All I Want For Christmas Is For My Wip To Write Itself

Realistic Procrastination Tips

Intro

Ah, procrastination, also known as the bane of writers everywhere. It’s the easiest trap to fall into as a writer. You don’t feel like writing, so you just...don’t. Or maybe you completely forget about it when you’re watching TV or scrolling through social media, and by the time you remember you’re like, “Eh, it’s too late to write anyway.”

Procrastination is most likely always going to be an issue for all writers in some way. However, there are ways to counteract it. Today I’ll be sharing some realistic tips for procrastination that have actually helped me!

1. Make writing a habit

When I say to make writing a habit, I don’t mean you have to write every day. You can write every other day, every two days--whatever works for your schedule. What I mean is that you have to get used to the idea of writing.

A lot of the time, we hesitate to write because we get into the mindset that writing is an arduous task. But in reality? When you just sit down and start writing, you’re more likely to continue than you are to stop. Starting is the hardest part of writing. Once you begin, you’ll find it’s much easier to keep going. Train yourself out of that “writing = hard” mindset and in the words of a certain shoe company, just do it. And if you’re having trouble disciplining yourself, have someone else to hold you accountable. It’ll make you more likely to finish your goals.

One thing I do to form a writing habit is to write in my spare time. Usually, that means I write during school, in the earliest hours of the day (when my classes are easier and I have less homework). Tip: little things accumulate. If you can spare even half an hour or so to write--or think about writing--every single day, it adds up!

2. The “Room Rule”

Okay, so I just made this up, but it still applies. Basically, it means that you should keep as many unneeded electronic devices as possible at least one room away from you--whether that means moving yourself away from your phone, or putting your phone somewhere that you can’t see it. Pretend you’re in a classroom where if the teacher catches you with your phone, it’ll immediately be confiscated and you’ll be kept after school (which honestly, is probably pretty realistic for some of my followers who are students). Seriously, though. Social media is one of the best ways to procrastinate, so the best solution is to just get it out of sight. Once you start scrolling, it takes a really long time to stop.

If you still have distractions on whatever device you write on, you can clear your distracting tabs. Alternatively, you can put them in another window out of sight or do all your research before you start writing. Another option is to use an app to restrict what sites you can access, like Forest.

3. You have time

I’ve mentioned many times already that writers often think that they don’t have time to write. Well, I've got good news for you: you definitely do still have time to write. Every word counts! Even if you don't have enough time today, you'll have more chances tomorrow.

A similar trap procrastinating writers fall into is convincing themselves that they can't make the time to write. For example, I'm a student, and for the longest time I would tell myself I had too much homework to write. But then when I finished my homework, I would have plenty of free time...which I spent on my phone. Yeah, I know. Eventually I figured out that if I was going to make any progress at all in my WIPs, I was going to have to make myself do it.

If you really want to write, you should carve out the time to write in your schedule. Don't give yourself an excuse! Obviously, this doesn't apply to people who genuinely don't have time to write--you shouldn't burn yourself out trying to juggle a busy schedule and your WIPs.

Honestly, the best way to deal with procrastination is to deal with yourself. Examining your feelings toward writing and finding time to write are steps toward figuring out your own best method of productivity. It's a very personal journey that I wish you luck on. Finally, to all of the procrastinating writers reading this post...go write! I believe in you!

“No need to force yourself to do something the “right way” if it’s not your right way. Your job is to honor your process.”

— Andi Cumbo-Floyd

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Intro

I thought this would be an appropriate post to make, because lately I've been having feelings of inadequacy in both myself and my writing. At first I thought it was just my inner critic, but after a while I realized that the problem wasn’t just feeling inadequate; I felt that I wasn’t the writer I thought I was. I would think back to some of the praise I received from other people and wonder if I was actually worthy of it. Did I actually deserve that positive feedback? Or were they just being nice?

I’ve tried to stop overthinking in that vein, but it can be hard to train yourself out of that habit. I’m making this post to help myself unlearn that pattern of thinking, and I hope it helps you too!

It’s completely normal

One of the most important things to keep in mind if you’re suffering from imposter syndrome is that you are not alone. Every single writer suffers from imposter syndrome at some point during their career--yes, every single writer. Even if you’re super confident in yourself and your writing, there will be times when you don’t feel that way. And that’s okay! Imposter syndrome does not make you any less of a writer. You are valid and you deserve to be appreciated!

Talk to someone

It’s great to have a support group that you can turn to whenever you need assistance or just some kind words. Talking about these feelings is vital to overcoming them. Together, you can brainstorm ways to boost your confidence and self-worth as a writer.

Many writers will internalize their struggle with imposter syndrome because they may be afraid that if they talk about it, someone will confirm that they are a fraud. But getting things off your chest, especially to someone who likely knows exactly what you’re talking about, is a great step towards regaining your confidence!

Remind yourself of your hard work

This especially applies to those who have had success with their writing, but are now doubting the validity of their achievements and questioning whether they really deserve them. Sound familiar?

If you start to feel like your writing success is due to luck, chance or accident...let me stop you right there. Take a moment to remind yourself of all the hard work that went into getting you where you are today. Remember the countless hours you’ve poured into your WIP(s)? Remember the passion, dedication and effort you’ve put into your darlings?

Determination and hard work got you to where you are, not a clever ruse or a lucky break. You’ve earned every bit of success you’ve achieved. So instead of second-guessing your achievements, reward and congratulate yourself on them. You deserve it!

Remember positive feedback

If you find your mind being overtaken by negative thoughts, take some time to remember the positive feedback you’ve been given on your work. This could be feedback on a submission or competition entry, comments from reviewers or beta readers, or even just a positive word or two from someone you know.

Writers suffering from imposter syndrome inherently believe that they’re not actually good at writing at all, even when there’s evidence that says otherwise. To overcome this, you need to accept what others are saying about you; you need to believe the positive comments as much as they do.

First, try to get out of the habit of automatically dismissing positive feedback. Many writers will find themselves reacting negatively to praise–denying or brushing off compliments instead of listening to and thanking people for them. This needs to change if you’re going to overcome impostor syndrome. This doesn’t mean that you can’t still be modest about praise, but it does mean that you can’t be self-deprecating. Establish what your strengths and talents are and accept them. Let yourself believe that you are a real writer, and a good one at that!

Keep writing

It can be hard--sometimes it feels impossible. But as a writer, the best way to defy feelings of fraudulence and self-doubt is to keep writing, no matter what.  Rediscovering the passion and dedication that drew you towards writing in the first place is vital to your self-esteem! The most important thing you can do is keep going.

People suffering from impostor syndrome believe that they aren’t "real” writers. The only definition for a "real" writer is "someone who writes things". So, if you stop writing, you’re only giving more weight to your own fears. Keep writing, whatever it takes. Consistently writing will also ensure you’re consistently improving, which in turn will boost your confidence. And sometimes just that confidence boost, or that renewed sense of passion and purpose in your writing, will be all it takes to help you overcome impostor syndrome!

Let the world be saved by darkness, for once. Instead of blazing light - too bright and infinitely cold to comprehend even as it gives the illusion of warmth, let it be an all-consuming dark that snuffs out the calamity approaching. Fire or ice, the rage of a superstorm, some horror adrift in the vastness of space - whatever this supposed apocalyptic event might be, let it reach what it believes to be it’s victory only to be devoured in a lightless gulf.

There are things in the dark we will never know. Never have a name for. Things that have watched and waited from beyond the reaches of our limited memory as a species and will doubtless watch us go, in the end.

Let it be that dark which gives the battered heroine/hero their relief. The tingling rush of the end filling their veins, the weighty hopelessness, now left to hang in the air as all else is swallowed by an impenetrable abyss.

Let the air ring - for silence, true silence - has descended. Let the weapon in the savior’s grasp quiver, because it was never supposed to be over so quickly. Not like that. Not before they’d ever had a chance to fight at all.

Let them sense, just for an extended, weightless moment, the presence of something huge and dark and deep all around them. How they are not alone and never have been, not even in those comforting instances of the womb.

Let the one who’d been prepared to fight put aside their weapon, breathe in the thick air with a shaky inhale, and go home.

The light has demanded enough sacrifices. How many have burned themselves alive in its pyre, desperate and willing to throw themselves into the blaze if it meant others could benefit from the flicker of warmth? Of hope?

Let the champion of the tale go home, shed their armor, and crawl into bed. Let them look out into the darkness of sudden night and see, distant and strange, the glitter of delicate stars beyond their reach.

The dark has always been. When the last flicker of light goes, it will still remain.

The dark has always kept us safe.

i love motifs i love recurring themes i love symbolism i love foreshadowing i love impactful narratives

You see, the problem with writing is that it is always easier to just lie facedown on the floor and make incoherent noises.

writers will really have a doc titled ‘fic planning’ and then it’s just blank

Character Mannerisms in Conversations

ends sentences with 'no?' (As far as I know, I think this is usually seen in non-native English speakers. Let me know if you'd like me to do a post about mannerisms in non-native English speakers, being one myself)

keeps clearing one's throat but doesn't say anything

begins sentences with 'so'

keeps referencing to films no one in the room has watched

quotes poetry in between conversations

speaks very fast without leaving breaks and so breaths heavily once finished

speaks so slow that no one's even listening most of the time

begings with a low volume but gradually increases one's volume. Up until it's almost like shouting.

moving hands while speaking but one's fingers are pointing to a four. Basically imagine someone pointing to a nearby building. Instead of pointing one finger/all the fingers, the person points 4 fingers. (need not be because of any ailment. Or could be)

moving hands while speaking but in a thumb's up sign. Imagine someone talking about wheels so they're moving their hands in circles. But they do the same with a thumb's up sign.

Let me know if you'd like a part 2!

Feel free to send an ask. I'm as lonely as you can imagine so I'll probably reply soon.

who is your favorite male protagonist and why is it Percy Jackson?