I really am writing. I’ve been making my daily word count, but can I just say this again? I really don’t like first drafts! I should. I mean, first drafts are the time when you get to meet new people. It’s like walking into a room full of strangers and you get to spend time with each one and discover who they are. Sounds like fun, right?
Introverts like me don’t like roomfuls of people I don’t know. It takes time to get to really know someone. It’s not like one big gathering is going to do it for me. And that’s why first drafts make me want to procrastinate. I don’t want to know what the bad guy is really thinking. I don’t like imagining the next scene. Like most writers, I like it when it’s all done and I can edit what already exists. Kind of like fixing something that’s already there. Fixing. That’s more fun than building from scratch.
Speaking of fixing…that’s what I’m doing today while I’m trying to avoid writing. I’m researching how to fix things related to my health. In this case, I’m looking up burn remedies because I’m that person who should know better but reached for something that just happened to be behind a steaming tea kettle. (You don’t want to see the current photo with the big blister.) DoTerra Lavender roll on does amazing things for burns. And raw honey. And gauze bandages.
And weighted blankets do amazing things for sleep and pain and a host of other issues. Yes, I like mine so much I ordered another one and a neck wrap for stress. I can’t wait until they get here because writing those first drafts? They make me stress my shoulder muscles and I’m looking forward to something to help that. Did I mention that Tiger likes to steal my blanket?
We are also fixing our house up because one of these years we are going to have to downsize. So the kitchen needs remodeling and I’ve gotten to procrastinate by shopping for granite countertops – FINALLY found one we like (the small piece sitting on the flooring that we didn’t pick) – flooring – again, a decision wrought with just a little bit of frustration but also finally decided on. The sink and faucet were easy, and my engineer husband is certain he can touch up the cabinets and paint issues on his own. So by the end of August I should have a new kitchen. I won’t have a first draft done, but well…I’m getting there.
We bought paint for the bedrooms and new light fixtures, and did I mention grocery shopping online can be a rather nice distraction? Deciding what to keep and what to toss is a little more taxing, but hey, I’ve known writers who would rather clean toilets than write the first draft!
I suppose we all have our reasons for putting off the harder parts of our jobs, but we all eventually force ourselves to sit in the chair and type. My word count still awaits me today because I had to treat a burn and run an errand and of course, vote. I hope everyone realizes how blessed we are to have that privilege to elect our officials. Whatever our choices, just having the right to make that choice and have a voice in the process was a right not easily won. So yes, I voted today too.
And then there was the ice cream sundae at our local ice cream shop, and fast food french fries I normally try to avoid…okay, I had way too much junk food today. Tomorrow it’s back to healthy eating. (Can I blame it on the burn?)
I think my excuses to work have now run out.
Wait…there is a trip I could plan…I need airline tickets and hotel rooms and rental cars and…
Ah well…I thought you might enjoy a little journey into my first draft angst. Sometimes the book is just plain hard to write and every scene takes prayer. Other times it’s too easy and you wonder how you could type so fast. (That doesn’t happen very often!)
In any case, I left Haman (Esther’s story) to his evil plotting and Esther to something I haven’t yet figured out. I suppose they might like to move on. I know I would.
I hope your day is joyful.
~Selah
#amwriting #procrastination #doteraessentialoils #firstdrafts
