May 20, 2008 | Filed under: Stuff
I am deep in book hell. Probably deeper than I’ve ever been. I don’t know why it feels hard this time. Maybe Middle’s medical emergencies have been weighing me down. Maybe it’s the fact that spring arrived and it’s gorgeous and I want to go have the sun’s babies. Maybe it’s because I have this cat who wants to play fetch all day long, and she’s so adorable that I lose twenty minutes at a time just watching her attack her own shadow like she’s in the wilds of Africa on a hunt.
Whatever it is, it must stop! I must get this book in shape!
I asked Alpha Man to help me. “I’m not a writer,” he said, looking like he’d rather have his family jewels put into a vice. Which he proved all too well the last time I asked him to write a scene for me. A certain bedroom scene. I was only kidding, just wanting to see what he’d come up with. He wrote, “she does him.”
That’s it. Three words. Well, I suppose I asked for that.
I have tried yoga. Fell over in the middle of the class and was gently mocked by the teacher who said “no thinking during yoga”. No thinking? Can you even do that? Maybe it’s the writer in me, but I have never been able to turn off my brain.
I tried eating. Sweats are getting tight, people. Eating, though a true joy for me, is not the answer.
I tried retail therapy but I hate shopping. Hate it with the energy of a thousand suns. If Alpha Man didn’t occasionally drag me out for clothes, I’d wear his. Which, by the way, is why he drags me out shopping.
So here’s today’s question. What do YOU do when you have work that needs to be done, whatever it is, and YOU DON’T WANNA. Help me. I’m begging ya. I’ll take empty platitudes and sympathy if that’s all you’ve got. 
Posted by Jill @ 1:00 am | Make a Comment
Stacy ~ says:
I don’t have much of a choice, I have to do it. In my job, it’s not an option. Of course that doesn’t mean I don’t procrastinate. But I break it down, and try to take it in smaller increments which makes it less painful. So maybe instead of approaching it as needing to write 15 pages, or a full chapter a day, do it in paragraphs. Stretch. Take a sip of coffee. Eat a cookie. And another cookie. Write another paragraph. Play with the animals. Somewhere along the line the rhythm of writing will take over. Or at least it better, Jill, or this will be one sad writer
Imagine our suffering. sigh…
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 3:05 amStacy ~ says:
I meant to say one sad “reader”. Oy.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 3:14 amDru says:
I tackle jobs that I don’t want to do by spening an hour working on it, then take a long break, then go back to the task at hand. By the time I look around the assignment is done and it’s out of my hand.
Good luck!
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 3:17 amAnn from Montana says:
I’m not a writer…well, not a “paid” writer…my day job is “computer programmer” but I do work from a home office. My “trick” is to say, if I get whatever done, then I can do ___________… fill in the blank with the motivating prize of your choice.
Also, that monthly mortgage payment…than is often motivation.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 4:01 amMental P Mama says:
Ohhhh. If you get any good ideas, let me know. I clean my desk off, and the neatness motivates me. Weird? By the way, do you need other people to help with your research? I hope that is not a problem…
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 4:28 amKim A. says:
‘Cause I ain’t got nothin’, honey!
I work full time at our university and if I don’t get the work done, I’ll be out of a job. I’m a single income, 44-year old woman, scraping by paycheque to paycheque…that’s motivation enough.
Good luck!
-Kim in Ontario
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 4:57 amKim A. says:
Hey, what happened to the *Insert empty platitudes and sympathy* I wrote at the beginning of my post?
Hmmm….
-Kim
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 4:57 amAshley says:
Well, my job doesn’t require as much thinking as yours, I handle A/R and A/P, but when I’m having a “I really don’t wanna be here” day, I turn on the iPod! Music gets me through everything, without it my house would never be clean!!
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 5:15 amHope you find something to motivate you soon, maybe try walking (you can get a lot of good thinking done while walking, you know since the yoga didn’t work).
Susan says:
Just sit down and write anything that comes to mind. Same time everyday, for the same amount of time.
Not my advice, got it from “The WAR of ART” by Steve Pressman.
And believe me, I can understand!
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 5:17 amMelissa's Cozy Teacup says:
Didn’t you just finish a book? Love the imagery of your cat. My sister’s neighborhood has a neighborhood cat named, Oliver. A neighborhood cat goes around and gets love from whomever happens to be out and about. I have had to chase him out of my car on a couple of occasions. Do you do writing exercises? Watch movies for inspiration? Do you have a hobby? Sometimes when I paint I get writing ideas. I used to go for drives to clear my head. That was before gas was $100.00 an ounce.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 5:18 amMaybe if you went and practiced the scene on Alpha Man it would break the block?
Bailey Stewart says:
Empty platitudes and sympathy. No, really. I’m the queen of procrastination right now, so I’m the last one to give suggestions as to how to buckle down and get your work done. I’m sorry. Wish I could help, I need for you to write those books!
Yep, watching cats play with nothing is hysterical.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 5:31 amAsthmagirl says:
I do procrastinate at both of my jobs, both of which involve writing… either foundational or federal grants. To get out of my funk, I make a list of the areas that need to be addressed and write from there….
Mine would be:
Address needs in the area….
Show population statistics…
How will program be evaluated….
What are the program qualifications….
When I’m done, I pull out the questions and the promps and I usually have a pretty good narrative that only requires a few bumps.
Yours might be:
Why does he like her…
Where does she think it’s going…
What is moving the story in the back ground in this scene…
Why does he feel conflicted…
I do offer lots of sympathy as well. (incoming platitude) Writing is hard work wether it’s technical or creative, and it can be stressful.
Good luck!
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 5:58 amBiddy says:
Whether it is writing or recording I have a real problem just sitting down and actually starting it. The best way I have found is to promise myself an episode of a TV programme after every hour I write or after every successful recording session. And the lack of the latest NCIS box set probably explains why I haven’t done any writing recently!!
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 5:59 amLiza says:
I’m with Stacy. Break the writing down into smaller sections with cookie/play breaks between each section. Walking sometimes clears my head too, but I always listen to my ipod when I walk, so maybe the music is relaxing me.
I too work in an office, so it’s either do the work or not have a job. I do sometimes file or clean up my desk to avoid doing real work.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 6:01 amSuzanne says:
I procrastinate…..
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 6:09 amDevon Gray says:
I read other author’s blogs.
I’ve got to finish my book by the end of the month and I am at least 15k words out (I don’t plot, so it may be more). Gotta get off this damn computer and meet up with my laptop!
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 6:11 amDee says:
When I am facing something I really don’t want to do, I clean house. When I was in grad school my apartment was always spotless. I would wear myself out cleaning, then fix a big glass of tea or Diet Coke, and sit on the couch with all the books. If I tried studying without first cleaning, I’d sit there and think “Oh, those dusty blinds MUST be cleaned because I can’t think with them there! So when there was nothing else possible to do, I had to study. // Since you have 3 children I imagine there is never a time when there is nothing else to do in your house… maybe you should stock up on the B vitamins first thing in the morning…
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 6:33 amErin E. says:
I go somewhere else. I’m much more likely to get distracted in my own home, so I make myself leave (either for the coffee shop up the road, or maybe in another city). Anything to get me away from the draw of…well, just about anything else.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 6:37 amBarbara-Jo says:
Read. Do something fun for one hour and put in 2 hrs of labor. Cookies should be there (pace yourself though)
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 6:38 amTina says:
I’m sitting here looking at my desk full of papers and there is no way in hell, I can help you.
I’m just as bad, except instead of watching a cat play, I’m wondering “Did [insert whoever] update his/her blog yet”.
So I feel your pain, I really feel your pain.
Gotta go, I haven’t checked adwoff yet this morning and they might need me to put my two cents in.
Tina
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 6:44 amJess in MA says:
I write from home as well and when I get bogged down I usually have to leave the house. I get up earlier than I like and head for a cafe and set up camp there. Usually the uncomfortable chairs and strong caffeine help me focus. And the change of scene does me good. Maybe it is time for a field trip!
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 6:54 amDevon Ellington says:
If it’s a nice day, I take my work outside and work in the sun. Preferably in a park, or at the beach, or somewhere beautiful.
If it’s a nasty day, I go to a museum and look at paintings. For some reason, I find that paintings unclog any writing problems I have.
I have the same thinking problem doing yoga — and I do yoga every day. I compromise — during the asanas, I focus on the sensations in my body. Then, during the rest period at the end, I allow my mind to wander and think writing thoughts. I’ve had some of my best ideas doing Corpse Pose (in spite of the fact that the cats usually sit on me then — all three of them).
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 6:55 amKaren Erickson says:
Hmmm well since I’m a class A-grade procrastinator I think all I can offer is sympathy.
I know you can get back on track though. You always do.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 7:18 ambonita says:
I read blogs and comments.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 7:30 amI write out mortgage check.
I reread schedule.
…
Then I write like hell.
Carol says:
Right now I am setting here on my laptop when I need to be outside working on the pool getting it ready for this weekend. I actually took time off from work to do that and here I sit. I’m not much help, huh?
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 7:37 amLisa J says:
MUSIC, I love music. turn it on not real loud, but up and then get busy. Good luck, that is why I love being retired now.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 7:47 amcoffeefrappe says:
Hello, my name is coffeefrappe and I’m a procrastinator.
Things that are not easily resolved and then put to bed make me nuts, so paperwork is naturally something I avoid like the plague. And I feel your pain on the shopping thing. I despise shopping. I’m glad to know I am not the only one. I just always assumed I was a freak of womankind for not loving “retail therapy.”
That said when I need to do something to soothe myself, or I need an excuse not to perform some onerous task, I put on some music and I bake. Baking is my absolute passion. I love it! Think of it this way…
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 8:15 am1)It is finite with a definite beginning, middle and end.
2)It results in yummy goodies that can be distracting in and of themselves. Yes, I know your pants are tight, but one glazed oatmeal raisin muffin (or whatever your poison of choice is) will not make or break your pants situation.
3)When you go completely overboard and have kitchen counters groaning under the weight of all those cookies, muffins, breads, cakes, pies or whatever else, it can make you immensely popular with everyone from your mailman to your pastor at church to give all (or most) of those goodies away. Believe me I know whereof I speak!
Gail says:
Am I the only cracking up at Alpha Man writing She Does Him? LOLOL ….
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 8:23 amAllie says:
I plan something terrific to do AFTER the thing is over and done with. Having something to look forward to after the ordeal or horrible project makes the project a little easier.
And sometimes taking a day off really is the answer. Go, enjoy all the things you want to enjoy (sunshine! cookies!) and then you don’t feel as if you are missing something when you come back. You may or may not be a day behind, since you would have spent that day moping around, not getting anything done, anyway.
Also, since you are a writer and we all love your books, you have us rooting for you to get done.
HURRY UP!! We want to read it!! 
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 8:40 amNancy says:
Gail, Alpha Man always cracks me up too.
Jill, sorry you’re having problems. We love your books. Does that help?
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 8:44 amJill says:
Yes, it helps, THANK YOU. Thanks to all of you for offering advice, and most especially just for being here! It means more than you can ever know.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 9:04 amapril says:
I do anything BUT. For instance, I have a basket about 3′ high in my bedroom full of clean clothes. I never put them away. I just take out of the basket. Then, when the boy cleans them, he puts them back in the basket. It’s been months. He’s starting to complain. So, I tell him I have a plan to do it next weekend.
At work, I have a list of things to do daily which is why I’m always here late. I put off everything and then start to work at like 3PM and stay until it’s done. I find schedule and rewards work for me. If I do XXX by such-and-such a time, I get a treat, a break, or something I’ve been wanting. Usually, it’s not necessary. All I really need is motivation to take the first step.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 9:04 amSasha says:
I am the worst procrastinator when it comes to writing. The only that really makes me sit my but down and write is a looming deadline, and the worry that if I miss it, I’ll never sell another book.
Seriously, fear i what works for me. That, and pulling an all nighter. Sometimes it just takes an all nighter to force myself to get into the story..then I stay in it and binge write. I can write a single title in three weeks when I do that. Not fun, but it works.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 9:17 amLaurie says:
I’m confident that you’ll make it all come together nicely and your readers will adore you for it!
Sending warm wishes your way!
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 10:16 amStephani inWyoming says:
I do housework! I clean… I deep clean. I wash walls and base boards and just totally get into it. It helps me to take my mind off of whatever it is that is bugging me for a while. And it is rewarding in the end. When my house is clean and organized and everything is in its proper place then I can concentrate on other things because all those other things that distract me in the back of my brain are takin care of. lol! lol! lol!
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 10:20 amStephanie S. says:
I offer my deepest sympathies.
Personally I love to procrastinate. Well, I do it often so I assume I most love it. Anways, at my job if I procrastinate, I will get behind and overwhelmed . . . doesn’t mean I haven’t tried though. My advice is what I do when I don’t want to to a specific task. I will put it to the side or divide it up into the parts that aren’t so bad and put the worst parts off for a little bit until I am in a better mindset. It works for me.
I wish you the best of luck!
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 10:23 amBrandy says:
Sorry to hear you’re in such a funk with this book. I’m not a writer, so any advice I were to give wouldn’t apply. I can say that I just take a deep breath and do whatever needs to be done.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 10:56 amGood luck!
Susan says:
Take the puppies for a long walk. I bet they would enjoy it even if it should fail to help you.
Just think of the guilt you will feel knowing all of your faithful readers are waiting for this book!
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 11:15 amFannie says:
Get away from the distrastions. Put the kitty and dog out where you can’t see what they are doing. Get your favorite beverage, cookies and a lot of music. Picture yourself at your laptop being productive. Take breaks when you need to (not when you WANT to).Don’t try for perfection (that’s what edits are for). Just write a few pages at a time. You don’t have to finish the book at one sitting. Use Alpha Male to get the feel of scenes. This works for me when I put things off. I am not a writer but the basics work in any situation you find yourself in. Good luck with the writing. Don’t worry about the pants getting too small. Walking will remedy that. Hugs to all.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 11:21 amDonna McClure says:
Alpha Man’s writing ability is soooooo “male”!! It made me laugh!
There is no advice I can give as I am a procrastinator!! In fact I have managed to put myself in a crises, not good! Plus my computer crashed, it’s the hard drive. Why does everything happen at once! Please don’t answer that. My computer might be back in a couple of weeks! My computer tech friend has it, can’t complain. I miss my Jill fix everyday.
My only advice is to hang in there because we all know that you will write a wonderful book for us to read. Thanks.
I’m sorry Middle is having medical problems. I have to go catch up on back blogs to see what is going on.
Good luck.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 12:10 pmDonna McClure says:
Wow, I hope Middle is okay. I just caught up on back blogs! The water geyser must not have been much fun. Hope all is okay now.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 12:15 pmLis says:
Let’s see, DVDs are always a good distraction. Working in the garden. Cleaning happens if I get desperate enough
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 12:50 pmCryna says:
Not being a writer, I can only imagine how frustrating this is for you.
I usually take myself off and read, since I don’t work outside the house anymore. So I can’t offer you any help in the how to get out of the funk. I can be such a procastinator.
Hope that it all comes together for you.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 4:15 pmAnn from Montana says:
re “Gail”…am I the only one? NO…I’ve thought of that off and on all day and it always makes me laugh!
I just got all carried away with my first comment…
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 6:09 pmJL says:
See, I make lists. Grocery lists, to do lists, when I should schedule the next cat’s vet appointment lists, any kind of list I can think of. And I try to make sure that I put at least half a dozen things on my to do list that I’ve already done. This way, I can cross them off and feel like I’ve accomplished something! (And I can show it to Hubby when he asks what I’ve done all day.) And then I go cross-stitch, and hope that brilliance will strike inbetween needle sticks. (I’m still waiting for that to happen; you don’t want to know how far behind I am in my writing course. On the plus side, the new crib cover project is coming along nicely.)
And when all else fails, I nap. And eat cookies.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 6:23 pmMelanie says:
I listen to music through my earphones. I turn on my iPod and make the world go away. It’s the only way I can focus on work and on my writing.
Does it always work? No. But it works over 95% of the time.
Good luck, Jill! I, too, wish my husband could help me, but being alpha male doesn’t translate well to writing.
He was trying to explain why he likes my writing and it was kind like, “Uhh..you know the way you write. It’s funny. It’s…uh…good.” I told him not to hurt himself. LOL
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 7:50 pmKimberly H says:
Well I don’t have to much in the ways of helpful info… I am in need of them as well. lol
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 8:58 pmI usually get my self pumped up with music or try to get things done when it is sunny outside because lets face it-working in the dark is kinda depressing… it is nice to be able to have the sun shine down on you when you are writing- its hard to be grumpy when the sun is out!:)
Good Luck!
limecello says:
Poor Jill. I’m afraid I’m in the same boat. My old answer… fear. I’d start a 30 page paper 10 hours before it was due, and pound it out. I’d take a quick nap around 9 am, and be up by 10 for a quick edit, out the door by 10:15 to make it to my 10:30 class. This year, however, I dropped the ball, and haven’t finished an article I was supposed to finish in December. Ack. My thesis deadline is Friday - so, since it’s set in stone, and I’ve already put it off as long as I can… hopefully/probably the fear will motivate me.
Posted on May 21st, 2008 at 12:26 pmMy problem is I can’t work without stress… but stress distracts me and makes me worry and waste time. LOL. Sorry I’m not more helpful - :P.
Suzanne says:
Open up the manuscript file that you are working on and read the last page or so that you wrote….you will become inspired by your own writing genius and want to get back into completing the story!
At least that’s how it’s supposed to work….I think the real key is simply to make yourself sit down in front the computer/ms and stare at it long enough….although I really like the idea that Susan mentioned above, which is to sit down and write anything (on the book…not your blog or anyhting else) and keep doing that until you start producing something you really love.
-suz
Posted on May 21st, 2008 at 12:36 pmDarlene says:
I read blogs!!
I only mean to read just one..then do what needs to be done…but it never works. Suddenly hours have passed.
I tell myself..do NOT turn on the computer. Work first, then computer. Once the computer is on then nothing gets done.
Posted on May 21st, 2008 at 1:20 pmPat L. says:
She does him! Too good. Maybe you should construct and he write!
I either do them right away, put them off or write a list of what I have to do.
Posted on May 27th, 2008 at 6:05 am