Procrastination: The Art of Avoiding Your Book by Thinking About Other Books

 Ah, procrastination. The writer’s best friend and worst enemy.

There I am, staring at my current work-in-progress. The book I should be writing. The one I’ve plotted, outlined, and sworn to finish. The one that, if I could just focus, might actually turn into something brilliant.

And then—out of nowhere—boom.

A new idea. Not just any idea, but the best idea. The kind that whispers seductively, “Forget your current book. This is the one. The one readers will love. The one that’ll practically write itself.”

Lies.

Because let’s be real—this isn’t about inspiration. This is about procrastination. My brain, in all its trickery, would rather dream up an entirely new book than actually do the hard work of finishing the one I’ve already started.

And it’s never just one idea. No, suddenly, I’m drowning in plots, characters, and settings that have nothing to do with what I’m supposed to be working on. A fantasy novel when I’m writing contemporary. A children's book about my cat. And so on...

I tell myself to be strong. To write these ideas down and ignore them. But next thing I know, I’m outlining, naming characters, maybe even designing a cover (just for fun, I say).

Meanwhile, my actual manuscript sits untouched, judging me.

This is the curse of being a writer. We are masters of avoiding the book we’re writing by thinking about all the books we could be writing. Because starting something new is exciting. Finishing something? That’s the real challenge.

So if you, too, find yourself suddenly inspired by everything except the book you’re supposed to be writing—congratulations. You’re officially a writer. Welcome to the struggle.

Now, go back to your manuscript. (And yes, I’m saying this as much to myself as I am to you.)

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