Over the next few weeks I'm going to write about the difficulty of staying focused -- at least as it pertains to me.
It's funny, or perhaps tragic in some respects, that I used to be very disciplined when it came to my writing. I suppose it stemmed from my work as a reporter and editor for more than 30 years, when I had to deal with deadlines, often on breaking news events.
But as I've grown older, I find myself getting distracted. There was a time, when working on a novel, that I would set a self-imposed deadline on finishing a project. That's not to say that I would simply stop on the due date, but I would generally have 95 percent of the draft finished, if not already completed.
Those were the days when I was employed full-time, and time was of the essence when working on a book. I'd get up early and write for two-three hours, then get ready for work. It was a routine I stayed with until I finished the manuscript.
Now that I'm retired, it seems the free time to write is overwhelming. I know that probably doesn't make sense, but not having blocks of time designated for writing and research bring on procrastination.
And procrastination is something I'm beginning to master -- to my own detriment -- because I keep putting things off or occupying my time with activities that distract from my writing.
Now to regain some discipline in my writing life.
Until the next time....
It's funny, or perhaps tragic in some respects, that I used to be very disciplined when it came to my writing. I suppose it stemmed from my work as a reporter and editor for more than 30 years, when I had to deal with deadlines, often on breaking news events.
But as I've grown older, I find myself getting distracted. There was a time, when working on a novel, that I would set a self-imposed deadline on finishing a project. That's not to say that I would simply stop on the due date, but I would generally have 95 percent of the draft finished, if not already completed.
Those were the days when I was employed full-time, and time was of the essence when working on a book. I'd get up early and write for two-three hours, then get ready for work. It was a routine I stayed with until I finished the manuscript.
Now that I'm retired, it seems the free time to write is overwhelming. I know that probably doesn't make sense, but not having blocks of time designated for writing and research bring on procrastination.And procrastination is something I'm beginning to master -- to my own detriment -- because I keep putting things off or occupying my time with activities that distract from my writing.
Now to regain some discipline in my writing life.
Until the next time....
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