Getting a Handle on Procrastination - Rose Ross Zediker

Rose Ross Zediker

It’s the end of the month. How much writing did you get done? Did you get as much writing done as you’d hoped? Were your monthly goals or word count quota met?

If you answered no, none, not much or very little, it’s time to find out if you’re a procrastinator.  Score the following questions using the key below.

	Regularly		Sometimes		Seldom		Hardly Ever		Never
	4		3		2		1		0
	Continually checking email, blogs, social media during writing time
	Noticing that you make little or no progress from day to day on your writing project
	Collected research for your writing project sitting untouched for weeks on your desk or shelf
	Goals or writing tasks 'float' through your monthly/weekly/daily to-do lists without being handled
	Scheduling writing time then generating excuses or rescheduling once the time arrives
	Staying up late in a mad dash to complete your manuscript before the deadline
	Waiting for the perfect time when you can devote your complete attention to your writing
	Not wanting to begin writing until you are prepared enough to do it "perfectly"
	Total

How did you do?

If you scored 0-8, you are in control of procrastination and put importance on your writing output. Good Job!

A score of 9-16 shows you have a few areas to improve on. Take a look at any 3 or 4 scores and consider ways to improve them. For instance, set a timer for thirty minutes when perusing online. When the timer chimes, stop and write.

While not a big problem a 17-24 score says procrastination hinders several aspects of your writing output. Stop and consider why this is happening. Are you overwhelmed with the amount of information on the occupation you chose for your hero’s career? Try breaking it down into manageable categories, education required for the job, environment required for the job, etc.

Hopefully you didn’t fall into the 25-32 score range where procrastination is significantly decreasing your writing production. If you did fall into this category it’s time to take a good hard look at the way you are spending your writing time. The only way to produce a manuscript is to write!

I hope you had fun taking this little quiz and that it helped you place an importance on your writing career and the time you spend writing.

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Rose is giving away a copy of her August release, Sweet on the Cowgirl.

Description:

Laura Barnes Wants to Be a Cowgirl Laura has always dreamed of being a trick rider in her family's Wild West show. But her father will only allow her to perform if she disguises herself as Mr. Buckskin Jones. When soda-pop king Guy Roberts shows up to do business with her family, Laura is torn between keeping her identity under wraps and revealing her growing feelings for Guy. Guy is drawn to Laura's poise and beauty, but he, too, guards a secret. As their affection for each other grows, Guy begins to think about a future that includes Laura. When both their secrets suddenly come to light, their romance will face the ultimate showdown.

Bio: Rose Ross Zediker writes contemporary and historical inspirational romances for Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents line of books.

Rose works full time at the University of South Dakota and writes during the evening or weekends.

Besides writing inspirational romance novels, Rose has many publishing credits in the Christian children’s genre. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America.

Visit her at Don't Quit Your Day Job

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