Back in December, I announced the second-annual “How I Overcame My Procrastination This Year” contest. I asked you to share with us how you started to overcome your procrastinating behaviors and limiting beliefs in 2010. Several of you shared your stories…but there can only be one winner (well, technically there can be three winners):
Kim of KimHaste.Blogspot.com
Kim shared her triumph over procrastination by using a tool that I find vital for all writers: A Reliability Buddy (or in Kim’s case, an Encouraging Bunny).
Most writers are unable to stick to self-set deadlines, so they need to find another way to be accountable and get their writing done. A Reliability Buddy will do that for you.
Kim is living proof of this. Here’s her story:
I overcame procrastination in my writing in 2010 by finding an EB. An EB is short for Encouraging Bunny. This is my nickname for an amazing writing buddy. She got her nickname by emulating her namesake; the tacky pink fuzzy bunny that ‘just keeps going and going and going.’
If you can find an awesome writing buddy who:
1. is not afraid to tell you like it is
2. will send you endless electronic encouragements via texts, e-mails, facebook and twitter
3. sets up ‘meet and writes’ and actually expects you to show up
4. signs you up for every contest/challenge she can findI promise that you will overcome your procrastination if only for the sheer need for some peace and quiet.
I completed my first NaNoWriMo because my EB pushed, cajoled and growled at me for the entire month of November. Yes, I got testy, insulting and rolled my eyes at her. BUT, I completed and now have a rough draft that she is pushing, cajoling and growling at me to revise.
All kidding aside, if it were not for Nikki, I would not be on my way to my first published novel. She is even rooming with me at the upcoming Writer’s Conference just to make sure I get up and go to the workshops and keep my agent/editor appointments. Since Nikki has already been down this road and is working on a second novel in her YA series, she is a valuable guide and resource that no book on writing could ever replace.
If you are serious about becoming a writer and overcoming your procrastination, find a local writing community (check the internet, every city has several) and connect with a committed writing buddy. Just don’t expect me to reveal my EB’s real identity – she can’t help you, she has her hands full.
Congratulations to Kim! She wins a copy of every single one of Larry Brooks’ eBooks, as well as:
- A copy of Butt-In-Chair: A no-excuses writing productivity guide for writers who struggle to get started, by Jennifer Blanchard
- A Moleskine notebook
- A 1-hour coaching session with Jennifer of Procrastinating Writers
And the runners up are:
Jessica Anne of Adventures With Three Girls and Stacey Donaldson of The Write To Make A Living
Both Jessica Anne and Stacey learned the most valuable writing lesson of all: If you want to be a writer you must take writing seriously. Both of them did that last year, and that’s why Jessica Anne wrote a 50,000-word novel and Stacey made a habit of writing every morning.
Jessica and Stacey will receive a copy of one of Larry’s eBooks of their choice.
Congratulations to all the winners! Here’s to another year of overcoming procrastination!!
Winners: Please contact me by e-mail: jennifer@procrastinatingwriters.com to claim your prizes.
