"Book fests
The DIY Book Festival (www.diyconvention.com) The New York Book Festival (www.newyorkbookfestival.com) The Beach Book Festival (www.beachbookfestival.com) The Hollywood Book Festival (www.hollywoodbookfestival.com) The Great Midwest Book…"
Procrastination, inner editors and a jetset life
My travelling buddy emailed me this morning to tell me know she is packed and ready to go to Las Vegas.
Panic stations!
For me, the past week has been plagued by a demon inner editor, bucket loads of procrastination and a to do list that is unachievable.
So what is the solution? Go without sleep for seven nights and catch up sleep on that ghastly long haul flight, or take control of the inner editor, show her who is in charge and throw the facebook/twitter/email procrastination buckets out the window!
The more experienced you become at writing, the more you learn and the journey becomes easier. Ha...that's what they say!
As I write more, my inner editor intervenes and tries to take over my voice. She wants to be heard, she wants to call the shots. The challenge is finding that fine line of keeping her under control and letting her develop my work.
Last week I set myself two strict deadlines. When I meet with my publisher and editors in Las Vegas in seven days (eeeek...OMG OMG...deep breaths) I am taking two completed and perfectly edited manuscripts.
Yeah, sure I am!
Well... that was the plan. Thanks to that pesky inner editor I ended up with too much polish and not much finishing.Three days of writing for six hours each day early last week and I gained one thousand words in one story.
My inner editor would not leave me in peace and insisted I go back each morning and revise each chapter. So, I wrote three thousand new words and pruned two thousand off earlier chapters.
I am usually a ‘put my head down and go for it panster’ and then I come back and edit when I have finished. Last week when my inner editor was constantly at my shoulder my productivity slowed to a crawl and frustration consumed me.
Writer’s block started to creep in...and then it wasn’t long before creativity flew out the window.
But, self reflection is a marvellous thing!
Instead of giving up and bemoaning this constant nagging voice, I took control and analysed the changes I had made.
What did I find? My chapters were stronger and the plot was a lot tighter. Dialogue had improved. Reading back over my changes I realized that my inner editor had stepped in, in a timely fashion and saved me hours of work at the end. And then I was able to put my fingers to keyboard and start flying again
Often we blame the inner editor for a lack of confidence and use it as a reason to procrastinate and not write. However, there are times when the inner editor can be listened to and will direct your writing in positive ways. It is a skill that comes with experience.
So a good lesson. The more you write, the more savvy you become when dealing with that pesky inner editor.
So my challenges for this week:
Write, write, write and keep that inner editor contained.
DO NOT PROCRASTINATE..stay off Facebook, twitter, email.
Keep the obsessive compulsive checking of Amazon statistics under control... yeah, sure.
Pack for Las Vegas and warmer weather!
For Aussie readers in the depths of a cold, miserable winter...take a break and escape to warmer climes. Holiday Affair which is still on the Amazon bestseller lists will make you forget the cold weather for a short time. Curl up in your PJs with a hot drink and lose yourself in the tropics!
My favorite story has recently been released by Musa Publishing. Blind Lust is a sweet little paranormal romance with many unexpected twists and turns. It is available as an ebook on Amazon (follow link) or you can email me to order a print copy.
When my to do list is shorter I will put some buy links for my print books up on my website.
I would love to give away a print copy to a reader. Leave a comment on my blog and go in the draw to win a a hot off the press..Blind Lust (I love that cover).
Give me some good tips for banishing procrastination! The winner will be advised on 14th August.
I will report in from Las Vegas in ten days and let you know if I managed to achieve my goals.
Wish me luck, dear readers!
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Lone Morch commented on the group 'SWP Authors!'"Mary .... Yes, good point re putting in next printing!! :)
With the shift in distribution, has there been talks about change in costs ?
Good Judith! Go for it. :)"
Judith Newton commented on the group 'SWP Authors!'"I entered this one http://www.hollywoodbookfestival.com/. ; Betsy, I'm seeing that scene at the Golden Gate Bridge!"
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