Tuesday, 7 August 2018
Wednesday, 1 August 2018
Crack that whip!
I've been lazy. Not just in blog entries, but in proper writing. It's not entirely due procrastination or being bone idle, but there is too much of those elements among the solid reasons.
Deadlines are the only answer, but establishing a deadline with "teeth" is almost impossible without Supreme Cosmic Willpower or an outside agency with sufficient influence to catch my attention.
The additional wrinkle is few people want the responsibility of being the "bad guy". They don't want to be the whip-cracker as any overt duty, possibly having me become resentful of their nagging.
It's a conundrum.
However, I've managed to do this twice.
The first time was with my 8-year old niece. She asked about the status of my book (my first effort ever at the time). I said I had not been doing much on it lately. She was confused and horrified. "Why not?" I went to answer and, looking into those big innocent eyes, found that the usual adult bullshit reasons about life being too busy would *not* fly at all. I arranged that she would be my editor and check to make sure I wrote five pages a week. We shook hands before witnesses. No consequences beyond seeing my procrastinating lazy ass reflected in those disappointed eyes. Finished that book before the summer ended.
The second time was more consciously developed. My girlfriend (now wife) and I established that if I didn't do a minimum of five pages a week, I'd have to watch a musical with her, AND be a happy date. I _hate_ musicals. Again, this proved excellent incentive. I lasted a couple of months before outside, realio-trulio pressures tripped me up. A deal is a deal and went to Hairspray with a smile on my face thru out the experience. Fortunately, I had already developed enough momentum to finish that book as well.
WELL, it's time to cast about for a Third Arrangement. My writing groups provide incentive, but we only meet once per month. That is not enough. I need to get some major keeness on my ass.
Ponder, ponder, ponder..
Deadlines are the only answer, but establishing a deadline with "teeth" is almost impossible without Supreme Cosmic Willpower or an outside agency with sufficient influence to catch my attention.
The additional wrinkle is few people want the responsibility of being the "bad guy". They don't want to be the whip-cracker as any overt duty, possibly having me become resentful of their nagging.
It's a conundrum.
However, I've managed to do this twice.
The first time was with my 8-year old niece. She asked about the status of my book (my first effort ever at the time). I said I had not been doing much on it lately. She was confused and horrified. "Why not?" I went to answer and, looking into those big innocent eyes, found that the usual adult bullshit reasons about life being too busy would *not* fly at all. I arranged that she would be my editor and check to make sure I wrote five pages a week. We shook hands before witnesses. No consequences beyond seeing my procrastinating lazy ass reflected in those disappointed eyes. Finished that book before the summer ended.
The second time was more consciously developed. My girlfriend (now wife) and I established that if I didn't do a minimum of five pages a week, I'd have to watch a musical with her, AND be a happy date. I _hate_ musicals. Again, this proved excellent incentive. I lasted a couple of months before outside, realio-trulio pressures tripped me up. A deal is a deal and went to Hairspray with a smile on my face thru out the experience. Fortunately, I had already developed enough momentum to finish that book as well.
WELL, it's time to cast about for a Third Arrangement. My writing groups provide incentive, but we only meet once per month. That is not enough. I need to get some major keeness on my ass.
Ponder, ponder, ponder..
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