First Friday With the Crew: Who's in the procrastinator's club?

Hi Get Lost in a Story Friends!!

This is Liz bringing you the First Friday crew post this time around. Did you know that September is National Self-Improvement Month? (It's also National Blueberry Popsicle month, but the number of things one can say about blueberry popsicles, I've discovered, is somewhat limited ). And  I also discovered two special days that fall within Self-Improvement month--this very weekend.

September 5th (Saturday) is National Be Late For Something Day

September 6th (Sunday)  is National Fight Procrastination Day

(Personally--I don't need a special day to celebrate Be Late For Something. However, fighting procrastination? I could definitely use someone to show me how that's done!

Writers are particularly affected by the effects of procrastination. It can cause trauma and stress that can make an author ready for a rubber room. I know, because I am living proof.  So I wanted to know if any of my fellow GLIAS hosts have a problem with procrastination (believe it or not, not everybody does--amazing!). I also wondered what, during Self-Improvement month, they'd improve about themselves.  Here's what five of your favorite GLIAS Crewmembers had to say!

QUESTION 1: Are you a procrastinator or do you NEVER procrastinate--and how does however you answered affect your writing process for good or evil?

QUESTION 2: If there was one thing you'd improve about yourself (other than anything to do with looks) what would that be?

LIZBETH SELVIG 

 1. This is hard to admit but I am totally a play before work kind of person. I am also a person who totally believes she can get ten must-do things done in a day no matter how unrealistic the time frame. Put those two traits together and you have a recipe for late nights and last minute finishes. I am very very good at getting things done under deadline pressure. This doesn't mean I like it. This past week my bad habits came to a head. I had a book due to my editor on August 31st. My summer has been one of the craziest I can ever remember for big projects and commitments. I wrote--but not at the rate I needed to. "I still have XX weeks left, it'll be okay," became my mantra.  Well, it wasn't okay. I turned in my book two days late after writing almost 20,000

words in six days. The days ended with me getting five hours of sleep in three days. I think that might qualify me for the Procrastination affects my life for Evil" category!

2. What I'd like to improve about myself might seem obvious from my first answer--but what I'd really like is to be able to stand up for myself a little more. I care too much about what others think of me, and often that leads me to agree to things that aren't helpful to me. I think, maybe, this contributes some to the procrastination, too.

NAN DIXON

1.  Ohh, this is an interesting question.  I prefer to think that I'm not a procrastinator -- but that I prioritize my tasks.  During the work day, writing always comes first.  (But I do write 7 days a week)  So - am I procrastinating completing my tax return for 2014 because I filed an extension?  Yes, yes I am!  

2. I would improve my sleep habits.  Unfortunately, I have a terrible time falling to sleep.  I would love to pop out of bed at 7 -- but that is really hard for me if I can't get to sleep before 2.

ANGI MORGAN

1. I procrastinate by taking care of everything that might interfere with writing…leaving no time to write. Then I have to procrastinate doing everything else in order to finish the book.

2.If I could change anything, I’d keep my promises to myself.  That includes going to work out, working for myself, doing creative things, visiting people, taking trips and working jigsaw puzzles.

If you like romantic suspense books, don’t be a procrastinator.  Angi’s next series is up for pre-order. Be good to yourself with an early Valentine’s gift:  Bulletproof Badge, book 1 of the TEXAS RANGERS: Elite Troop series. 

E.E. BURKE

1. I'm not a procrastinator, but I do get distracted easily--

SQUIRREL!

Too many things vie for my attention: email, social media, the laundry--

SQUIRREL!

You can imagine how this gets in the way of my writing--

SQUIRREL!

2. Improve my focus (ha!). Might require more than self-help.

I did manage to overcome my distractions long enough to get a fourth book written in the Steam! Series, this summer. FUGITIVE HEARTS   Here's the blurb1

“Sheriff…I just shot my husband.”

    Hotel owner Claire Daines is a respected member of the community. Until she

shocks the entire town by rushing into a saloon wearing only her nightclothes and confessing to very inebriated lawman.

    Is she a killer? Is she crazy? Or is she covering up something worse?

    For years, Claire hushed up her husband’s dangerous condition to guard his reputation. When tragedy strikes, she puts her own life at risk when she vows to keep another terrible secret.

    Sheriff Frank Garrity must get to the truth, although the tough, hard-drinking lawman hides his own secrets and would rather walk a lonely path than face his demons. But as Frank unravels Claire’s subterfuge and unlocks her heart, he’s torn between his desire to save her and his duty to bring her to justice. 

 VICKI BATMAN

1. I am a procrastinator sometimes. If I am doing big time search and replace with better words edits, my brain gets fried. I have to get up quite frequently and do something else (hopefully, not snack!!!). So I actually put other things in front and then tackle, other things, tackle, and repeat.

2. I wish I was a good runner. When I was nine, I almost had double pneumonia. I was absent from school for a month and afterwards, did little physical activity. I always felt I had bad lungs and was why I can't run long distance. Several years ago, I tried and made it up to 2something miles. That was it. I did that stretch for a while and then when the temp dropped below 30, I didn't go out and returned to aerobics. I haven't run two since. Everyone else looks like a gazelle to me.

Available as of September 1 is Season of Surprises, a holiday anthology featuring my funny and sweet short story, "Holiday Handbag Extravaganza." Here's a little tease:

 

Christmas Countdown is on! Hunk-a-licious customer, Jack Treadaway, pesters boutique owner, Callie Woods, to locate a vintage handbag for his mother. Too bad the wedge between them is his sister, the meanest girl in town.                                                                                                                                             

 For more information click on the Season of Surprises Facebook Page HERE

What about you? Do you procrastinate? Or are you organized? Do you have something you'd love to improve? Inquiring minds want to know!

And fine. Here are a couple for National Blueberry Popsicle month!!

​a​ Rafflecopter giveaway​ ​