All through this A to Z Challenge, when friends and hubby ask if I have my post finished, I always say … “Working on it…” even if I’m just thinking about it. I’ve noticed I do that a lot… no matter what is being asked.
“When are you going to make the salad?”
“Working on it,” I say, as I walk past the kitchen and down the hall.
“When are you going to write a note to Aunt Lou?”
“Working on it,” I answer, and pop another bon-bon in my mouth.
“Are you going to iron my white shirt?”
“Working on it,” I say while sitting on the couch.
“Have you written your W post?”
“Working on it,” and accept a new FB friend.
Working on it means nothing to me. Sort of like when you asked your mama if you could go skating next Saturday and she said, “We’ll see.” My kids knew that we’ll see usually meant no.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned during this A to Z Challenge, it’s that waiting to the last minute to write a post can introduce us to bad habits. I think working on it might be one; it’s my procrastination phrase. It’s a way of making myself sound busy—even when I’m not.
My rationalization is that by writing our posts late, we train ourselves to think and create fast. It works. But when it introduces us to bad habits, beware.
What have you learned during this A to Z Challenge? Developed any bad habits?
I prewrote most of my posts as we have been travelling for most of April and I wasn’t sure I would have access to the net all the time. I also pre planned them (mine are all on quilt related topics apart from one) so had them all in the draft section and went back to them over the month to fix them. I had them all scheduled so had to be sure I popped in before the moment they went live. If I am home over April one time I just might not work so far in advance.
Philipa, there’s no wrong way to do A to Z Challenge and that’s one thing that’s so wonderful about it. Some people are even doing two and three at a time. 🙂 I’m heading over to your blog–I love quilts!
What have I learned? That the best way to ace this challenge, is pre-written posts.
Well, due to the nature of my theme, I had no option but to plan and schedule my posts.
Only three more day… 🙂
Writer In Transit
(P.S. Have you received your copy of A Shot In The Light by Hart Johnson?)
Michelle, yes, I did receive the book. I responded to your email last week–maybe it didn’t get to you. Hart knows how to yank the reader in! Thanks for checking.
You couldn’t have done yours any other way, Michelle. I have never abandoned A to Z but have to admit, sometimes it’s a struggle to create on the spot. Remember the old movie Teacher’s Pet with Clark Gable, Gig Young and Doris Day? Doris teaches how to be a reporter; Clark is one–old school. 🙂 That’s what I practice. One of my favorite old movies.
Well, you’ve let your secret out.
Working on it really isn’t working on it.
When I ask you how the editing is coming along, what will you say?
Will you craft a new phrase?
We’ll see.
What have I learned through this challenge?
Words reveal…what is past, what is now, and where we are headed. What is within, and what is without.
Wishing you all the best…H
Awww, I thought you knew since you always laugh when I say it. Shoot, spilled the beans for nothin’ so now I will have to craft a new phrase! 🙂 Good lessons you learned!
I love the expression “working on it!” But, I would only feel comfortable using it when I have actually started on it. Like, I am (still) working on a photo album of New Zealand, I started almost a year ago. And, I am working on my book, even if it is only a page every week… With this challenge, I have learned (once again) that I always think things are easier and less time-consuming than they really are! And, I have learned to enjoy reading other people’s blogs and set time apart for it! 🙂
Liesbet @ Roaming About – A Life Less Ordinary
I need to appropriate that statement for my own. Working on it