Friday 30 October 2009

Procrastination

One of my many skills is procrastination.

I have now written an outline for Book 3: The Professor, The Bishop and Me. It looks great - a little weak in parts ("a long time on my own" does not automatically inspire a chapter's worth of writing), but I have some great stories to tell and it gives me some shape and pace. It is a good starting point: thirty short chapters covering eighteen months of my life.

Inspired by NaNoWriMo, which challenges you to write a novel of 50,000 words during the month of November, I therefore think I could begin this, one chapter a day for the next month. In fact, if I really did that, I'd have it finished. So all I need to do is write, pad out the structure, entertain with my wit and wise words.


I have printed out a blank calendar for November.

I have highlighted a space each day for my word total.

I have written "Words Written" in red marker pen. Followed by a colon.

I have put a red ring around each day of the month, because with all the other highlighting and red ink they had got rather lost.

I have found the blu tak and stuck it to the wall.

I have cleared the pile of papers to file (or at least reduced it to only a couple of centimetres in height.)

I have condensed my assortment of to-do lists into one (very, long one).

I have arranged my stapler, calculator and pencil pots in neat, ordered lines.


Procrastinate? Me? A good job it isn't yet November...


5 comments:

Dorset Dispatches said...

Please will you also religiously update the number of words written every day during November so we can follow your progress.

Procrastination is an important part of every process. It is the part when you brain is working out what to do. Then you can start.

I find I procrastinate for most of the day and then panic. I don't suggest that strategy.

Catharine Withenay said...

Panic ... that's another one of my skills... it can either precede or follow the procrastination, with equally devastating effect.

lulu's missives said...

Procrastination is my middle name.
Are we related?
Enjoyed your post.

cheshire wife said...

It is November now. So have you started?

Catharine Withenay said...

Lulu - it is just possible you are my long-lost twin...

CW - I managed three hours without children yesterday, so started with 2800 words. Today is not looking hopeful for more than a handful ... but who knows? Perhaps the little darlings will behave beautifully all day ... (I can dream!)

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