Thread: Laziness

After studying for a political science midterm, running on a treadmill, and writing for the student newspaper, I often find that I have little energy left at night when I get back to my dorm room to edit my novel. I can write just fine; I love writing. But I've finished a full-length manuscript and I really want to edit it by the end of the summer so that I can send something out to an agent/publisher to try my luck.

Is there any way to overcome my laziness and, in stead of curling up with whatever new fiction I've bought, force myself to edit? I know, I know, I should buck up, be a man, and hack my paper to death. But after writing so much during the day (my major and my work at the student newspaper literally means all I do is write...albeit what I write is boring) all I want to do is get a cup of coffee, sit down on my couch, and read some fiction for a bit. It doesn't help that now I'm reading some great authors (Iain M. Banks and TH White).

*Sigh*

After studying for a political science midterm, running on a treadmill, and writing for the student newspaper,

At this point, I would've cared less 'bout my novel and rested for a couple of hours.

I prefer editing or writing during a time when I'm refreshed and my mind is open, unless of course the writing is absolutely necessary. (like for an assignment or exam)

I would say forcing yourself is probably unwise. Take your first draft and put it away for a little while. If its printed out, pick it up in a few months and read it.

If you go about your editing as a chore or feel pressured you will likely only skim the manuscript and make more work for yourself.

My manuscript has gone through four drafts and it needed every one. Your grasp of the English language and its mechanics is probably way better than mine, but to produce a marketable novel you shouldn't be in a hurry.

If you're too tired at the end of the day, edit at a different time.

Best of luck Helcio

I guess this is where people chime in and tell you to give yourself a break, or push yourself or listen to music or stand on your head for 15 minutes or whatever. I'm guessing if you want to do it, you'll find the time and energy to get it done -- you'll either prioritize or otherwise fit it into your schedule or you won't. Writing sites seem to be the only place this kind of whining goes on. Everyone is busy. "Buck up" or not -- it's up to you.

Originally Posted by JosephB

Everyone is busy. "Buck up" or not -- it's up to you.

Spoken like a true drill Sgt.

Originally Posted by JosephB

Writing sites seem to be the only place this kind of whining goes on.

Trust me, writing sites aren't the only places where this kind of whining goes on.

Originally Posted by TheFuhrer02

Trust me, writing sites aren't the only places where this kind of whining goes on.

We all bitch, it in our nature.

^ Agreed.

Well if you were like me then I would say "sleep!?! Who needs that? you are least productive when you are asleep, you waste your time doing nothing while you could be playing, writing, drawing and a host of other things that you could be doing. Practice is the code word here, I only need four hours of sleep every day". That is what i would do but then again you are not me, I push my self because the only time I get for doing what I want is after 11 so after 4 years of following this routine, I dont need a lot of sleep.

Originally Posted by TheFuhrer02

Trust me, writing sites aren't the only places where this kind of whining goes on.

Sure. But writing sites are one of the few places where it's generally endorsed.

Thanks guys. I actually have my conscious mind tell myself what JosephB is saying, but it doesn't work. Maybe I need some Adderall or something...I imagine if I was a published novelist, with the reassurance that my book will get published, and with ample time to write (because writing would be my job), I would find it way easier to write.

But being an unpublished writer with the goal of being published is tough. We all have other lives--other jobs. Some of us have school too. I have BOTH school and a job and the student newspaper. It gets kind of overwhelming sometimes. I actually kind of feel like I need a break soon or I'm going to break open. Thank God summer is on the horizon.

Originally Posted by JosephB

Sure. But writing sites are one of the few places where it's generally endorsed.

Hmm... Good point.

Originally Posted by JosephB

Sure. But writing sites are one of the few places where it's generally endorsed.

I'm not really sure what your beef is Joseph8. People vent, others offer support. Some take advice. Some don't. It's no skin off my hide if someone is frustrated and needs a bit of encouragement or advice.

I just don't see the issue.

Eh, force yourself to write/edit on the last hour of every day before sleep. Shorten it to half an hour if you can't quite cope on particular nights. If you don't write at all- let the guilt eat you up. (Could be anytime of the day really- so long as it is unchanging and a permanent fixture.)

Edit- My hour starts in a few minutes.

Originally Posted by MJ Preston

I'm not really sure what your beef is Joseph8. People vent, others offer support. Some take advice. Some don't. It's no skin off my hide if someone is frustrated and needs a bit of encouragement or advice.

I just don't see the issue.

What makes you so sure my take on this is any less helpful than some virtual pat on the shoulder or other generic advice? I'm betting some people just might think, "Hey, I am whining --this is something I need to work out on my own." And the OP sure didn't seem to mind.

Your drill sergeant analogy isn't bad -- sometimes people need reality check or a kick in the pants. Think of it as tough love.