The Obliteration of Procrastination: Unconverted Image
by Kim Ripley

Sure we all procrastinate from time to time. It's a common human flaw. Freelance writers, however, can find themselves in serious organizational dilemmas if they routinely put off for tomorrow what they should be doing today!

Writers have to follow a list of steps throughout the writing process. Those steps include querying, accepting an assignment, calling resources, setting up interviews, and writing the articles. In addition, some freelancers even find themselves coordinating the photography end of some assignments. Procrastination in the midst of these jobs can result in unnecessary confusion, and ultimately the loss of freelance assignments.

This week alone I received three assignments from a new magazine, two for two different newspapers, six for a series of syndicated columns, and two for a magazine in Florida. In addition to these assignments, I had my newsletter to get out, I write monthly columns for three additional publications, bi-monthly columns for two more, and had several contracts for acceptances to anthologies that needed signing and mailing. Let's not forget my family of five kids, a husband, an elderly mother-in-law and a dog! Oh yes, and I homeschool one of our children. Where would YOU start?

I started by utilizing my fool-proof calendar system. Using an online calendar that provides me with daily reminders and a printable monthly version, I entered the deadlines for all these articles. Then I transferred the information to two wall calendars. Between the three, it's hard to forget to do something. Next, I called contacts and sources for the articles--in order of their deadline dates. This meant setting up interviews---some as phone interviews, others for people I'll meet in person. Next it was back to the calendars, of course, to enter the dates and times of interviews.

Procrastination might have found me putting off making these initial phone calls. Without people to interview, I would have no basis to begin my articles. Once these steps are in place, I can work on the articles at my leisure---well ahead of my deadlines.

Writers face other challenges involving procrastination, too. Some receive acceptances from editors, only to put off sending in the promised article. Some receive acceptances for collections of stories---anthologies---but procrastinate in returning the signed contracts to the publisher. This occasionally results in a writer's work being omitted from a publication.

It's true that life can overwhelm a writer--especially freelancers with other obligations like families, spouses, and homes. By not procrastinating initially, however, you can be sure of accomplishing all you set out to do.

Here's how I'll handle tomorrow. I'll get up at 6 AM. Within minutes I'll have checked all three calendars to be sure they coincide, and if for any reason they don't I make changes as needed. Next I read my Bible and our daily newspaper. Writers need to fuel their passion. Reading is a great way to start my day. By the time my youngest child gets up (he goes to public school) I have dressed, had coffee, and set out materials for my middle schooler's homeschooling for the day. By this time (usually 7:30 AM) I have a pretty good idea of what we'll have for supper, and plan accordingly for a visit (or not) to the store.

Once my son is at school and my daughter begins school here at home, it's time to return phone calls, keep those interview appointments, and work on my writing. I schedule interviews that coincide with my daughter's school work---phone interviews while she works on an independent assignment, and "in-person" interviews when she goes to her math tutor or music lessons. I write when she is nearby, or at night when my husband can help with the whole gang.

There are always glitches. They happen no matter what your calling in life may be. Procrastination, however, is not a glitch. It is an avoidable situation. Make those calls, set up those appointments, go to the store so you'll have ingredients for dinner, and write those articles. Procrastination will only serve to undermine the entire process.

Writers with no publications to their credit are sometimes guilty of procrastination, too.

"I didn't send that query yet, because they probably wouldn't want it anyway."

How do you know? The worst that can happen is you'll receive a rejection. At the same time, however, you've gained the experience of writing one additional query.

So get to work. Accept those assignments. Make a few phone calls. Set up some appointments. Take a break and spend time with your family and friends, too. This is especially vital to the refueling process.

Practice makes perfect, and it also leads to the obliteration of procrastination. Just think---you might even include that accomplishment on your writer's resume!

Copyright 2003 Kim Ripley. All Rights Reserved.

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