3 things I should do while waiting for feedback (but what I really do instead)
Been quite round the blog haunts these past couple of weeks. Been quite in all other corners of my writing life too. This time it is the wait for my proof edit to return, but the problem is the same be it waiting on draft feedback, query submissions or an advanced find/replace in word: What to do with idle hands.
The devil, no doubt, has plans for my procrastination. To fight his evil I have a short list of activities that thwart his every move.
1. Start writing the next book. This one is obvious really, even my editor thinks it is a novel idea. But I can see Satan's hand in good intentions, and I hold firm against such temptation. Instead of beginning book 2 when book 1 hasn't even hit the printers yet, I find that a marathon session of The Wire can help keep me on the straight and narrow. After 3 seasons of drug dealing and murder, all thought of world building of my own is well and truly put to rest. No doubt.
2. Plan marketing strategy of upcoming book. This would be a great way to fill up the hours of nail biting and growing anxiety, but I am strong and my mind is pure. I shan't give in to such vanity. To plan a marketing strategy would play right into the devil's plans for me to become actually successful at this game. This in turn would lead to a life of hedonistic debauchery in which I end up alone, whispering the name of my long lost symbol of childhood innocence the moment the glass of napoleon brandy crashes to the floor. I won't be fooled so easy. And to stave off the temptation of the devil, nothing is better than a quick hour or 10 of angry birds. (I lie, I finished that ages ago. I'm on to Tiny Wings now.)
3. Actively participate in the online writing community. During my writing stints, I have neglected the blogosphere, and it is high time I pay them back. I know I should visit all the pages I follow and comment on the posts. I know I should make a post of my own and thank all the people for the awards they have given me in the last few months. But I am onto the devil and his nefarious ways now. I can see through such a seemingly altruistic ploy, to the black heart of pain it would cause. All it would achieve in the end would be to further my delusions that there are real people out there struggling and hoping and perhaps even caring about each other. That is exactly the kind of disarming fallacy the king of darkness wants us to believe. Far better to write this post instead, in which I justify my procrastination at the same time as I add to it.
Your move, devil.
*Snort* best excuses for procrastination I've heard in quite some time :-)
ReplyDeleteIf there is one thing procrastination loves it is excuses. And cheap wine. Oh, and late night blogging.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you don't want to do anything. I seem to find myself bloggin instead of writing.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you find your groove soon.
sorry, blogging*
ReplyDeleteLock yourself in a room with your PC, shut off the internet and grab a bottle of wine. I guarantee by the end of the day you'll have a pretty good idea where you new plot is going...or some pretty funny stuff in the form of draft. :)
ReplyDeleteI stink at 2 and 3. But number 1 is the most important, right? Right? lol
ReplyDeleteActively participating in online communities ALSO takes up a ton of time! :P
ReplyDeleteMy biggest problem is the internet... such a distraction... Have to work out how to switch off the internet so I can get some writing done:)
ReplyDeleteswitch...the...internet...off??? What evil is this that you speak of? Begone foul Witch and take your temptations with thee!
ReplyDeleteTravis, I refuse to believe a man with a job and a small child has idle hands! And if so, enjoy, it won't last long. I am sort of in the same limbo; maybe I'll go check out the Wire.
ReplyDelete