Procrastination Hell

Any writer who's done their research can tell you the great importance of self-promotion in the rather fragile world of unknown, debut authors. Not only can they explain the essentials point by point, if they're properly prepared they will also have a detailed business plan that's been as thoroughly written out as their book. An ideal plan they are fired-up and eager to launch mucho months before their book's release. It's important to get it right. Necessary in fact, should said writer aspire to have anyone other then their mother click-on Amazon to buy it.

So, yes I do know and understand this and have conscientiously diagrammed my business/promotion essentials on detailed pages. And now, while my book contract is still young I've highlighted the next step on the master plan - which is to thoughtfully list (done) and prepare (not done) mailing envelopes for those reviewers I intend to send copies of my book galleys the very instant they are available from the printer. But rather then having this mostly uncomplicated task completed and checked-off the list - ready to move onto the next ingredient charted on my list, I have too easily fallen into the shameful trap of procrastination. Back-burnering necessary tasks in favor of the 30% off coupon from Kohls - and then three days later returning to the store to cash in my "Kohls Cash" (bonuses earned from the purchases of the previous weeks shopping trip.)

And I have to wonder if running parallel with the elated sense of accomplishment that comes from arriving in sight of the goal line, is some unanticipated sense of uncertainty (fear?) as to the next stage once the marathon's been run and the finish line crossed.

Regardless, whatever temptations may be tugging at my attentions, I know too well the danger of surrendering to those seemingly innocent urges to vacuum the house (there are entire colonies of dust mites reproducing in those carpets!), rake the leaves piling-up in the yard (they're 3 feet deep! it's gonna kill the grass!), shop (but it's 30% off for Pete's sakes!), or catch an afternoon nap (ten minutes is all I need...). To give in makes it that much harder to start-up where I left off. But that's how it is, we start-up and we keep going, because we have to. It's what we do.

My Great Publishing Adventure!

My contract is signed, author photo snapped, manuscript heading into pre-production, promotion plan is in order and slowly cranking to life. I am excited, thrilled, ecstatic, and yet few people as yet know about it. That in itself is difficult to explain considering I've been working toward this milestone FOREVER, though maybe that's the issue. Although not superstitious, I am cautious enough that I never count my chickens before they hatch, never cross an intersection against the taboo red hand (well maybe on ocassion, but rarely), never announce "potential" good news until it's a done deal that's been wrapped and tied with a bow.

Even so, I think my reluctance to shouting from the rooftops that "my novel is coming, my novel is coming!" at this point in time must be for the truth that I've been a writer far longer than I've been an author. Author, as in published; sentances bound between two covers, neatly shelved amongst the other pretty volumes on a bookstore shelf. Or maybe my slow motion response to declare my own unbelievable and amazing news is due to simple wonder and awe that the dream is at long last cranking out into a space in real life where it will have an actual existence beyond the simple confines of my own head.

Wonder and awe is no exaggeration either. Over these past several days since signing on the dotted line (November 9th - the BIG day), I find myself continually amazed by my own news. So much so that more and more I catch myself while in the midst of conversation, watching tv, at a doctor's appointment, all at once picturing my beautifully finished novel open in a stranger's hands (unlike friends and relatives that are REQUIRED to purchase and read my book) -- unknown fingers turning the pages, eyes following the words, thoughts holding my story.

So, here it starts - or in truth continues - my great publishing adventure. The flag is down, the race is on!