By Carol Bennetts
Dear Sandy Beaches,
I started writing a novel eight years ago but still haven’t finished it. I really don’t have any excuses because other authors squeeze in writing at odd hours and in random places. But I just can’t seem to finish it. When I read portions of it sometimes, I like what I read and other times not so much. What is my problem? I don’t think of myself as a procrastinator, but maybe I am.
Signed, Stuck in Simonton
Yep, that was me. In my recently self-published novel, Galveston Goddess, the protagonist is a mental health professional who takes a leave of absence and becomes an advice columnist. Using the “physician, heal thyself” method, I finally figured out a few things about what didn’t work and what did to help me cross the finish line and get the book into the world.
According to Merriam-Webster, to “procrastinate” is to put off intentionally and habitually with overtones of laziness or apathy. Since I am not normally a procrastinator, I wondered why I behaved like one in my writing life. But a couple of months ago, I finally overcame “it” and went through the last steps to get closure.
Reflecting, I can tell you what didn’t work for me, what finally did the trick, and why. It won’t apply to everyone, but perhaps my final “hypothesis” about procrastination can.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK:
- Attending writing conventions.
While it’s enjoyable hearing about and supporting other writers and their experiences, I was left feeling like a writing imposter, a writing wannabe. - Taking part in writing classes on Zoom, etc.
The same idea: all those eager writers hoping to find ideas and techniques to improve their craft. I wasn’t looking for more skills, just the one that would get me off my butt and back on the computer. - Reading books about writing.
These are inspirational, of course, but I didn’t need more advice on how to write. I needed advice on how to want to write… inspiration to write.
WHAT DID WORK:
- Getting my daily routine back.
I found I did my best work when I was on vacation. While vacations are intended to be work-free and relaxing, I found myself able to get up early in the morning, drink my coffee, and get right to my laptop. During the school year, I helped my grandchildren every day, so having that morning time was not available. - Joining a critique group.
I didn’t want to share my unfinished novel with my new group because that would mean even more feedback on a story that had taken eight years of my life. So, I dug out a series of short stories I had written for previous classes and boot camps. - Editing other people’s writing.
Editing other people’s writing is a wonderful way to evaluate your own. By getting feedback from the critique group for my writing and using their suggestions to improve my short stories, I got back into the writing life. Two of these short stories were later published on Spillwords.com and that finally convinced me to get back in the race to finish my book.
MY FORMULA FOR SUCCESS:
> WRITING STIMULATION < OUTSIDE DISTRACTION FROM WRITING
Also paraphrased as “the greater the writing stimulation, the less the impact of outside distractions on writing.” Who says you’ll never use algebra again?
My weekly critique group continues to stimulate my writing life by providing a few hours where I am expected to provide helpful feedback to others and to receive constructive feedback on my work.
Let me sum up these thoughts by responding to Stuck in Simonton through my protagonist, Sandra Dunne:
Dear Stuck in Simonton:
People procrastinate for many reasons. Some admit to being lazy and don’t want to put forth the effort. Some are unsure and confused about how to move forward and prefer to avoid taking that first step. However, I believe that the biggest cause of procrastination is fear (anxiety). We avoid what we fear because we don’t want to fail. It then becomes imperative that we name the specific fear and the worst-case scenario that frightens us. Are we afraid of our technical skills or the multiple steps it takes to get published nowadays, either traditionally or through self-publishing venues? Having a mentor can help… one who has gone through the process, but the best way to get past procrastination is to be so stimulated by the practice of writing that you simply must jump back into the game. And I’ll wager that there are critique groups out there that would love to have you. If not, create your own and get yourself over that finish line…the stopwatch is ticking!
Sandy Beaches
Carol Bennetts is a New Jersey native who left snowy winters and the world’s best pizza behind to call Texas home. Retired after spending twenty-five years as an educator, school counselor, and mental health professional, she is currently working on the second book in the Galveston Island Mystery series, Galveston Gambit. When not writing short stories, editing her work in progress, or hanging out with her three grandchildren, she and her husband spend as much time as possible on the Gulf and Pacific coasts.