Throughout my career(s), I’ve taken what I’ve learned and applied it to other parts of my life. Years ago, I ran training programs and taught for a large organization. One of the most popular topics was “Time Management,” a course I wound up teaching when the regular instructor we hired wasn’t available.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by a large project or task that looms large and freaks you out? Do you stall and find other things to do first–avoidance behavior? Do you wish you could clone yourself and assign the project to someone else?
I’m a romance writer now, but I sometimes feel overwhelmed, too. I might have a section to write and just don’t like the direction the plot is taking me. Or I’m trying to decide if I want the villain to be redeemable or leave him cold hearted and uncaring.
I’ve stalled and procrastinated. I can be a master of those techniques. When I catch myself in avoidance behavior, I call up two strategies from my former training years. Okay, I’m stalling now, but for dramatic effect.
The first thing I try is breaking the task into smaller, more manageable “bites.” Which answers the question, “How do you eat an elephant?”
The answer, “One bite at a time.” Apologies to those who think I’m abusing animals. I don’t eat elephants.
By breaking large projects or tasks into more manageable segments, which logically follow each other, it feels easier. Something you can accomplish in a shorter time. I’ve even jumped ahead if, while I’m writing, I have a brilliant idea (don’t we all have those brilliant ideas at some point?) and just need to get it down before forgetting the details.
As a journalist─I did say “career(s)”─when I interviewed Diana Gabaldon, she shared her strategy for what to do with passages that seemed extraneous, but she could use later. She pushed the passage that didn’t fit in that location to the end of the section she was writing. After she’d finished the writing session, she might transfer the unused passage to a separate file to save it.
My second way to move me along when I procrastinate is to gather smaller tasks, ones that I could complete in less than twenty minutes, and group several of these items together. Then I’d knock them out, one after another. It feels so great to check things off as completed!
The converse of being stalled is the glorious feeling that comes when you’re writing, or doing anything you’re involved with, and suddenly you realize that several hours have passed and you’ve been totally productive. If things are moving quickly and you’re enjoying the process, keep going!
I know, people say to get up after a half-hour and stretch or move around. While a useful concept, don’t let the project ideas fade! If you must move away from what you’re working on, jot a few keyword notes on the file you’re in, or record the ideas on your phone. Don’t lose your inspiration!
Since I’ve provided some inspiration, I hope it’s been helpful. Now it’s time for me to stop procrastinating on my edits! Edits are so much less fun than the writing. Of course, my editor says she loves editing, and thank goodness!
March 4th and be positive! (My birthday and blood type, which people often razzed me about!)
Have a wonderful day!
PS. Please let me know if you found these tips useful. Always glad to help.
Warmest regards,
Shelley Sommers
Romance Author
PS. If you’ve been wanting to try out your writing skills in romance, please consider creating a 6,000-10,000-word short story and submit it to the “Here Come the Brides” contest. You have until June 1st to complete it and submit it. We’re looking for stories in the steamy to spicy range of romance.
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See all details on contest.janerohde.com