As the title says, when it comes to writing specifically, what do you do that you shouldn't do? *Turns on video games* "No! Gotta write." *Turns off games* *YouTube's random videos* *20 minutes later* "Okay, let's do this!" *Spends time on WF* Lately, I've been goofing off too much. This forum is probably the one thing that keeps me focused on my writing
by being on here rather than writing, or my facebook pings (which is what happened this time, facebook pings, i respond to message and end up here...)
O.M.G., yes! Ha! Also, I love to tell myself that the making of pretty little maps is soooo necessary for me to plan out my story. So far, I've fallen for it every time.
I actually spend quite a bit of time with a piece of paper and pen whenever I plan my stories too. Sometimes I draw little quick maps, doodle random words, names, scribbles that only mean something to me, or whatever. Somehow, it keeps my focus and makes my thoughts more concrete.
Well... I'll have my Facebook on when I probably shouldn't. Then I get into conversations when I shouldn't... I waste ample time here... I spend a lot of time looking up things online and jotting down ideas that never really get used. After all that I get hungry and decide to cook or get an image in my head and decide to draw... No wait, I meant to say, "I have homework all the time so whenever I sit down to write I remember the books I'm supposed to be reading." Nah be really it's a mix of all of those. I have no routine or plan ... I just do whatever impulse comes to me every day. I don't even make a schedule when I have responsibilities, just to-do lists. >_<
Same as me, mental to-do list. Always something quicker and easier than sitting down and writing Even house cleaning can sometimes be more appealing. I do try to carve out some time everyday for it specifically though. Like, at night, usually I play video games with my man so I try to write in the afternoon when I have the chance instead of waiting last minute.
Why is it that I'm a 19-year-old boy in college with so much else to do, but I will still leave my computer because "I just can't focus knowing the dishes need to be done... and the shower should probably be cleaned... and There is that spot on the kitchen floor..." Speaking of! I have laundry in the washer and I BETTER GET IT BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DOES!!!
Weeeeeell... I was too late. Someone pulled them out the washer already :/ Ah well, at least there was an open dryer.
That always embarrasses me... I feel like I made someone's day harder. At least you procrastinate by cleaning your home. That's like a positive trait.
Most of the time I'm around the forum somewhere while I should be writing. If I'm home but not on the forum I'm working on painting one of my OCs in a drawing program. When I'm writing at all it's usually in class while I should be paying attention and/or taking notes.
When I'm here, I'm procrastinating from something else than writing that I should be doing... I usually write at home, and it's usually some TV show that derails my focus. Some are more dangerous than others. The hours I've wasted (or "wasted") watching Supernatural or Stargate... FB isn't a problem. It's actually one of the most annoying places ever, but I have an account for hobby reasons. And Mom's there, and I should remember to like her cat pictures a few times a week. But to be honest, I procrastinate far less than I'm willing to admit. E.g. writing is actually how I procrastinate when I should be doing homework or writing my Thesis. Don't get me started on housework. Somehow it's just way more fun to write than hoover. So actually, writing is the fun thing that derails me from the "important" stuff that I should be doing. Thank God. What am I gonna do if it too becomes a chore?
I'll just quote your post because I would've just said the same things. But I don't think writing will ever become a chore just like breathing never will.
I don't have a Facebook page. Do I need one? Should I scoop up all the dog poo from the lawn before it starts raining again? Have I got time for a nap before I go to work? Maybe I should just go take a look at Facebook. Can you do that? Just take a look? Can you learn anything from that? I have a blog. Well, I registered with Wordpress… or Tumblr… I haven't written anything there yet. I'm too busy with my novel. Maybe I should walk the dog before it starts raining again. I'm hungry. I must remember to polish my shoes before I go to work. Dammit, I need to iron a shirt! I still haven't watched the Broncos-Colts game I recorded at the weekend. That needs dusting before the wife gets back. The hoover needs emptying. Maybe I should see what Facebook's like. What's the difference between Tumblr and Wordpress? And what's Pheed? Maybe I can post a chapter from my novel. I should edit it first. I should finish the first draft before I edit anything. I need to research classic American cars. I need to browse car porn. I want that 1964 Galaxie. It's longer than the street! I want a cup of tea. I need to iron that shirt...
A dog, three cats, two parakeets in the morning, being here on the writing forums and another website that I had joined, browsing TV Tropes... I journal instead of actually writing my damn novel... Sometimes, once in a blue moon, I'll even start cleaning, or I'll play solitaire on my phone rather than write...
I remember getting this huge urge and rush for a need to write last night. I swore off pokemon breeding. Wake up: breed moar pokemon! ...I think I need a pokemon anonymous type thing.
Being here, research, FB (though I only have that for a very specific reason and that's the only thing that distracts me on it), being on the phone, more research. I still manage to write a lot most days though, so I guess I'm doing alright, lol.
I am trying to buckle down. It's been a rough month for writing I promised myself I'd try harder and seems to be working. Losing the habit over the course of a week made it harder to get back in.
It does that. My main issue is spreading myself so thin lately. Especially in writing. I have 3 novels in progress, plus other stories, plus getting ready for NaNoWriMo. I'm a fool - clearly. Need to learn how to tighten that up, or re-learn anyway. I write approx. 9k a day, but when it's spread between so many projects it's just not as effective. And I try really hard not to take a break, because then it's too easy to take another one, lol.
I know right? When I take breaks at work or from cleaning or whatever, it's just so easy to flat out stop. I've got a new seasonal job to do so I hope I can prioritize my writing now that I won't be home as often.
