We all have nasty habits. For instance, I’ve been a nailbiter since I was a kid, and though it comes and goes, I still find myself gnawing at my nail beds. Yes, it’s gross. But nail-biting isn’t actually that big a problem, not when it comes to my career. No, there are some much bigger demons to vanquish. Here’s are just a few bad habits that interfere with my work.
I’m a Procrastinator
This a sometimes bad habit, but when it’s bad, it’s really bad. It’s almost like I’m trying to make up for lost-procrastinating time by squeezing it all in when I have a really big deadline coming up or edits to work on. Sometimes I’ll clean or read when I procrastinate, but other times I’ll waste six hours on Pinterest and lift my head up from the computer wondering when it got dark.
I Stress Eat
Oh yeah. The worse the deadline, the more potato chips in my mouth. I’ll wander down to the kitchen, pretending like I’m not going to do anything stupid, and next thing I know I have a full block of cheese and six marshmallows in my mouth. It’s not the cute kind of I’m so stressed, let’s binge, eating either. It’s disturbing to watch.
I Get Into Research Black Holes
While some writers push the research element to either the beginning or end of their story, I like to know the details as I go. That’s all well and good, until you go back online in search of a fundamental element from a story, and end up on a Wikipedia page about conspiracy theories or the Isabella Stewart Gardner art heist. I’ve learned a lot of things when I should have been writing.
FaceTwatter
The social media is all-consuming. Why the hell should I write a book, when I could tweet about writing a book, isn’t that better? And let me get the perfect angle on my computer to show just how dedicated I am to completing my task. Oh yes. So dedicated.
I Start Planning or Writing Other Books
The grass is alway greener, or rather, page is always brighter on the other side. Especially when one book has an insane deadline and the other is the third in a series that still hasn’t been contracted. Which do you think takes priority? It’s no secret that our stories bug us until they’re written, but I need to find some way to keep from giving in.
We all have our nasty habits, the little, low-level demon poking at your neck saying isn’t it time for a snack, I think it’s time for a snack.
One of the biggest challenges of being a writer, of ever finding a way to get any write done, instead of just tweeted about, is learning these weakness, these nasty little habits, and finding a way to work around them. For instance, I put my phone on Do Not Disturb and turn my WiFi off until completely necessary. As for the rest, well, I’ll figure that out right after I go grab a quick snack. ♦
I’m a nail biter too. We share a lot of the same bad habits
Yes! I’d say high five, but I think we can all keep our germy hands to ourselves 😀
Nail biters unite! *clangs cymbals*
I get sucked into facebook too….and sometimes I think my blogging sucks the creativity out of me.
I’ve also had the same issues with characters tossing ideas around like confetti….slow down! Wait your turn! But then they go off and find anther author who’s not so busy….
Haha, I’m so glad it’s not just me! And agreed – I can easily write a few thousand words blogging and realize I haven’t gotten anywhere on my WIP! But the characters aren’t patience and they don’t wait their turn, do they?? Thanks for sharing!
I really should try the do not disturb on my phone and turn off the wifi. I’ve heard ‘online’ 😉 that they’re great for curbing procrastination.
Haha, it’s just so tough! Especially when you need the Internet – the distraction is right there! But taking the phone out of commission for just a little while does help. Let me know how it goes for you!
My procrastination operates much the same as yours. While I used to hop to a new idea in the middle of a WIP, I do that less these days. I don’t know why or how I got over that habit.
Please tell me how, Wizard! I have so many WIPs and I just need to finish one at a time! It’s tough to keep everything straight, but I’m glad you found a way that works for you!
I mostly don’t know how I changed from a non-finisher. I guess it’s just sticking at writing over years. NanoWriMo helped me learn to focus single-mindedly on one WIP without letting myself get distracted.
Oh, the trials of being a writer!
Amen to that! I wouldn’t change any of it for the world, though 😀
I had to laugh at the part about wanting to start another book before finishing the current WIP. I’m almost at the end of a first draft and I have to keep forcing myself to stop thinking about the next one that’s rolling around in my head.
Haha, glad it’s not just me! On one hand, it’s nice to know where your next story is coming from. On the other, it’s hard to concentrate! I hope both of your stories turn out great, though!