Avoiding Procrastination

Procrastination is something we are all afflicted by and writers are no exception. It could be that there is too much time until your deadline and you thrive on pressure. Or it could be that your heart isn’t in it. It can even be fear – of not writing it well, or not knowing what you need to write.

Whatever the reason, procrastination, in all it’s guises, like social media, a bizarre compulsion to defrost the fridge or clean the oven, even spending too long on research, are all ultimately taking away writing time. And that’s precious right?

So, what can be done?

Here’s some tips I’ve gathered from researching and talking with other writers (not procrastinating, honest!)

Write first. Give your writing priority by doing it before emails and social media. If you set yourself a daily or weekly goal for words written, you will feel much better when you hit that goal. But do make it achievable.

Limit social media. Set yourself a timer if need be. Or even turn it off altogether!

Ensure all research is done ahead of starting your writing to avoid slipping into that procrastination mode. If you do need to look something up, insert a note in your work.

Set aside the time to write – and stick to it. Telling family and friends, which also makes you accountable, ensures you have an uninterrupted hour or morning. This ensures you give your writing the importance it deserves, which will lead others to as well.

Remember that a first draft is not perfect and it’s okay for it to be messy. At least the story is out of your head and onto the page, where it can be revised into something much better.

Don’t be afraid – of what you write or who will one day read it, or any of the other many reasons for feeling fear over writing. Feel that fear and write anyway, then see what you’ve got!

About the Author

I love escaping to distant shores with my characters, entering their glamorous world and feeling all the emotions they experience as they discover their love for one another. A love so strong it will overcome all obstacles eventually, leading to that promised happy ever after.

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Latest book from Rachael Thomas

The Greek's Outrageous Marriage Deal

A deal to reclaim his wife…
Becomes so much more!

When Athena returns to their marital home in Crete, billionaire Kostas Kyriakou seizes the opportunity to reunite with his wife and have an heir for the empire he has created from nothing. It’s the only deal he’s prepared to consider. After all, heady passion and hot desire had never been lacking in their short marriage.
Athena has promised her father, who is again battling illness, that she will return to Athens with her estranged husband. Seeing the man she’d loved so completely, and hearing his outrageous demands to have his child, forces her to face all the pain and heartache of losing her mother as a young girl.
Time together, acting out a marriage reunited, brings back all that explosive passion, but can they truly share who they are this time and mend the marriage for real?

Buy on:

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