Archive for Procrastination
Tampa Writer’s Alliance
In an attempt to reintegrate myself in the writing habit and in the writing world, I forced my socially awkward, anxiety-stuffed self to revisit the Tampa Writer’s Alliance. Today was a special meeting where the face of the Gerber baby, author Ann Turner Cook, was speaking on the following:
“I strongly recommend paying a professional editor and getting the backing of an agent. Even if you don’t succeed in selling a work, this will assure it is of publishing quality. I found going with an established print-on-demand publisher works well in that you receive a professional-looking volume and don’t wind up with a garage of unsold books. I also recommend having a professional editor you can confer with in person. Prospective novelists must realize writing means a lot of re-writing, and should be willing to take suggestions for revision from their editor.”
The meeting was more about publishing and didn’t focus as much as I wished it did on the pros and cons of going the traditional publishing route. It was informative, don’t get me wrong, but a lot of what was discussed were things I was already familiar with or things I have already done. Like how the publishing world works. And I’ve already gone through the querying process and am aware of the “no-no’s” when contacting an agent. Still, it was great to hear a writer discuss it.
She was very old and didn’t get her first book published till she was about 75 in 2001, and she didn’t sound too familiar with ePublishing or anything like that. But again, I took away something from the meeting.
I also ended the night writing them a check for the membership fee, in order to reintroduce myself to the group. I intend on attending the Critique group sessions the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. If I’m going to continue procrastinating, at least I can keep my craft somewhat honed.
Social Media!
Just a quick entry. As I’m trying to get back into the writing grind, as a form of procrastination, instead of actually writing today, I decided instead to spend some time installing social media forms to “follow” and “share” stuff from the blog, including a counter, displaying my Twitter feed, and (hopefully) establishing a connection between Twitter and WordPress so that each time I post a blog, it sends an update to Twitter.
Ha! So many useless things that will be important later, but for now are just a great way to avoid writing. It’s not that I don’t want to. There’s just been a lot going on in my personal life as of late. But that is no excuse!
Going bike riding in about 45 minutes. Then, hopefully, tonight or tomorrow morning, some real crankin’ on the book here. 
It’s complicated
After a one-two-three? month long writing block, I begin yet again. According to my mathematician, I am 58% through my editor’s revision. Psh. Well, I went on a block because of that typical bullshit writer’s do. You know, that whole, Oh my god, I’m so pathetic, I’m never going to make it bit. Here I am again. The year is coming to a close and reality is biting me in the ass.
Tiffany, it’s simple. Either finish the goddamn book and start marketing or remain unpublished…forever.
It’s a tough road, the newbie writer. Anyway, I am going to bed now, only to wake up bright and early in about 6 hours to do some serious writing before work at 5pm. That’s right. More writing soon. I will not stop. I will fight. I will continue.
No matter how exasperating this entire process can be at times.