Or is there? It's something I've been thinking about for a couple of weeks. My son came home from school one day and informed me that he had to write down what his mom and dad do. You know what he wrote down about me? That I write books (which is true) and play solitaire (also true, but this can't be what he notices about me, right?). Anyway, it forced me to take a good long look at how much time I do spend playing solitaire. And, I've come to a painful conclusion: I have a problem. Does anyone know of a solitaire support group I could join?
Okay, in all honesty, it's not just an addiction. It's a procrastination tool. I find myself minimizing my manuscript and playing solitaire on the computer when I get stuck. This would be fine if it spurred some kind of creative streak, but it rarely does that. I have a feeling I'd get more writing done if I removed solitaire from my computer. Not happening, though. Instead, I'm just going to limit my solitaire playing time to after I've completed a daily word count.
What about you? Do you have any crazy procrastination activities? How do you keep them in check?
On another note, my blog break paid off for someone again. Many of you commented on my last post that Katie Ganshert had good news to share. I'd seen Katie's face in the comments of other bloggers, but I didn't know her. So, of course I had to go check it out. She recently sold her first book and another one to boot. Now, technically, I can't take credit for her good fortune because I didn't really know Katie, but I think it still counts toward my blog break = good news streak, don't you? Besides, I remedied the "not knowing her" part and started following her. If you haven't already, you should go by and congratulate her.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Time... There's Never Enough of It!
Or is there? It's something I've been thinking about for a couple of weeks. My son came home from school one day and informed me that he had to write down what his mom and dad do. You know what he wrote down about me? That I write books (which is true) and play solitaire (also true, but this can't be what he notices about me, right?). Anyway, it forced me to take a good long look at how much time I do spend playing solitaire. And, I've come to a painful conclusion: I have a problem. Does anyone know of a solitaire support group I could join?
Okay, in all honesty, it's not just an addiction. It's a procrastination tool. I find myself minimizing my manuscript and playing solitaire on the computer when I get stuck. This would be fine if it spurred some kind of creative streak, but it rarely does that. I have a feeling I'd get more writing done if I removed solitaire from my computer. Not happening, though. Instead, I'm just going to limit my solitaire playing time to after I've completed a daily word count.
What about you? Do you have any crazy procrastination activities? How do you keep them in check?
On another note, my blog break paid off for someone again. Many of you commented on my last post that Katie Ganshert had good news to share. I'd seen Katie's face in the comments of other bloggers, but I didn't know her. So, of course I had to go check it out. She recently sold her first book and another one to boot. Now, technically, I can't take credit for her good fortune because I didn't really know Katie, but I think it still counts toward my blog break = good news streak, don't you? Besides, I remedied the "not knowing her" part and started following her. If you haven't already, you should go by and congratulate her.
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38 comments:
I used to have a solitaire problem (especially spider), but when I got my mac 3 years ago, it wasn't installed already. I decided not to put in on the new computer. Best. Decision. Ever. I can still play it if I want (on my husband's computer), but I rarely ever do.
lol! When my books go out on submission I may just pay you to take a break. ;) Oh and I procrastinate all the time. I call it getting things done in my own time.
The playing solitaire thing cracked me up. It's amazing what our kids notice! And I'll give you some notice when I'm about to query so you can take a blogging break! :)
Congrats to Katie! Facebook is my addiction. I'm on my way there now...
Facebook and Twitter. But usually the excuse of procrastination for me is that I've had a long day and I'm just mentally wiped.
Oh, and when I get ready to query, I'll let you know so we can coordinate our calendars. ;)
LOL, Susan, you need to take a break mid February when I resub my book! ;) Ha!
I've been trying to curb my procrastination activities, which mostly include blogging, reading writing blogs, and reading fashion/style blogs.
We also just got the Move bundle for our Playstation3, so I'm playing more video games than I used to, but at least I can try to convince myself that I'm getting some exercise, which I've heard is the key to being a happy writer. I would've thought it was a major deal, but to each his own. ;)
I'm totally addicted to spider solitaire. Sometimes when I'm sitting on the couch I think to myself I could be doing something else, but by 8pm, my mind a little fried.
I have a solataire problem too. :) I used to have an addiction to Pacman, but I eventually lost interest in it.
Don't feel bad though. Sometimes it's really good to take a good break from your manuscript in order to have some fun. :)
Man, you are on a roll with the blog breaks! That's so cool :)
I used to have a problem with the word games on Facebook, and then I downloaded some on my iPod. But it was just a phase. I think when I get super stressed and don't want to deal, that's when I go for the mindless games that don't seem so mindless when I'm doing them! Right now I'm on a reading streak, which is a good thing considering the size of my TBR pile!
Blogging is my avoidance addiction - can't you tell?! LOL. And I definitely think Katie should count towards your streak. :-)
Sometimes I feel writing is getting in the way of silly computer ganes I play online. It's getting so I write to procrastinate from playing games I've become bored with. I'm just getting more and more excited about my completed manuscript, I seem to be falling behind my quota of time spent playing pointless computer games.
Solitaire, huh? My distraction is connecting to the Internet and either checking my email or other blogs. I had to turn OFF my yahoo alert notice, so it wouldn't pop up and go Ding! every time I got an email.
Twitter is my new procrastination tool:) I'm already seeking help!
Welcome back:)
I love your blog break idea, I've definitely felt that way sometimes, it gave me a little chuckle, which is always a good thing. My son is also a wise guy about me from time to time, I've learned to laugh with it. I even used his wise cracks in my blog from time to time. Good times.
A new follower
Sometimes I wonder if I spend too much time checking out other people's blogs...lol! But I love it! And it's very inspiring! Actually, by the time I get time to write, it's limited enough that I stay pretty focused. As soon as I start to lose focus I feel like a million other things suddenly got really loud voices and I need to clean or do laundry or help the kids or... you know!
~Carla
My procrastination tool is Facebook. And Twitter. I get stuck and I open those.
I used to work on a laptop that didn't have Internet access. That helped...anyway I know I just need more focus. And I've found that participating in daily writing sprints with a few writing friends has helped me stay focused much better.
My procrastination tool is usually Facebook, Twitter, and reading blogs. All of which is stuff I actually do need to do, to network and build contacts, etc.... so is it really a procrastination tool if I'm still accomplishing something???
One word- SCRABBLE
Lately I've taken to eating. Yep, food in mouth syndrome.
And absolutely Katie counts. Now take another break will ya? ;)
~ Wendy
I got going on my husband's Bejeweled Blitz on his Facebook account and had to stop that. Not just the time, but every time I tried to close my eyes to pray, etc. all I could see were jewels floating around. Not good! :O)
After staring at the screen for awhile and nothing happens, my fingers start itching for the internet button. I feel like I'm constantly yelling at myself to leave it alone and focus on what's important...writing :)
LOL! Funny Susan! Great post too!
You're funny, Susan!
Anything to do with the internet is my downfall when it comes to procrastination. That and reading a chapter in a book that I'm reading. Which then becomes two or more chapters. ;)
Good to know your amazingly magical gift isn't limited. At least it's a very generous and blind magic.
Sounds like it will make solitaire a treat for finishing! I bet you'll blaze through now.
I'm a huge procrastinator, too. I surf the net and read WAY too many blogs when I should be working.
I wish I had known you didn't know Katie. I would have introduced the two of you. You guys will love each other. :)
I watch TV or vacuum. Sometimes sleep. Maybe I'll eat something. I may reconcile my bank account. Perhaps I'll call someone. Tweet a bit. I am great at procrastination. I think that having goals with writing helps me to make it through without sneaking away from the laptop. Also, having someone you are accountable to is useful too.
PS: I love the yellow boot clock! It is pretty and just super darn cute. I want one.
I definitely have way too many procrastination tools! I need to get a handle on them but it's so difficult!
Oh dear, I'm afraid I'm the master procrastinator, and I often write about it. I'm distracted by the slightest breeze. And if there isn't a single tree bending, I'll find one, I'll tug its branch and pluck its leaves.
It's a problem.
Yep. I have a procrastination tool too--it's called mahjong. (online arcade game)
I usually have to play a game or two before I start writing. It's part of my routine now. LOL
I start scanning the internet. It's a huge procrastination tool for me. It's really bad.
Wow! Your blog breaks just keep working out! Amazing!
I'm glad you have gotten to know Katie now:) SO happy for her and I thought that when you were on break again.:)
My biggst procratination tool is probably Facebook or just skimming the Internet etc. That's why going to the library kept me focused.
We had solitaire on our first old computer. I loved it. I used to play with cards when a teenager and listened to hit songs on my blue leather transister radio. Such joy, I can see how it could be a problem for you. My procrastination now is reading. I have discovered some very old Nancy Drew books and I'm a sucker for those. So glad for Katie.
I haven't played Solitaire in a while, but when I was a kid, I was addicted to it. And I'm talking about the kind of Solitaire you played with CARDS. I'd play for hours!
By biggest procrastination vice would be blogging and commenting, but I'm not giving that up.
I think I'm missing the computer-game-playing gene, but I know A LOT of my friends are hooked on that Solitaire game!
Instead of playing games to procrastinate, I like to spread it out a bit. Sometimes I get caught up e-mailing, checking out photos and links on Facebook, reading ABOUT writing... See, even w/o Solitaire, there are ways to procrastinate for the truly determined! ;o)
I had to stop with the Solitaire altogether. Online poker too. Just too time consuming. Its been over a year since I played both and I have two well developed WIPs to show for it. Good luck to you!
I say it still counts!
Omg, I looved solitaire as a kid, but I didn't have a computer so I played it with real cards : P
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