How Writers Can Avoid Procrastination
Using Heuristic Strategies Can Help You Start Writing
If you’re a procrastinator, you’re in good company. "I love deadlines," the late Douglas Adams, author of The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, once said. “I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." Adams was known to take long soaks in the tub instead of working on his latest book.
You’ve no doubt tried a number of tips and techniques for avoiding the real task of writing. How do you procrastinate? If you’re a champion procrastinator, like Adams, you know it because when it’s time to sit down and write, you:
- Take a long bath
- Play video games
- Read a book
- Do your laundry
- Go for a walk
- Wash the dog
Heuristics
Heuristics may provide you with a remedy for the Procrastination Bug when it rears its very ugly head. Heuristics are "rules of thumb", or strategies that use what you’ve already got at hand to solve problems. Here are a few to get you back to work:
Freewriting
If you can’t get started on your topic, try freewriting. Place a few key words at the top of the page to keep from succumbing to the terror of blank pages. Then set a timer for at least 10 minutes, preferably 20. Now, just start writing. Don’t worry at all about what you’re writing, even if all you have at first is, “What a stupid idea. I can’t write this! I have absolutely nothing to say.” Just keep at it, writing whatever passes through your mind, until the timer goes off.
Freewriting can be done on the computer, but if you’re still having trouble getting started, then write the old fashioned way. Sometimes picking up a favorite pen and a spiral notebook may allow you to bypass the critical part of your brain that tells you that you should be doing serious work.
Graphic Organizers
Use graphic organizers such as clustering or flow charts to develop your ideas. The best way to do this is to use a white board or a large sketchpad so you have plenty of space for ideas to sprawl.
Another version of this is to write each idea you have for the topic on a separate index card, color-coding is optional. Then play with the cards and add or subtract ideas until you have a workable, visual outline.
Vary Writing Schedule and Times
Experiment with writing at different times, or in different places. Sometimes we set anchors to a specific place or time, making it difficult to perform other tasks. For instance, you may have anchored the notion that your computer is for email and your favorite role-playing game, making it difficult to do serious work. Or you may have anxiety over working in an office, but you’re more relaxed if you’re in a coffee shop.
The best advice for avoiding procrastination: Stop taking the work too seriously and learn to play with your writing. The serious part can wait till you have a first draft or at least a rough outline.
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