Sunday, February 6, 2011

The P-Word Part Two

I talked about procrastination a few weeks ago, and today I'm going to talk about a great procrastination buster I made up.  Well, I'm sure many people have tried this before me, but I can't remember anyone mentioning it, so I'm claiming it :~)  But first, some brief bits of news.

If you missed any of the lovely ladies I interviewed earlier in the week, please pop in and take a peek at the new interviews page which you should see at the top of the page.  Jen, Jennifer and Talli are all so awesome and talented and cool, so I don't want you to miss out. 

Also, a reminder that I am giving away two $15.00 Amazon gift cards.  Just be a follower and leave a comment on this post to be entered.  Easy, right?

A quick look into the future reveals that my interview with Eric from Pimp My Novel on Wednesday is going to rock your socks off!  Don't forget to stop by, because he's an amazing source of information for all things publishing. 

Almost to the p-word stuff, but first, one more update.  I know a lot of you have been waiting to hear what happened with the second partial request I got from an agent.  Alas, I got the bitter R-word.  Yes, that one deserves a capital letter.  Double alas, I got no feedback on this rejection, which to be honest bummed me out tremendously, as this is kind of the silver lining of a partial request rejection.  So, my gameplan now is to resume querying next month after I get my agent critique at the writer's conference I am attending.  That way I can get a professional opinion and make any necessary changes before exhausting my list of agents to query.

Okay, procrastination buster! Share my secret I will (hehe, I sound like Yoda now).  Actually, this is a procrastination buster and writer's block buster.  See, my biggest excuse for procrastinating is that I don't have enough time.  Really, I might have 30 or 45 minutes, but I tell myself it's not enough time to really 'get into it'.  Also, I write really slow, agonizing over every word, sort of editing as I go.  This can lead to writer's block if I feel I can't find the right words.  So, this is what I did the other day.  I decided to write as fast as I could, whatever came into my head, for 15 minutes, not worrying about whether it was total dreck.  I made it sort of a challenge, which was fun.  Now, this isn't something I want to do all the time, because I like to take my time and write the way I like to write.  But when I'm feeling unmotivated or blocked, it does the trick.  I've been making good progress on the first draft of book number two, which I hope to have finished by the end of April.

I hope that was helpful to you guys, I hope you have a great Monday, and I definitely hope you stop by and say hi to Eric on Wednesday!   

11 comments:

  1. Aw, sorry to hear about the R on your partial. I know how you feel! But still, you're out there, you're doing your thing, which is wonderful all by itself. So kudos to you for keeping your chin up!

    Oooh, I'm a huge fan of Eric's blog. I'll be stopping by FOR SURE.

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  2. Bummer about the partial. I still haven't heard on mine, but I have it on my list to nudge her this week.

    Awesome suggestion for tackling the block. I hit a block yesterday and once I decided to just motor through, I knocked the wall down and got some good words out. Sometimes that the only way to get through it. Way to go on your good progress! =o)

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  3. That's such a great trick! I need to try that the next time I have only half an hour or something. And good luck with querying!

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  4. I'm so sorry about the big R. That just plain SUCKS.

    Procrastination is the worst, isn't it? Great busting tip! :)

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  5. I'm sorry to hear about the rejection. :( It's never a nice thing to get.

    But never worry about it. Instead, keep doing what you love to do, submit your manuscripts to other agents, and eventually you'll become a published author. :)

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  6. Great tip. :) Certainly gets you moving.

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  7. Anyone that uses "alas" in a blog is cool in my book! Best of luck.

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  8. Oh, the horrid R. Well, you're in company with a lot of people who've gotten the R. Welcome to the club and here's hoping you get even more requests to blow that one away!

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  9. Sorry about your rejection. Keep trying!

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  10. I'm so sorry to hear about the partial :(... but hang in there... those requests are just around the corner!

    Thanks so much for the great advice :)

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  11. Sorry to hear about that nasty R-word, but it sounds like your keeping your chin up. Good for you!

    I enjoy your procrastination buster, and I do something similar as a warm-up exercise sometimes. I like to write a monologue (of sorts) from the POV of one of my character. Main or supporting. And usually that does the trick to pull me back into my world.

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