 |
| Stephanie Prichard |
Do you allow distractions to keep you from writing? Oh, I
hate to admit it, but I’m guilty! However, there’s hope for overcoming
hindrances to productivity. Give some thought to author Stephanie Prichard’s encouraging
tips and consider starting your own Angst Project. ~ Dawn
The
Angst Project
My book club is reading The
Happiness Project, in which the author journals her month-by-month progress
in nailing down attitudes and habits that will give her a better appreciation
for the happiness she already has. You know, a beautiful house … but it’s
cluttered. A wonderful husband … but she nags him. Good health … but she’s
always tired. And so on.
I’m only a few chapters in, but I’m salivating over her
to-do lists and am tempted to carbon copy her journey. My book club mates,
however, are muttering vague, disparaging remarks, and their chins are drool
dry. Since I’m not as far along in the book as they are, I figure either the
author goes where no sane woman would dare to go, or my mates simply aren’t
devout to-do-listers. Whatever, I know better than to get caught up. I’m a good
beginner but a poor continuer. Every month I throw away my to-do list and start
over.
Nevertheless, I like the concept of dealing with obstacles
that are … well, foolish. Foolish that they’re hindrances, foolish that I allow
them, foolish that they even exist in the first place. In particular, I’m
thinking of why I let myself get distracted from writing. Last week I had two
whole days—TWO WHOLE DAYS!—free to write, with no one and nothing to divert my
attention. And what did I do? Yep, wasted time with distractions.
So I did a bit of analysis and came up with the fact that I
let myself get distracted because I’m anxious. Is my writing good enough? Will
I show not tell? Get the scene goal expressed? Tilt the tension up? Draw the
reader in? Avoid my fave expressions? Get my MRUs straight? Reach a dark
moment? Remember to have a sequel?
The more I learn about writing, the more my angst increases.
Remember when writing used to be fun?
But I can’t go back. I don’t want to go back. I actually do
love making progress, painful as it is.
So I’ve started my own little project. The Angst Project.
What attitudes and actions will help reduce my anxiety and up my productivity?
So far I’ve come up with five.
3. Feel free to jump back and forth between projects.
4. If a project starts to roll, go for it!
5. Have a planned, profitable distraction ready to go (laundry,
a few bills to write, a sink full of
dirty dishes—something good that needs to get done, but that I’m glad to set
aside as soon as I can).
So, I’m curious … do you know what causes you angst? And
what to do about it?
All
Marine Corps reservist Jake Chalmers wants is to give his dying wife a last,
romantic cruise to the Philippines. Unable to save her in a mass murder aboard
ship, he washes ashore a jungle island, where he discovers three other
survivors. Heartbroken that he failed to save his wife, he is determined not to
fail these helpless castaways.
Federal
prosecutor Eve Eriksson rescues a young girl and her elderly great-aunt from
the same ship. They badly need Jake's survival skills, but why is he so
maddeningly careful? She needs to hurry home to nail a significant career
trial. And, please, before Jake learns her secret that she's responsible for
his wife's death.
Stranded:
A Novel is available for only $2.99 at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OQGJBUY
Stephanie
is an army brat who lived in many countries around the world and loved it. She
met her husband at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she majored in
English/Literature. She and Don have lived in Indianapolis, IN, for forty
years, and in retirement have turned to co-authoring novels now that their
three children are busy raising a beautiful crop of grandchildren for them.
You can learn more and connect with Stephanie here:
Blog & newsletter sign-up http://donandstephanieprichard.wordpress.com
Pictures for Stranded:
A Novel www.pinterest.com/stephprichard
Facebook author page www.facebook.com/4u2read
