Check Your Email…

Written by Writer Dad on September 29, 2008 - View Comments
Categories: Writing

Wisdom is knowing what to do next; virtue is doing it. 

~David Star Jordan

Happy Monday. 

You should be reading the first few words of a well articulated thought right now; the first few crumbs today, the entire trail taking us all the way until Friday.

 

You are not and will not be following any trail.  At least not yet.

I planned to break a string of ideas into sequential posts, each adding hue to the overall picture of what I’d love to draw from Writer Dad.  

The first post was scheduled for today.

This has been my plan for each of the last five Mondays.

I haven’t even started.

Every week, something else to work on.  Valid excuses, forever in reach.  

It would be easy to swear I did my best, but I didn’t.  The whisper was there, and I did not command his  silence.  You know the voice.  We all have one.  Mine tells me to check my email, or my analytics… or my email (it’s been five minutes after all).

If I massed my misspent minutes, I’d gather more than enough to write the words you should be reading now.

Check your email…

Typically, I’m not a procrastinator.  I do my share, but for me it’s like social drinking.  When I do procrastinate, I give a hundred percent. 

Check your analytics.  It’s been two days….

When I delay, it’s often with purpose.  My novel needs a steady hand and sustained silence to rise to it’s potential.  I couldn’t toggle it and Writer Dad.  I put it off, and will continue to do so, at least until other projects are breathing. 

Check your email…

Procrastination on the looming post was legitimate.  The blog was growing fast, changing week to week; I had to stay patient, while paying attention.

Postponement was prudent, but it’s time to jingle my keys.  

I’ll start today.  You can read the first part here in exactly one week.

Check your reader….

I’m not disappointed it isn’t started.  It’s my nature to sprint before gun splits silence.  

Daisy’s taught me patience.  She’ll follow me anywhere, but sometimes asks that I wait.  

I’m sure the post will be immeasurably better for its month or so of marinade.

However, it’s important to be accountable, even if only to ourselves.  

Credibility is important.  When our behavior doesn’t chase our verbiage, then our words are air inside a leaking balloon.  

If I say something, I mean it.  When I write it, I mean it even more.

No excuses.  Next Monday, Writer Dad: My Big Long Post.

Check your email…

Writer Dad

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  • Writer Dad
    Deb: I like the name of your site. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for stopping by.
  • Oh, this is good ... you may be almost as good at procrastinating as I am, but definitely better at making it work for you! (grin).

    <abbr>--Debs last blog post..Business: It’s All in the Cards</abbr>
  • Writer Dad
    B.Wilde: Me too. When I actually write, I'm fast, but I must be eternally conscious that I'm not frittering minutes.
  • You have captured the essence of writing for me. I have found that it's not that I experience writer's block too often, but that it's getting me to focus. Once I'm in the grove my writing will flow. However, first I have to check my email, then my other email account, then search something on Google, oh--and I've got to check out so-and-so's new post. And on and on and on. In fact recently I realized that my complaints about not having enough time are not always valid because even when I do have time I get distracted. I totally relate to this post as I'm sure so many writers do as well. This is real life. You captured it.
  • Writer Dad
    Kyddryn: I'm glad you'll get it when it's fresh. Nothing's as sour as a week old post.

    Wendi: I will check Amazon today, and I promise to continue to just write. I wrote today about something that happened yesterday afternoon. If felt immediate, in the moment, and wonderful.

    Robin: It is being flexible. I just don't want to bend TOO far.

    Apathy Lounge: You'll probably like today's post even more then.

    Matthew Dryden: I have mine when I know I'm going to.
  • @Writer Dad: I usually have mine when I know I've screwed something up.

    @Jamie: "Artistically sensitive" is just fancy words for "productive self-doubt."

    @Writer Dad's @Jamie: That sounded so dirty.

    Matthew Drydens last blog post..You Only See The Results
  • Yes! What I was going to say! Your tone is less measured and even. You sound as though you're starting to react to what is around you. I like it.

    apathy lounges last blog post..Now all Hell's done broke loose...
  • Changing plans is just being flexible - I know what you mean by distractions, though

    Robins last blog post..Ice And Global Warming
  • Go buy Julia Cameran's books. NOW.

    Pick which ever one speaks to you first. Then just keep getting them and read them all.

    I feel for you. As you know we are in the same boat. Alex gave me some really good advice and I am taking it and I give it to you. Just spend a certian amount of time each day just doing it.

    I also add her advice. Just show up each day to the page and do it. Write IN the moment. Which you did. That was very real. Great job.

    Third-Don't worry about writing the great post or Novel- Just write.
    We promise to read it.

    really.

    lots of hugs to you.

    Wendi Kelly-Life's Little Inspirationss last blog post..Cleaning Closets
  • I may be rather glad that you're waiting just a little longer - I'm going to be too busy to do much reading or writing this week, and I'd be sorry to miss it while is was fresh!

    Shade and Sweetwater,
    K
  • Writer Dad
    Jamie: I fully acknowledge their interruptive, but I think it's rude to ignore them. Even if I don't know the color of your eyes, I still respect your time.

    Chase: There are NEVER enough hours in the day, or days in the week and so on.

    Brett: Someone drew a mustache on me one time, but I let them. Thanks, I do consider time my friend.

    Ellen: Your novel in October! That's awesome. I can't wait to read it. I'm super happy for you. That's so wonderful. Thanks for asking about the contest. I did not. I did however, do well in the nominations. I came in fourth place, right behind Men with Pens. The contest itself was 55% how educational you are for writers. If I'd known that, I wouldn't have asked for the nomination. But it was awesome to see how many people went out and yelled my name. It was really cool.

    Jamie: I'm sensitively artistic all over the place.
  • Tara - thanks.

    Dave - Or, he could've just taken Monday off like certain ex-copper bloggers I won't mention by name (cough..DAVE...cough).

    Blogger Dads last blog post..Worst Album Covers Two : Electric Boogaloo
  • Brett gets the cookie of the day for that comment. :0) Makes me want to sob into a wadded up tissue.

    @ Matthew Weakness is relative. Using literary freedom means we can call it " artistic sensitivity". ;)

    Jamie Simmermans last blog post..Pick the Brain of Harrison McLeod of Men With Pens
  • Hey, did you ever win the best writers's website or whatever the hell that was? Over at the white paper guys site?

    Ellen Wilsons last blog post..Writers’ Block: Concrete or Myth?
  • Writer Dad, smitten with ADHD. Naught to do but go crazy with your crazy mind for awhile.

    I have to say I'm pretty happy with my productivity today. Didn't get to my novel. But I will be done with it in October! At least that's what I promised myself and Jaden.

    Unfortunately the things that don't pay take a back seat to the things that do pay. That really sucks.

    I wonder what life would be like without money?

    Ellen Wilsons last blog post..Writers’ Block: Concrete or Myth?
  • I had a friend who used to draw on your face when I was asleep (or mostly when I was drunk, actually).

    But in the end, he came through for me when it counted - just like time will for you... ;)

    Brett Legrees last blog post..they live.
  • I know how you feel. There is so much stuff I have needed / wanted to do lately that I have put off simply by doing other things.

    It seems that sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day.

    Chase Marchs last blog post..Chase March - on a podcast!
  • Ah, the dreaded email. You formally have my permission to ignore all my emails until the next day. I have nothing of value to say anyways. ;)

    Tom Chandler actually posted on how email interruptions take something like 64 seconds of your time for each email. http://copywriterunderground.com

    That adds up to like 8 hours a month if you only check every half an hour, and you KNOW you check more often than that!

    Jamie Simmermans last blog post..Pick the Brains of Top Bloggers!
  • Writer Dad
    Jim: Don't we all?

    Dave: Too, too funny.

    Jess: I think that most things I put off are all the better for it. This post is no exception, but I do believe it has been put off long enough.

    Just Anna: Mine too!

    Vered: What Beth said.

    Anne Cleveland: I think that's exactly what it is. Thanks for the faith.

    Marelisa: I need a log like that. I might be scared of what I see.

    Chris: Funny; that's what my mom said about this post.

    Bamboo: You have to get thin to make our post thick. I'm ready to lay it down.
  • Blogging isn't easy, by any stretch of the imagination.

    Getting your game on, can stretch you thin.

    Bamboo Forests last blog post..7 Ways to Settle a Dispute
  • I guess all of us have our Seinfeld moment...
  • Ah yes, the voice. Get some water, get some coffee, maybe a snack, check the voicemail and cellphone messages, make a couple of calls, I should wash my hair, check your blog stats . . .

    But you know, today I printed out a time log for myself and I have it right next to me, and am jotting down everything I do and how long it takes me. I have to say it's helping a lot to keep me sitting here at my computer reading blogs and leaving comments :-)

    Marelisas last blog post..27 Simple Ways to Simplify Your Life
  • Interesting what you say, and look forward to what you will say next. Dont be concerned about procrastination, probably just a good article incubating.

    My last post yesterday: Debates & Dear John Letter

    Anne Clevelands last blog post..FREEDOM, YOUR MONEY AND A DOG STORY
  • Yes, Vered, they are, but they're such an enjoyable distraction.

    beths last blog post..MonHaibun: Bored by Poetry
  • Emails and feed readers are a HUGE distraction, aren't they?

    Looking forward. :)

    Vered - MomGrinds last blog post..10 Bizarre Ads: What Were They Thinking?
  • oh Jess...I am this person, my basket is so full of great fruit!

    just annas last blog post..Our Day at Mariposa Agri-Nature Trail!
  • I used to feel guilt all the time (ok, I still do), about not being able to stick with The Plan, and getting sidetracked, etc. . . but I read somewhere that sometimes this is can be a virtue of creative people, that we're open to the present and fully experiencing life, meanwhile the creative solution we are searching for can sometimes come together when our mind is on other things (that a-ha moment) . . . so, I know that doesn't work in terms of deadlines but sometimes we gather richer fruit along the way.
  • WD, you could just publish some old album covers then take the rest of the day off. That's what I'm going to do anyway.

    :twisted:

    Dave Fowlers last blog post..Why I Want To Feel Hungry
  • Exactly. How did you know I bring the laptop in the bathroom?

    Jim Gaudets last blog post..PLEASE!!! Stop Re-Shouting Me
  • Writer Dad
    Evelyn: I'm starting it tonight when my babies are snoring. I'm excited, and I'm not worrying about cleaning my inbox until it's finished.

    Kip de Moll: Well said.

    Tara: Blogger Dad owns the comments today.

    Jim: Nirvana, right? It's my pleasure to give you good reading material (just don't take me into the bathroom with you).

    massed my misspent minutes, massed my misspent minutes, massed my misspent minutes, massed my misspent minutes, massed my misspent minutes...

    Pink Ink: That's a nice compliment. Thanks.

    Steph: I'll be here, just painting with a single coat. I spend thirty years stealing the spotlight from KittyTown, I can't just hand it to her now.
  • PS. that image is hilarious!!

    stephs last blog post..EditQuest at your Service
  • Hey man, it's all right. Everyone understands the breaks you have to take, or the obligations you have to answer to. And the millions of projects you have populating that fertile brain of yours.

    I understand your post well, and I'm sure everyone else does too. No worries. We're not that fickle. We'll be back when you are.

    But, um, if you really feel guilty in the meantime, there's always Kittytown...I mean, you know, does she have anymore stories? :)

    stephs last blog post..EditQuest at your Service
  • I love short posts that pack in something big :-)

    Pink Inks last blog post..Please, No Lies
  • I can't wait for the day where I don't need to spend my day working to pay the bills, and use the rest of the day enjoying blog posts from you and others that I read daily.
    I want to blog, I really do. But, I never have the time. What is important, right? Currently I cannot put my blog high on the priority list, in fact I spend more time reading blogs and commenting than I do writing.
    Maybe I am scared of my horrible writing habits, or just procrastinating.

    Anyway, I am glad that you and others find the time to give me something good to read on a daily basis.

    BTW - "massed my misspent minutes" WOW say that 5 times fast...

    ~ Jim
  • Blogger Dad, hilarious.
    Really looking forward to that GREAT comment next week now. No pressure . . .

    Tara@From Dawn Till Rusks last blog post..Which superhero are you?
  • Blogger Dad's brilliant comment causes my fingers to pause. In our need to match in reality the grandiosity of our ideas, many fingers hesitate and fall silent

    Kip de Molls last blog post..The Mankind Project
  • No one is going to hammer you over a short post. We all understand how it feels like to be a blogger. There are just too many things to take care of, each day. It can be energy draining when stuff like email starts to pile up.

    Anyways, I will be looking forward to the loooong post that you are intending to write. Take care!

    Evelyn Lims last blog post..Building The Businesses Of Our Dreams
  • Writer Dad
    Matthew: I have at least three moments a day. I'm glad you caught one.

    Blogger Dad: That's funny. It's totally like the Afroman song. That would be a better excuse than the bag I've been carrying.

    J.D.: Thanks. I'm happy it hasn't been done, but I'm excited to start it tonight.

    Miguel de Luis: I'm going to start using Twitter no later than January. Hopefully earlier.

    Scott: There is a plan, and I follow it loosely. I don't mind taking a step back, so long as I'm taking two steps forward.

    Lance: I just wanted to yell really loud that I was going to have it done. That way, I knew my odds would skyrocket.

    Dr. Cason: You are absolutely, brilliantly, correct.

    Motivate Thyself: Thanks. I don't know how to be any other way.

    Betsy: Ha, you made me laugh. I beat myself up before I begin. Don't worry, time will make us better.

    Brett: Time is like your best friend that draws on your face while you're sleeping.

    Julie: Thank you for making me laugh out loud. No, I am not Superman.

    Michael Martine: I am indeed. Me too. You'll have to catch it after vacation.

    Emily: Thanks. I try.

    Janine: Ironically, this post was the easiest thing I've written in a couple of weeks. Children down, post written, snoring early. It was a wonderful evening.
  • A procrastinating post about procrastination. How brilliant.

    In my undergrad university creative writing class, our professor asked us to write a poem about not being able to write a poem. It was honestly the most difficult writing exercise I had ever been handed.

    I will anxiously await next Monday's post!

    Janine Duffs last blog post..Man in Black.
  • I love your ability to make a great post about not having a great post.

    Emilys last blog post..Your Stuff Is Talking About You
  • Well, with a set-up like that, I guess you're committed. :)

    Looking forward to it.
  • I'm crushed. You mean to tell me you're NOT Superman? ;)

    Julies last blog post..Somewhere On The Circle
  • You are human, my friend, as are we all, and I don't think that comes through in writing better anywhere else than it does here - I know where you are, because I am there too.

    One thing I know you don't leave by the wayside is the "Dad" part of "Writer Dad", so be proud of that and don't worry - you'll get this task done, and everything else along the way - in time.

    -Brett

    Brett Legrees last blog post..they live.
  • Thoughtful and open. Where to begin? Not necessarily at the beginning, especially for a procrastinator. The important thing is not where to begin, but just. to. begin.

    I tell myself while procrastinating that I'm waiting for the creative burst to happen. But that is so rare. Characterizing it as a slog before I begin demeans the unseen product. So, in essence, I am beating myself up for crappy output BEFORE it is put out. Therapy, anyone? :)

    Thanks.

    Betsy Wuebkers last blog post..SURVIVOR
  • Isn't it amazing how blogging can become a task master?! There's just so many 'must dos' that you can't help but fall behind at times. I think that kid inside us saying, "I don't wanna'" tends to come out when things pull too hard. Don't worry, though, we're all that kid sometimes.

    I appreciate your honesty and openness. Eric.

    "Motivate Thyself"s last blog post..This Baby’s Still In Diapers!
  • This is what Covey says is

    "Unimportant but Urgent". The ringing telephone is another.

    You need to spend more time with the " Important but not Urgent". It's what will bring you the most happiness. :)
  • So many things to sidetrack us...email, our Google stats, other blogs, television, goofing off, errands, ... We've all been there. Putting this out there, it makes you accountable - and that can be a powerful motivator. I know it will be great...looking forward to what is to come...

    Lances last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day
  • Scott McIntyre
    Procrastination... the enemy! ;-)

    I guess creativity can't be timed to come to the boil like water. It happens when it happens.

    So, I can identify with what you are saying.

    The best laid plans to do a certain something at a particular time in a specific way often get derailed by this crazy thing called 'Life'.

    But, that's ok...

    The main thing is- at least there IS a plan. :-)
  • Hi WriterDad, we are all just humans here, with the possible exception of some spam robot. (And we don't like those).

    I think you could use something like twitter or tumblr to be accountable.

    Miguel de Luiss last blog post..Roots, how to make them grow
  • This reminds me of a story. During a foosball game, I kept going for the long shot. My mentor said, if you always go for the long shot, you'll miss out on all of the beautiful short and middle shots along the way. It changed my game.

    You have to admit, you've been hitting a lot of beautiful middle along the way. Good luck with your long shot.

    J.D. Meiers last blog post..Label What is Right with Things
  • I was going to write a comment. A GREAT comment, full of the wisdom of sages, words that would make you think, cry, laugh and maybe pee your pants a little. But alas, I got sidetracked. So, next week... a GREAT comment.

    I promise.

    On another note, this post reminds me of Afroman's "Because I Got High" song.

    "I was gonna' make some toast, but then I got high,
    I was gonna' write this post, but then I got high,"

    Blogger Dads last blog post..Worst Album Covers Two : Electric Boogaloo
  • This feels more frantic and real than your other posts. It feels almost like a moment of weakness here...almost.

    Matthew Drydens last blog post..You Only See The Results
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