I saw a programme on TV the other day about a family who had survived a boat trip gone wrong in extremely cold circumstances. The observation was made that they had survived because they had treated the crisis, not as one big situation, but as a series of tasks that needed to be overcome. They didnÂ’t get overawed by the scale of what they were going through, merely concentrated on each problem as it arose. People who donÂ’t survive such situations generally get over-awed and just give up.
On a less serious scale I realise this is an excellent way of dealing with many things, especially writing. When I started writing the book I found it difficult to get on with it because it seemed so huge and daunting. To be honest, at the start of each chapter I felt the same. There was so much to do, so much to say and often I wouldnÂ’t be able to do anything.
I realise now a bit too late that the way to write if youÂ’re having trouble getting going is to have a go at one of the bits you know you can do, or to try to do a little bit of something youÂ’re not sure about. Gradually it will build up and the work will get done. I suppose this is what I do to some extent, but I waste so much time getting overcome with the difficulties and metaphorically freeze to death in my boat.
I realise this a bit late as I should have finished the book today. I have got close, but the last chapter still needs some work and annoyingly I have lots of little bits to write which are essentially fillers. If IÂ’d be clued in I could have done these easily at any point in the last six months when I couldnÂ’t get on with the chapter I was on.
ItÂ’s going to be OK. The final draft of the book has to be with my editor on the 9th. I do have to pack and move house this week, but IÂ’ve got a lot done in the last three weeks and so know I will be able to do the necessary work (because I have to).
I just wish IÂ’d made this obvious realisation a couple of months ago.
