Deadline Looms, Procrastination Looms Even Larger

One of the wonderful things about teaching is that you have a bank of several weeks at a time to work on your writing. For me, that time is now.

I’m working on a story which until now, has gone wonderfully well. The characters are likable, the plot is funny and entertaining, and my creativity tank is full of gas. Now the deadline is looming over me, like a tree falling across my happy highway.

(Reader insert sound of brakes squealing here. Breaking glass is optional.)

I have only a few thousand words to go, and suddenly, other matters of great importance are appearing in my life. For instance, my windows desperately need cleaning. How can I write if I can’t see out my windows? I get a bucket and rags and wash all the windows in my house, inside and out. There goes one day of writing out the window. (Another thing that happens when one procrastinates is that one starts to write bad punnies.)

While working on the windows, I notice that the valances and curtains are dusty. Of course, they must be cleaned immediately.

The carpets look a bit drab and dusty as well. I hurry to the store to buy carpet cleaning solution and promptly the next morning, clean all my carpets. After which I am so tired that I can barely focus to read, let alone write. Second day of writing gone. Whoosh.

Since the school year is now over, it occurs to me that my classroom website needs revamping. It’s not a huge job, but I take my time tweaking all the minor details. As every writer knows, it’s all in the details. Okay, third day of writing successfully used up.

Why am I procrastinating so close to my deadline? What psychological trickery is my mind up to, causing me to inflict stress in my life?

I pick up a motivational writer’s book, full of quotes designed to keep one on the literary path. The first quote I read is this one attributed to Agatha Christie.

“The best time to plan a book is while you’re doing the dishes.”

Thanks, Agatha.

She’s right, you know. My sink is full of dishes that need to be put in the dishwasher. While I’m in the kitchen, I may as well look up some recipes and decide what to do for dinner.

As I plan my meals for the week, I think of even more important things to do. Pay a few bills, for instance. I may as well balance my checkbook, while I’m at it. It hasn’t been done in so long that it should kill at least two hours. Then there’s always laundry. Oh, and I just remembered that I need to critique my writing partner’s work. I’ll do that as soon as I get home from my son’s school, where I’m sure the teacher must need help with something.

I decide to stop this nonsense right now. I pick up the motivational book again and look for a better quote. This one is by John Dufresne.

“Just pick up your pen, put down a word. Any word.”

Thank you Dufresne. I think I’m back on the writing highway again.