Scarlett O’Hara is famous for saying, “I’ll think about that tomorrow.” Can procrastination be a good thing? Dr. Diana Stout thinks it can be. Welcome to my blog, Dr. D. Thank you, so much Elizabeth, for inviting me to share what I’ve learned and am practicing. So, without any further procrastination let me proclaim that I’m the Master of My Procrastination! Once upon a time… as all the best stories begin, I was a solid procrastinator. But on this day, I was practicing procrastination purposefully. It was January 6, 2014, with two feet of snow outside and artic temperatures that Read More
Tag: Writing Process
Why Every Author Needs to Sing “Itsy Bitsy Spider”
As my daughter Kate and I drove home from our shopping trip today, we were trying desperately to keep her twins, Peanut and Punkin, from falling asleep in the car and thus spoiling their naps. We went through the animal sounds until even Punkin got tired of mooing and hoo-hooing and singing the alphabet. Her protests were getting increasingly energetic. I started to sing one of their favorite songs from a book in their toy box at our house. “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” They listened and asked me to sing it again, and again, and again. The third time through (or Read More
How the Opening Scene Can Make or Break a Book
Have you ever read a book that grabbed you from the first sentence and never let go until “The End?” Have you ever been so captured by the opening scene that you reread it? Those are books with good hooks. I’ve often read that an editor will decide whether or not to acquire book based on the first page. Some say the first five pages; some say the first five paragraphs. The point is, the opening scene can make or break a book’s snagging that longed-for contract. The same buy-in is true for readers, although I believe most readers give Read More
Can Washi Tape Change My Life?
I’d never heard of washi tape. (*audible gasps resound*) That is until two members of my writers’ group presented a program on how to use bullet journals in writing. Washi tape was involved. Colorful, patterned, floral washi tape. And stickers. Yes, stickers. I have to admit, my first instinct was to sit back, fold my arms, and think, This is a way to avoid writing. But I scolded my judgmental self (I’m a one on the Enneagram) and said, Shhh. You might learn something. And I did. I’m often complimented on how disciplined a writer I am. The truth is, Read More
Writing Lessons Learned from a Virus and a Puzzle
I’ve just recovered from a recent virus that laid me flat for over two weeks. In addition to a wicked sore throat, unstoppable cough, and absolutely no energy, I walked around in a brain fog. When I felt well enough to be vertical, I did jigsaw puzzles in spurts throughout the day. This is what this virus and my jigsaw puzzles taught me about writing. Sometimes Pieces Just Come Along and Fit I finished three puzzles in the course of the two weeks. The first one went together in my usual process: complete as much of the outside frame as Read More