Procrastinate Now!

I once saw a teeshirt with that slogan and still wish I had one!

The area of my life where I'm most inclined to procrastinate is webwork and social media stuff. Which is not so good because these days-- unless you're Suzanne Collins-- that's pretty mandatory for an author.

However, I finally got to Amazon.com last night and put up my bio, photo and so forth. Today I'll be looking at my website. The funny thing is, when I actually get around to it, I enjoy thinking up things to say i.e. content, fiddling with photos and design. It's kind of a different creative challenge and that's stimulating for me.

Otherwise, I'd rather be writing.

We used to have the saying 'Procrastination is the thief of time', but I think that's overdue for an update. Years ago I realized that, for me, watching television was what stole my time. When I looked back over the day, there was this kind of vacuum during my TV watching minutes or hours. So I stopped. Of course, I still watch occasionally, but this is not part of my regular daily routine. There's that mild hypnotic state I'd rather not be put into, thanks very much.

And now we have the internet, and blogs, and twitter and facebook and and and. These, it seems to me, are even more addictive. Somehow I need to find a conscious way to deal with them because they're not going to go away any time soon.

How about you? What's your 'go to' when you feel the urge to procrastinate?

Playing Catch Up

During October, I did a big push to finish my revision for a new young adult novel. This meansvery little time was spent surfing the web. Only today did I discover something. The wonderful Helen Kubiw, who writes the blog CanLitforLittleCanadians, included 'Cape Town' on her YA book list for the International Day of the Girl. So, tonight I'm feeling very honoured.

Check it out if you like at http://www.tinyurl.com/al4hdgs

Having reached that goal for October, I've now given myself permission to start writing something new. Not that I haven't got another revision to dig into, but since it's Nano, I'm spending a bit of time every day spinning a new story. Oooo, I do love the creative process!

In other news, last Thursday I did my first ever school visit. According to the teacher, this was a big success, so there it goes, zooming past as I drive along in the dark... another milestone for my writing life!

What November has brought so far.

Yesterday I drove through the soft yellow, browns and greys of our almost-winter landscape to go to Kingston. This was for the book launch of a dear friend who's always been very supportive of my writing. She has published a slim volume called 'Prayers for Women Who Can't Pray', out from Wintergreen Press.

Only recently have I really begun to realize what it means to an author if invitees actually attend their launches. I know how much I appreciated the support I received for the launch of 'Cape Town'. Friends and writing friends as well as staff from the South African High Commission came to the event, and I still recall the occasion with gratitude. Launches are celebratory, that's for sure!

When my first novel 'At Your Service, Jack', a humourous romance, came out,  I did a book signing but no launch. The late Katherine Witmer, who was a reviewer for Romantic Times, said it was one of the best-written romances she'd read.

Now, ten years later, my second romcom has been released from Crimson Romance. This is only in ebook for the moment, so again, I won't be having a launch party. Take a look on their website if you're interested. Here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/aayygfo

And the cover pic: