Reverse Procrastination
Every writer knows what procrastination is, if not all the ways each of us might put it into practice. It seems there are always things that need doing “right now” when it is time to write.
I’m no stranger to procrastination. I don’t even have a lot of secrets to reveal about how I overcome this little devil. I do have some thoughts and observations. Of course!
Image is courtesy of whiskeymac.
Procrastination can be the result of any number of things. In my writing life, I find I am quite willing to procrastinate if I am bored with a piece of fiction or fresh out of ideas for an article. I also end up procrastinating when I must research something and can’t find what I need easily. Of course, the antidotes, in order, are discipline, free writing, and discipline. For the most part, anyway.
What is interesting for me lately is something I’ll call “reverse procrastination.” I’m very into writing right now. So into it, that it has become a reason to procrastinate in the rest of my life. Laundry can wait…let me get this scene done. I’ll return calls later, in another 300 words. I know I need to soak my joints in a hot steam shower. I’ll get to it. In a few. I have even allowed writing to tempt me to procrastinate in the day job.
I’ve never suffered classic “writer’s block.” (Should I be knocking on wood or something?) Put paper in front of me and I’m happy to fill it up. I do experience periods of not wanting to work on a particular segment or type of writing, but I am always able to write. And, until recently, I’m usually pretty good about balancing it with the rest of my life. Not so, this week. I will need to use both of my hands and borrow yours to count the number of things I put off so I could get words on paper or into the computer.
I think perhaps writing is, for me, the grand escape. Words are something I am comfortable with, and they flow with little effort. Not so the rest of life, sometimes. It is natural to want to do the things that come easy (and I am in no way implying that writing is easy, or easier for me than anyone else). It is “easy” in the sense that it is an absorbing way to spend my time. It feels productive. And so I allow myself to spend hours stringing words together like beads on a string, happily humming away.
Just as with the retreat I experienced the week before, I’ve come to accept these periods of high output as normal for me. I am fascinated by the cycle of creativity; the highs and lows, the times of filling up and the times of pouring out. Since I have no writer to study but myself, I find I study my own processes quite a bit.
I am enjoying this time, though I might be relieved when I revert to being a “normal” procrastinator once again, in the next stage of the creative cycle. Indeed, reversion to typical procrastination means returning to the “devil I know.” 
Good for you! I wish I could say the same, but at the moment, I’m in a writing slump. I just don’t have the energy to stay awake. If I sit down for more than five minutes, I fall asleep.
These writing “highs” can last up to two weeks, but they always give way to the next part of my creative cycle. If only I could learn to hang onto them for always!
At the bottom of my “cycle,” I go away inside my head for around a week, writing only in my journal. I, too, fall asleep if I sit still too long, so have finally learned to compose on the keyboard or write at a desk. It does help.
Get some more rest! You sound worn out, Amber. (hug)
You are ina really good place. I was in that good place for about three years, then lots of life got in the way of things. Now that the life is beginning to settle down, I have to find that rhythm I once had and then stick to it. You’re inspiring.
KJ
http://www.nanadiaries.com
KJ I wondered where you had gotten off to! Now I see you’re on nanadiaries more than interminable writer, lol. BTW I couldn’t get the http://www.interminablewriter.com to load. I’m still getting your feeds on my reader from the WP blog, though.
Very good to see you again!
I’m finding the oddest things to procratinate with. I feel like talking to inanimate objects, whispering “Hey, c’mere…no, no, no, Nano won’t mind. Don’t worry.”
Having some NaNo issues, there, Matthew? Hmmm….what kind of inanimate objects?
I know I do this when I’m at work–horrible I know, but when you have a job you loathe, it’s fairly easy
I go through these cycles a great deal too.
I am astonished how much writing I can get done with a supportive staff. I’m beginning to understand the volume of output I might have if I didn’t work a day job. Scary and thrilling at the same time.
Good to see you, Dara.