Friday Speak Out!: Allowing Procrastination to Make Your Story Better

by D.L. Gioe

As a writer, putting words together makes me come alive. But some days, it’s just not happening. No matter how much caffeine, sugar, ritual, or will power – it seems the cosmic schedule and all the forces of nature are determined to block me from translating the words in my brain onto the screen.

This is when I have to remind myself that procrastination is my inner voice’s way of screaming at me that I’m pushing the process too hard. It’s time to slow down, and let my mind unspool the thread at it’s own pace. THIS is where the good stuff comes from – the AHA moments and the plot twists that even you, the author, didn’t see coming.

So I strike a deal with myself: I can slack on the writing as long as I’m doing something that advances my broader writerly ambitions. Here are five of my favorite procrastination techniques that always leave me more excited about my work in progress:

1. Set the mood. I love the gorgeous story aesthetics some authors develop and post on Twitter. I, however, have NONE of those skills. What I groove on is music. I love curating a playlist to capture the tone of my work. I find it really gets the creative juices flowing, and sometimes a close listen to the lyrics even reveals insights into some of my characters.

2. Journal. It’s writing but without the pressure. My favorite way to do this if I’m stuck in a story is to journal from the point of view of one of my characters. I always learn something new about that character, and frequently about some of the other characters, in addition to unearthing underlying plot dynamics.

3. Research. I LOVE research. With a variety of internet search engines awaiting your questions, all from the privacy and convenience of your desk (or couch, or bed – no judgment), there’s really no excuse for not doing a little digging. If nothing else, you need to know what else exists out there that might be similar to your idea. Which brings me to…

4. Hit the library. Because not everything is online. You may need to check out an actual book. While you’re there, check out the titles in your genre. Talk to the librarians about what’s hot in your field, or simply enjoy being in the presence of other book nerds.

5. Read! It’s may be THE best part about being an author, so indulge! Read widely in your genre. If you’re afraid that reading in your genre right now may mess with your idea, then read in other genres to get fresh, new ideas. Synthesize what’s out there in the collective unconscious and distill it into your genius voice. There’s also all the craft books, the magazine articles, the blogs…. In short, read all the time, in all different formats. If you’re not writing, the best thing you can be doing is reading.

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D.L. Gioe writes novels for YA and MG audiences, when she's not traveling, gardening, building her consultancy, walking her dogs, re-learning the important things in life from her kiddo, or otherwise procrastinating. She's the co-creator of The Space Between – a blog for parents who are also pursuing their creative ambitions. You can follow her @DLGioe and/or join The Space Between community on Facebook.


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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
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1 comment D.L. Gioe, Friday Speak Out, journal, library, music, procrastination, read, research, writer inspiration, writer tips

Summer Break: The Boost Your Writing Needs

This summer, take time to smell
the roses and recharge your writing.

When you were ten, summer break represented a glorious stretch of unstructured free time. Not so as an adult, but even a writer and a Mom can reap the benefits of a summer break attitude.

Take a Break
First things first, actually take a break. This is especially important if you are someone who is used to finding writing time every day. Take a few days and don’t write. We just spent 4+ days in Chicago. My word count for those days? A big goose egg, and I didn’t miss it one bit. Given how much I love my work, this told me I needed the break. Sometimes we get so focused on how to work writing in that we don’t always remember to take a break to recharge.

Take Stock
While you are taking this break, take stock. As you get ready to start writing again, what are you looking forward to and what are you dreading? Recently, I was offered a new contract that would mean steady income. As I put off signing, I realized that I didn’t want to go back into that field. During your time off, if there is something you are happy to leave on the desk, maybe you need to replace it with another kind of writing. Consider how you can make changes.

Take Time To Read
One way take up a new writing challenge is to read. While your kids take advantage of the summer reading program at your local library, do the same. Try that new novelist you’ve heard so much about. Revisit an old favorite. Engage in your guilty pleasure reading. Look at what you write. Does it bear any resemblance to what you love to read? If not, try writing in this area.

Take a New Path
One of the things I always loved about summer was the chance to take a fun class and try something new. This was when I picked up a paint brush and excavated an archaeological site. This summer, try writing something new to you. Get back into poetry. Try your hand at essays. You may discover a new writing passion.

You may not have much time to write in the summer months, but take advantage of the opportunity that summer offers you to recharge, renew your career and get started on something you can pursue with passion once everyone else is back in school.

--SueBE

Find out more about Sue Bradford Edwards and her work on her blog, One Writer's Journey.

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8 comments career, read, recharge