When I did Part 2 of the Setting Yourself Up for Easy Experiment, it made sense to apply what I had learned from Part 1 with my cross-stitch project to writing: leave out the computer with my short story up, and I'll be reminded and motivated to write on my short story all throughout the week.
The results?
I didn't write on my short story once.
Now, this is also the week that I suffered from a migraine, had my hopes dashed about a house I was hoping to rent, saw three other houses, and made arrangements to see five more.
As my significant other remarked, "Perhaps this wasn't the week to do an experiment on writing."
Perhaps, but I also know that there will always be stuff. Granted, it might not be as big, important, and heavy as finding the ideal place to live for your family, but there's still stuff.
Here's what I learned from Setting Yourself For Easy Experiment Part 2:
- What worked for cross-stitch doesn't necessarily translate to writing
- Working on my cross-stitch provided some stress relief as well as something for my hands to create while my mind was free to process the day's events (VERY IMPORTANT). Writing doesn't do that. Writing is somewhat of an effort, a glorious effort, yes, but still effort. It takes creativie energy. Cross-stitch kits provide a map and a key to follow. I don't have to create the pattern.
- Now, having my laptop on the dining room table did provide some benefits (just not what I had anticipated). I could do my house search on a different computer from that in my office, thereby separating house search from work... very necessary. I also took time to play Settlers of Catan on the computer, which ended up being another stress relief.
Setting up one project for easy and what that means differs from thing to thing, so I have to figure out what I can do to set up my short story for easy. Some thoughts...
- Just having the story up on the computer isn't enough. I have to actually schedule appointments to write. So, that means setting up the date and time.
- It's probably going to work best if I get out of my house. Go to Starbucks, the park, the canal.... and all I bring is my laptop and the short story. No work. No other writing.
Stay tuned for Part 3 coming.... who knows when. :)
And I'd still love to hear in the comments below how you set yourself up for easy when it comes to writing.
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