What? Another guest post?
Yes! And it’s a good one!
Head on over to the wonderful Writers Circle Blog to learn about the sneakiest form of procrastination in the history of ever. It’s so sneaky you might be a victim without even knowing it!
There isn’t a comment section on that site, so feel free to stop back here and chat with me a little. I always wanna know what’s on your mind.
Take care!
Hey, Look! A Writer Fellow! 
Mike, Just ordered my Happy Cappy book! Can’t wait for it to arrive!
That’s fantastic! Thanks, Robin! Hope you enjoy it!
Going over there now.
Groovy.
I LOVE THOSE WALL WALKERS!! So creepy yet fascinating.
They are awesome. Ironically, the “modern” wallwalker I own now (see above photo) is a jillion times worse than the ones I pulled out of cereal boxes four decades ago.
I’m somewhat boycotting your reply to Boo as I didn’t see the point in writing about the same thing below. I agree with you. These modern wallwalkers are terrible. So disappointing.
Now about tinkering, I’m so glad I don’t fall into this category… I get told to just put my work out there when I know it’s not ready (I’ll have a post out about that soon). But yes, many writers keep tinkering for years on end – changing wording here and there. The Writers Circle made a good point that it’s procrastination. But how does one get past this?
Great post, Mike. I have been procrastinating for awhile using the gorgeous fall weather as an excuse to be doing something (even stacking wood) just to be outside. But today, finally, I did a BIC session and got out three queries. Yes, you may congratulate me.
Yes! Congratulations! Keep hammering away; your second book contract is just around the corner, I know it!
Very good post, Mike. Helpful and to the point. But now let’s talk wall walkers from a parent’s point of view. Wall walkers did leave something on the wall because I could see it. I always thought it was a little bit of an oil trail. And for that reason, I didn’t want them to throw it at the wall.
Did they listen or just wait for the time when I wasn’t looking?
I think we both know the answer to that.
I’m gonna have to respectfully disagree with you, JAS. I still own a Wacky Wallwalker (the one in the photo at the top of the post is mine), and I see no trail, neither on my painted walls nor the wallpaper. Did your young-uns throw the thing on another surface?
You can disagree with me as much as you like. I know what I saw. lol
Is it possible the new ones are made a little different?
At any rate, I’m glad you still have one and can play with it.
I feel like my childhood was stolen for never having gotten one of those octopus thingies in my cereal. Must’ve only been the name brand stuff my parents didn’t buy.
“Procrastination isn’t only about watching capybara videos on YouTube.” Hahaha!
Good advice all around. Why the heck haven’t I sent out a query in ages? You’re supposed to yell at me for this, Mike! Set your calendar to cuss me out at the end of every week if I haven’t sent a single one. That might motivate me! But, yeah, what’s the line…A poem is never finished, just abandoned? Even with my day job I have to sometimes tell myself to let it go. It’s good enough. No one will be as critical of my wording in that particular newsletter as I will be anyhow. And I’m ghost writing for heaven’s sake!
Oh, right! The yelling.
LISTEN UP! Stop hurting your body in martial arts and start hurting your psyche as a writer! C’mon, Bets, get your bruised butt in gear! Write! Submit! Do it!
And when you sell another book, I’m gonna send you a Wacky Wallwalker as a congratulatory gift! So what are ya waiting for! GO!
My VERY OWN Wacky Wallwalker? I mean, what more motivation could I need??
Gotta go!
Attagirl!
Why was I suddenly inspired to sing “Let it go! Let it gooooooo!”??? Even though I’ve never seen the film……
I’ve seen it and it’s terrible. One of the most lame and contrived twists in animated film. I highly recommend Tangled, however.
Good to know! Thanks for the Tangled rec. When I need some cheering up, I’ll put this in the queue.
Tis a good one.
Have you been looking inside my computer? Perhaps checking out the two “novels” I’ve been working on for over 20 years? This was a great article. Perhaps “The Trouble With Tinkering” will give me the jumpstart I need.
Well, I HAVE been telling you to get more of your work out there, haven’t I? You work is wonderful. So hop to it!
I can happily report, Mike, that after 24 drafts, I hurl my books at the world to see if they’ll stick. As Margaret Atwood said: “If I waited for perfection… I would never write a word.” (And my kids had many wallwalkers over the years!)
And thank goodness you hurl your books at the world. Your writing is sensational!
Ha ha. Thank you. I’d probably hurl them either way, but I’m glad a few of them stick. 🙂