Sherry Alexander Writes
  • Welcome
  • About
  • Blog
  • Guest Student Essays
  • Guest Student Stories and Narratives
  • Inspiration
  • MY Books for Children and Tweens

My Journey as
a Writer

See where it takes me.

MY BOOKS ON AMAZON

What are you waiting for?

4/27/2015

1 Comment

 

Picture
Writing these days seems a little more difficult than usual. I start out with good intentions, then they disappear into a flood of differing priorities. There's home school with my grand daughter, letters to my other grand kids, marketing my two other books, phone calls, laundry, cleaning, email, Face Book, blogging, animals to feed, dishes to wash, meals to plan, candy crush to play, and now that Spring has decided to stay--mowing. My day is full before I even get out of bed. Lately, though, I have been asking myself--What are you waiting for? Why haven't you written anything on that novel that is halfway finished, or revised the two picture books sitting on top your desk? Is it just procrastination?

Psychologists look at procrastination as a lack of self-control. Okay, I agree with them there. I admit that my self-control has waned since I retired, and when I look at my list, it's easy to find items that are less important than others. 

They also say that creative people--I guess the fact that I write articles and books means I am sort of creative--often say they need large chunks of time to express their creativity. Guilty on that charge too.  I have yet to train my mind to work in small increments of time. When I sit down at my computer, I have every intention of writing from the get go, but then my mind begins to wander. Before I know it, I'm on a day dreaming journey into the land of "What if?". What if my main character reacts this way? Or, what if I put another obstacle in the way before this scene? What if a desert setting would be better?  While this journey is often fruitful, the time rapidly disappears and my list of priorities takes over.

One final theory is that procrastinating writers are consumed with doubt. Guilty as charged on that one too. I am always wondering why I chose to become a writer. I don't have an educational degree in journalism or literature. I am not a teacher, an official historian, a librarian, or even an artist. There definitely is room for doubt. However, when I really look at who I am, I have to admit that I know a little about a lot of things, and what I don't know, I can easily find out. Then there is the fact that I read almost 2 books every week. I know what kids are reading, and I want to write for them. I have honed my craft through the Institute of Children's Literature and numerous other writing courses. Finally, I am always wondering what could be, and all writers need to have a sense of wonder. I think that the Jewish philosopher, Abraham Joshua Heschel, said it best, "Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge." 

So while there are endless theories regarding procrastination, I think it all boils down to asking yourself "What are you waiting for?".  Now that I've identified my roadblocks, I am going to work hard on developing self control, limiting my day dreaming journeys, and silencing those doubts (well, for a small block of time anyway). Writing is now moving up the list, and becoming one of my top priorities even if it is only 15 minutes a day. Wish me luck!

1 Comment
Teresa Kieser
4/27/2015 09:11:06 am

Oh yes, procrastination...I've wrestled with it my whole life. I think you've done an excellent job identifying the problem. Now, just try to pare down the items you don't need as much and try to keep your word to yourself that you will devote more time to the more important things, like your writing. You deserve it, and some of us love to read what you write.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Photo bySamuel Ferrara on Unsplash

    Sherry Alexander

    Dreamer, believer, reader, writer

    Archives

    April 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    February 2019
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    Categories

    All
    Death
    Grief
    Inspiration
    Writing

    RSS Feed


    Visit Book Blogs
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from One Way Stock, frankieleon