10 Ways to Procrastinate

22 March 2010 | Filed Under 10 Ways 

You want to write. You really do. But sometimes you have to do that one last thing to clear your mind so you can really get started.

1. Clean everything.
Clean your desk. Can’t write with a messy desk, can we? But look at the state of your room. So distracting. We’ll just pick up a few things. When did the house get so dusty? Better fetch a rag…

2. Outline your story.
You’re working on your novel. Really you are. But you can’t write if you don’t know where the story’s going, right? Oh, just got a good idea for a scene near the climax…

3. TVTropes.
Warning: Addictive. You just need to look up one archetype. You blink, and it’s three hours later…

4. Run your errands.
Oh crap. You need to go out and buy milk. And stop by the post office. And you need to run some things over to whats-her-name. And while you’re out you might as well stop by the library…

5. Create a playlist.
How are you supposed to write the great love scene without mood music? It’ll just take a second to put some songs together. There’s a good one. That one too. And that…

6. Play with your pets.
They look so lonely, staring up at you with morose unblinking eyes. You’ll just toss the ball once for them. Man, when was the last time they had a walk? And it’s so gorgeous out…

7. Stay outside.
Well the dogs are walked, but it’s so nice out, it’s a waste of the day to not enjoy the sunshine! Where did I leave that soccer ball…

8. Feed the body.
Oh man, so hungry. You’ll just have a quick snack before you get back to writing. That wasn’t filling enough, so maybe one more…

9. Feed the mind.
Jeez, sitting here munching is so boring. You drag out a book to entertain you. When you reach the end of the chapter, you realize your bowl has long been empty, and it’s not the same chapter you started…

10. Read about procrastinating.
Hahaha suckers….Hope you enjoyed procrastinating with me!

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    Hi, I'm Jenn, new grad student and old YA fantasy writer. I've long dreamed of being a novelist, and I bet you have too. I hope you find my blog helpful, inspiring, and maybe just a little bit fun. (But not too much fun. Writing is serious business, you know.)

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