Why Chapter Six Sucked (and What I Did About it)

In many ways, my book is complete. In fact, it’s been written about five times already. This time, once it’s packaged up, it’s out the door. I hate this thing which has taken over my life!

For about a month now, I’ve been stuck on a re-write of Chapter Six, and I have many good reasons for that. No, scratch that, I have many good excuses for that. Actually, scratch that, too. I just have excuses, not good ones.

Most times when we get stuck in a rut it just gets worse the more you spin your tires. Deeper and deeper we dig ourselves, until finally the axles are right on the ground and the only solution is a tow truck.

Chapter Six is about conclusions drawn from a previously described data set. Should be straightforward enough, right? The problem is that the conclusions fall into two discrete categories: those which are well-discussed in a million other books, and those which have not been well discussed elsewhere, if at all. These latter ones are the book’s raison d’être. How do I balance these two separate discussions without confusing readers?

I don’t know about you, but when I’m faced with a conundrum, I typically respond with one or more of the following:

1. Chase squirrels instead. Maybe the problem will solve itself while I’m distracted.

2. Clean my desk, windex my computer screens, make lists, look after household chores… anything but. “Just one more last thing, then I get started!”

3. Wait for a flash of inspiration or for the subconscious to bubble up the answer.

4. Eat too much, drink too much, “give myself a little break”, …

5. Work like a fiend but with no plan.

There must be a million more diversions and distractions, you probably have your own favourites. Truth be told, though, none of them solve the problem.

Some wag has said, “If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would ever get done.” There is some truth to that, because what we usually do at the last minute is:

1. Clear our minds and our desks of everything else. Just one heedless swipe away of anything except the now urgent matter.

2. Focus on exactly what needs to be done, when, and why. This analysis usually occurs in a flash of desperation, but is often remarkably accurate.

3. Buckle down and get it done.

More often than not, the work product that results is just fine and acceptable, maybe not our best, but more than adequate.

So, I ask myself, what would happen if I applied my “last minute” routine to “right now”? The answer is obvious: I’d get it done, but now I would still have time left over to improve and polish. That way, “more than adequate” becomes “excellent”.

I know you never procrastinate or put off unpleasant tasks, but if it ever happens to you, just move up your deadline to “right now”. You’d be surprised what happens.