.
Every single one of these excuses is true, and none of them matter. I’ve blogged, podcasted, and posted writing prompts while neglecting my own work-in-progress. I’ve taken on other projects while neglecting my own current work. Yet I still managed to rewatch every season of Eureka on Netflix, go out to movies, and do other things.
Writers write.
It seems obvious, but it’s something we tell ourselves as we find excuses not to meet the goals we’ve set. Whether it’s fear of failure or fear of success doesn’t matter. Whether or not I’m good does matter, but to a lesser extent than the actual act of writing. Lousy writers never improve without that all-important first step of putting the words on the page or screen. Putting down words is the first step, and one that every great writer has taken – from Shakespeare to Douglas Adams.
Take it from me, an experienced an accomplished procrastinator. Set yourself a deadline, or give yourself a treat when you reach your daily goal. Participate in writing sprints. Take a break from other projects if you need to, but get those words down.
No excuses. After all, we can both rewatch Eureka when we’ve met our goals.
Now write.
~ Catherine Russell
*image courtesy of The Library of Congress via Flickr. No known copyright restrictions.
Contributing Correspondent of Friday Flash Dot Org
Author Catherine Russell shares her life with her high school sweetheart, their son, and two ferocious puppies in the Wilds of Ohio while writing short stories, editing her novel, and learning more about the craft every day.
Her work has been published in Flash Me magazine, Metro Fiction, Beyond Centauri, the 'Best of Friday Flash – Volume One' anthology, and the 'Best of Friday Flash – Volume Two' anthology. More of her writing can be found on her writing blog at ganymeder.com.
So right, Cathy, one has to write and write a lot to get any better. I also fell off the wagon this past summer and am working to get things moving again. As far as procrastination goes, well… I’ve honed it to a fine art.
~jon
[...] Correspondent Catherine Russel describes Falling Off the Wagon in her post this week. Do you procrastinate in your writing goals? Read her article and then let us [...]