I’ve spent the morning finding ways to avoid writing. I’ve tidied my desk, updated by accounts, replied to emails, shopped for groceries, done the washing and hoovered the flat. Now I’m at the gym, on the treadmill. I’m warming up and I’m going nowhere. Much like my writing.
This level of procrastination doesn’t happen very often, but when it does I’ve learned to just accept it. Writing doesn’t always comes easily to me – far from it – but when it feels like such a chore that I’d rather be doing the ironing, I think it’s time we had some space.
I also think that the physical space in which I write can have a profound effect. My desk really was a mess this morning and has been for weeks. Trying to focus with all that clutter around me was impossible. Whether my decluttered desk will prove more conducive remains to be seen (I’m sure it will, if not today then tomorrow or Monday) but if not there’s always the laptop and the library. Sometimes a change of scenery can kickstart an idea or offer a new perspective.
And if I don’t get much writing done today, so be it. I’ll use the time to read. I’m currently working my way through Belinda Bauer’s backlist and enjoying it immensely. Time reading is never time wasted. Or so I keep telling myself.