What do I NOT do to distract myself from sitting down to write? Connect to the ‘net is the first fatal move. Well, of course I have to check my email, look around the blogs, do some research, read the online news etc etc. When I finally force myself to disconnect so I can get some work done, well - without a cup of coffee, I’m simply not going to get anything done, and while I’m making the coffee, I might as well take the rubbish out to the bin, feed the cat (he won’t leave me alone otherwise), water the plants, make sure the car windows are shut because it looks like rain, clean out the front of the car - and so on and so on.
I am the veritable procrastination master. I could teach it. I could find ways to distract yourself that you have never heard of. I could hold seminars. In fact, I think I’ll draw up a plan now, and doodle around with the idea until it gels, and then I’ll very definitely get down to writing a satirical piece on teaching yourself the art of procrastination.
But first I need a cup of coffee…