“Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.”
– C. Northcote Parkinson
This quote is also, apparently, known as Parkinson’s Law. That might be apt. At least in my writing life, this rings with a lot of truth. I’ve found if a task doesn’t have a deadline, particularly a large task, then it drags on, getting done in drips and dribbles.
Earlier in the year, I let you know I’m working on editing my novel, Quaking Soul. I gave myself a large amount of time for this, thinking that a couple of pages a day should be more than doable. I had a deadline, but it was far enough out to feel vague. Now, as I look back since that post, I can see the drips and dribbles of progress on that goal. These drips and dribbles were much smaller than a couple pages a day.
Anyway, sloth slow progress equals stress in my brain. Some people thrive off procrastination. Not me. I’m the odd duck who used to get the school paper done in the first week it was assigned even though we were given two months to write the darn thing.
With all this in mind, I’m putting a more pressing deadline on the Quaking Soul edit. This will affect the time I have for other writing, however. I dislike not keeping a regular schedule here on the blog because it messes with my OCD. But there’s a balance between the OCD and the stress of sloth progress.
Gah. It’s a pendulum. For now, the pendulum is swinging toward getting editing done. My goal is within the next two months. After that, I promise, I’ll come back with more adventures. There’s one already outlined =)
Until then, I wish you all an amazing, adventurous spring.
Blessings,
Jennifer
We will miss the adventures! But so, so excited for Quaking Souls!!
😢 Sad not to be posting for awhile, but I think it’ll be worth it 😊
Taking time away to work on larger projects is perfectly understandable. Though I will miss your adventures while you feverishly edit. Best of luck, and I hope it goes extremely well!
Thank you Kat 🙂 I promise there will be more adventures down the road!
I know exactly how you feel, Jennifer! It took me five years to accept that as much as I loved blogging three times a week, it was taking time away from my actual goal of writing and publishing a book. It was hard to step away from my blog, but rethinking my priorities was the best thing I could have done. Best of luck with your edits! I look forward to reading your first novel! 🙂
I now see the wisdom behind you taking a step back 🙂 It’s hard but I can already see the difference.
Slow and sure wins. Or so I’ve heard. Go for it!
I’ll get there, one sloth step at a time 🐌
Good choice! I wish you the best of luck.
Thanks Jael! 😊
Turtle pace is better than no pace. Keep plugging away, sweet thing. Excited about the new book with you! 😁
I’m so excited to share it! But it’s definitely not quite ready 🙂