PROCRASTINATION—A Creative Conversation by Julie Phend and Carol Coven Grannick

Photo by Brett Jordan (Unsplash)

Julie: I procrastinate. I admit it. When a task annoys or frustrates me, I put it off. I’ve missed submission deadlines because I find the process tedious and frustrating. I make lists and assign deadlines and then blow right past them. I do get things done—but I can’t help thinking how much more productive I’d be if I’d just dig in and do the work. So, this year, instead of a list of New Year Goals, I made just one: Stop procrastinating!

Carol: My perspective is a bit different. I find it helpful to see situations in a neutral or more positive way. ‘Procrastination’ becomes an informative signpost rather than a flaw or weakness. I think, This is interesting—is there something here I can learn? 

I’m uncomfortable with activities that trigger my historical shyness or social anxiety. Posting about a success feels like bragging, reaching out to present or “sell” my book and receiving less-than-pleasant responses triggers memories of being laughed at or being an object of disdain. But lots of responses are positive, and as I practice reaching out, or posting a success, I’m more comfortable—which eliminates the need to procrastinate.

What is procrastination?

Simply put, procrastination is the act of delaying or putting off tasks until the last minute, or past their deadline. Most people procrastinate occasionally, but others are habitual procrastinators. It’s a habit that causes undue stress and can negatively impact one’s work.

 So Why Do We Do It?

Most researchers agree on several types of procrastinators. Carol reframes these definitions to reflect a less judgmental perspective.

Performers love the rush of putting off tasks until the last minute and believe they work best under pressure.

Carol’s Reframing: What about saying this, instead? "The rush of meeting deadlines is energizing for me. Knowing that about myself, I won’t call what I’m doing ‘procrastinating’ or judge myself in a negative way."

Avoiders fear being judged or put off doing boring, tiresome tasks. 

Carol’s Reframing: Certain outreach tasks trigger historical fears (feeling “not enough”, not mattering, vulnerable to potential shame, embarrassment, etc.) and it’s understandable that we want to avoid that. But respecting this, gently nudging myself to take even one risk and then doing it moves me beyond the fear, and beyond procrastination. Repetitive practice tends to build an alternative ‘story’ to historical fears, reminding us that there are a variety of responses when we take the risk of reaching out.

Indecisives have difficulty making important or stressful decisions, often ruminating over several choices. 

Carol’s Reframing: Ruminating wastes time, so I suggest focusing on the “do” or “don’t do.” Pay attention to the choices, consider emotions as well as intellect. Tell yourself the truth about what direction you feel most strongly about, and whether its impact is worth it. Talk with a trusted friend. If it involves sending a difficult email, save it in “Draft” and leave it there to re-read (to self and a trusted other) before you send it.

Colleagues Have Their Say

We wanted to get a sense of other creators’ experiences, and received responses from seven colleagues to these questions:

Do you procrastinate? All seven colleagues agreed that they procrastinate in some way, from mildly to severely. 

What are the areas in which you procrastinate?      

• Revision
• Querying
• “Something that feels big and frustrating—rewriting a synopsis, facing revisions I’ve received contradictory feedback on—but mostly business-related tasks.”
• Submitting and beginning a new piece of art: fear of rejection, fear of failing to create what I was imagining.
• Everything related to writing: the writing itself, response to queries about appearance, fan mail. Why? Low energy, anxiety, indecision. [When] creativity is removed from the equation—for example, doing things for other people—the anxiety diminishes.

 

Tips for Handling Procrastination:

 

Most of us turned to lists and structuring specific times to counteract putting off distasteful, difficult, or uncomfortable tasks—each of us a little differently.

 

Julie: I make lists, breaking down the tasks so I can cross them off. Recently, I've started a running list for the week. I force myself to clear it by Saturday or write the item again on next week's list. I hate having to write the same task on the following week's list, so I'm motivated to get it done. 

Carol: I, too, make a list for each week and break down the tasks if they feel overwhelming. I know and accept that I’m not going to complete everything—and that’s fine with me. I set work and home priorities and can transfer some to the daily note section of my Quo Vadis planner.

We find that for ourselves and colleagues, the following tips also help:

o   Break Down Tasks into small (and even smaller) bits—break into pieces that feel absolutely doable, no matter how tiny! The important thing is to complete a task. 

o   Set Real Deadlines but be generous to allow plenty of time.

o   Change Something: direction, activity, content—it clears and opens your brain to return to the original task.

o   Talk With an Empathic Friend

BONUS TIP! From Carmela Martino, who heard this at Dr. Laurie Santos' The Happiness Lab podcast: Think about how you will feel when [the thing] is done! And find a way to celebrate!

Final Thoughts:

Carol: When I’m ‘putting off’ writing-related business or need a break from those things that must be done, I busy myself with other small tasks, or I relax and distract myself with reading or watching an old video. I don’t judge myself because that never helps me—it makes things worse. Compassion for the resistance to act allows me to explore it with interest and nudge myself gently forward. 

But I also want to say this: Life events call us from our work. I’m grateful that I still have the ability to take care of necessities and crises, to hold tight to and nurture relationships, and to enjoy relaxing time. I don’t view these as taking me away from my writing. 

Julie: Carol’s tips on reframing my tendency to procrastinate and being kinder to myself have helped already! And my new list strategy, mentioned above, is working because I am holding myself accountable for my goals.

What are your experiences with procrastination and tips for moving past it?

Photo by Brett Jordan (Unsplash)

GROG Roundtable Part 2: Routines and Cues for Revision Facilitated by Kathy Halsey

Roundtable on Revision: Routines and And Cues

In Part One of our Roundtable we discussed our thoughts about how to write consistently. In Part 2 we chew on a topic that writers are always curious about. . . how to pysch yourself into revising. The GROGers have tips and tricks to make your revisions go better.

Kathy Halsey: 

I write my revisions in purple and the Com San Serif font to train my mind that this is revision work. When I see purple, I know my mindset changes. I know everything can be changed. 

I also use my MacBook Pro to read my revision back to me and change as I hear it aloud. On  a Mac, Choose Apple menu, Go to System Preferences,  then to Accessibility. Then click Spoken Content. Select the “Speak selection” checkbox. By default, your Mac speaks text when you press the keyboard shortcut. Again, see System Preferences.

Christy Mihaly: 

My favorite revision tip is to give something to my critique partners! Honestly, they're brilliant. Then I just have to try to reconcile their various comments. 

On my own, for picture books, doing a dummy really helps clarify where I need to revise. 

I  have a cool writer's tool for this: a reusable, 32-page dry-erase notebook that's great for sketching out stories. [Images attached, including one showing how I mapped out spreads for WATER: A Deep Dive of Discovery (which is 64 pages).]

Finally, when I'm stuck with a story I often find that rewriting it from another character's point of view helps get things unstuck.

Carol Coven Grannick:

I happen to love revision much more than the first draft. Re-reading, often aloud, is my door to noticing that something—I may not know what, yet—is “off”. Whether short poem or middle grade novel, I trust the “off” feeling (whether it’s from me or critiquing colleagues). And so it goes over and over, fine tuning one draft after the other until it feels right.

Sue Heavenrich:

Like Christy, I use my critique partners to help me see things that could use revision, or to help me clarify what I’m trying to say. Often I’ll print out what I’m working on and put it in my Morning Pages notebook. I might try a different structure (using rhyme instead of prose) or a different point of view. Or I might wad the whole thing up, toss it against the wall, and say: “If I had to explain this to a kid, how would I do it?” Then I write that into Morning Pages. 

Some of my best ideas for writing and for revision, though, happen while I’m in the garden or turning compost or out for a walk - so I make sure to tuck an index card and pencil in my pocket when I head outside. 

Suzy Leopold

The revision process is a time to bring order to my thoughts. It’s a process of discovery to reread, rewrite, rethink, review, and reconfigure the story idea to write an improved version. My stories include multiple revisions. The following are suggested tips for revision to consider:

• Revising requires time, patience, and reimagination.

• Read the manuscript aloud

• Write a pitch or one sentence description 

• Create a book dummy

• Be deliberate with word choices. For example: use a blue highlighter to identify active verbs versus passive verbs, pink to identify dialogue.

• Read and reread mentor texts

Every writer has his/her own approach for the revision process.

Patricia Toht

My creating is done in fits and spurts, depending on how busy my day job is. But, even if I’m unable to create something new, I usually have something old that can be revised. 

One part of the revision process that I love is focusing on word choice. While it might seem tedious to some, I enjoy taking one sentence at a time and examining each word. Is it necessary or superfluous? Is it the BEST word for THIS sentence? Is there an opportunity to add internal rhyme, assonance, alliteration? If I need to reduce text by a specific count, I write the number of words I'm removing (with a minus) and once in a while adding (with a plus). It's a great visual to show progress!

Four editing resources I keep at hand

Julie Phend

Like Patricia, I love revising for word choice and sentence flow. And, like Carol, I read it aloud for the sound. I have much more trouble revising a whole novel--my first drafts are often messy muddles. What helps me the most is Martha Alderson’s plot planner. I put the plot line on a long piece of craft paper, and use sticky notes above and below the line for specific scenes. The visual really helps me see where the problems are, and the sticky notes make it easy to move scenes around.

You've seen how GROGgers get creative to make revision work, what can you add to our discussion? Give us a revision technique that works for you or one we haven't suggested in the comments. Thank you.

Four Questions and Picture Books for Passover ~ Christy Mihaly (and friends)

It's Passover! Pesach Sameach to all and sundry. 

Ready for Passover 2019 at the Mihaly house

On this day, Jewish families traditionally retell the story of Moses at a festive seder meal. This year, things will be different. Many seders will be very small gatherings, while others will go online for virtual fellowship. I know folks will find many creative ways to keep the Passover blessings flowing. 

A highlight of the seder is when a child (customarily the youngest) asks the Four Questions. So here GROG asks Four Questions of four distinguished authors of Jewish-themed books. We've included recommendations for kids' Passover books at the end. Enjoy! 

For those who celebrate Easter or Ramadan later this month, or if you're just thankful for the springtime -- Joy to you all!

Our cast of characters:

Nancy Churnin: Nancy's most recent release is For Spacious Skies, about Katharine Lee Bates, who wrote "America the Beautiful." Nancy has published a plethora of inspiring picture book biographies about people who are famous, or ought to be. They include Irving Berlin: The Immigrant Who Made America Sing, and Martin & Anne: The Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank.

Carol Gordon Ekster: Carol is a former teacher and an energetic booster of literacy and of other children's writers. She has been publishing humorous, lively, and engaging picture books since 2002. She's the author of Before I Sleep; Ruth the Sleuth and the Messy Room; You Know What? and other wonderful books.

Carol Coven Grannick: Carol is a GROGger and an accomplished  poet who enjoys writing narrative nonfiction and other stories for children. Her debut novel-in-verse, Reeni's Turn, is slated to release September 13. It follows a shy and self-conscious tween who embarks on a misdirected journey to find courage, self-acceptance, and a new identity, and we can't wait to read it! 

Linda Elovitz Marshall: Linda has been an early childhood educator and a farmer and is the author of a range of fiction picture books (most recently, Have You Ever Seen a Ziz?). She has written many Jewish-themed stories, including The Passover Lamb, and the recently released Shalom Bayit: A Peaceful Home. This year she'll be publishing several nonfiction picture books, including one about Anne Frank. 

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

GROG: Welcome, ladies. I'll start by asking: What's your motivation for writing Jewish stories?

Linda: For me it's been happenstance and a lot of good luck. I saw an announcement for a conference (inexpensive, as conferences go) for Jewish children’s writers….and I figured, I’m Jewish. I’m writing children’s books. The dates look good! The price is right! I’ll go! That was the beginning of this wonderful ride.

Carol Coven Grannick: My strong desire to include Jewish content in my upcoming novel in verse, and in some published and unpublished work, is because often, my own Jewish life and experiences inform the heart of the story. During the course of many revisions of REENI’S TURN (Regal House Publishing/Fitzroy Books, September 13, 2020), the Jewish content became an “issue.” I was asked to increase it, then take it out, and put it back in, and—the best advice of all—make certain the content was significant in moving the story forward. The day after I completed my final draft, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting occurred. Something inside me said, That’s it. I’m never taking the Jewish content out again.

Carol Gordon Ekster: I've always felt connected to my Jewish roots. I grew up with my father’s family, his seven brothers and sisters, my many cousins, and Bubie and Zadie being consistent presences in my life. Every story I write comes to me… whether in a dream or when I’m exercising, or when I least expect it! In the last couple of years, more and more Jewish stories have come to me this way.

Nancy: Jewish tradition teaches us that we are here to repair the world. All of my books, including those that aren't overtly Jewish, try to do that by focusing on people who have left the world a better place and I hope will encourage the kids to look for ways they can leave the world a better place, too. My books with Jewish subjects, Irving Berlin, the Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing (illustrated by James Rey Sanchez) and Martin & Anne, the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank (illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg), focus on people who changed the world for the better. Martin & Anne believed in justice and goodness even in the face of darkness and hate, and left us with words that articulated their vision of a better world where everyone is treated with equality and love.

Writing about Irving Berlin, I dug deeply into his Jewishness, with the help of a Jewish music educator, Mark Kreditor, who pointed out to me that the last three notes of the shema prayer are also the last three notes of “God Bless America.” This shows how Irving brought his deepest, spiritual beliefs, the shema prayer, into a oneness with his love of his new country, America. It underlines how “God Bless America” was, essentially, his prayer for America. It helps us understand why he never took money for this song, and instead donated the royalties to the children of America through a gift to the Girl and Boy Scouts. 

GROG: That's powerful motivation. I think if you have that sense of identity or mission in your writing, you're also going to write with a great deal of heart. 

My next question is, Are you worried about being "pigeon-holed" as a "Jewish writer"?

Carol Coven Grannick: Yes and no. I can’t write anything that isn’t true to my heart, values, beliefs. So if a story is  “pigeon-holed,” I hope it would identify the opportunity to learn about Jewish life, religion, and culture, just as it does for the wonderful multitude of other diverse categories. If I only wrote Jewish-themed work, and was considered a “Jewish writer” I’d be perfectly proud, just as I am proud to be a Jewish American woman.

Carol Gordon Ekster: No! My published books are secular…well that is except the Catholic one. Before I Sleep: I Say Thank You (Pauline Books and Media, 2015) started out as a bedtime shema prayer. I woke up in the middle of the night repeating, “Before I sleep, it’s time to pray…” and knew I had to write a story related to that. When it didn’t sell to Jewish publishers, I revised to make it more secular. Then a critique buddy told me a publisher was interested in her book about forgiveness, and I thought maybe they’d want a gratitude book … and they did! They just happened to be a Catholic publisher. The book won awards and is in its third printing. So it's right where it should be.  And my rabbi felt it fit with the theme of Rosh Hashana and asked me to read it at the children’s holiday service last year. Sharing this book up on the bima was a wonderful moment for me.

Nancy: No. I write the books I feel I must write, the books that come from my heart. I don’t worry about them being Jewish or not Jewish. I cannot control how someone might pigeon-hole me and I don’t worry about what I can’t control. All I can control is doing the best, most honest, truthful and I hope helpful work I can and trust that it will reach the children it needs to reach and have a positive impact on hearts and minds.

Linda's recent release, about Beatrix Potter

Linda: No, because I write a lot, about anything and everything. I’m interested in many things - from science to biography to word-play. I love learning new things and, especially, trying to decode complex language and thoughts into words everyone can understand.  This year, especially, my publishing scope has broadened with the release of three picture book biographies.

GROG: So, you write the books you feel driven to write – something we should all strive to do, right?

I'm wondering about organizations supporting Jewish books and writers. PJ Library is a Jewish literacy nonprofit that distributes books with Jewish content to families. Have you worked with PJ Library, or are you a member of a group of writers of Jewish-themed books?

Nancy: I am a proud co-founder and member of the Book Meshuggenahs and also a member of the Jewish Kidlit Mavens. I love the camaraderie of both groups, which have different missions. The Book Meshuggenahs are Jewish women writing books with Jewish characters and themes. We all support each other and kids. We just launched a Chai-ku contest to encourage kids to write haiku with Jewish themes. I’m happy about the way the contest is encouraging kids to take pride and share their Jewish ideas and heritage.

 Jewish Kidlit Mavens is a group of creators, librarians, educators, publishers, journalists — lots of different people who care about Jewish literature for kids. I learn so much from our conversations about the larger Jewish kid lit community and appreciate the support from the members there, too.

I was also selected for the Yiddish Book Center's Tent program, sponsored by PJ Library. It was a pleasure to meet the people at PJ Library and the Yiddish Book Center and see their passion for getting good books with Jewish themes into children’s hands.

Linda: I’ve worked with PJ Library on several of my books. It's been wonderfully helpful and inspiring. It thrills me to see my stories finding their way into so many homes!

Carol Gordon Ekster: I'm a member of the Jewish Kidlit Mavens on Facebook, but not a member of Book Meshuggenahs as I don’t have a Jewish book published…yet! This past December I was excited to sell my first Jewish story to Highlights Magazine.

Carol Coven Grannick: I belong to the somewhat new and fabulous Facebook group, Jewish Kidlit Mavens. I’ve not worked with PJ Library, but it’s not off my radar!

GROG: Our fourth question is: Have you written a Passover book?

Linda: Yes! The Passover Lamb was one of my first stories… It wouldn’t have been written had it not been for my having attended (thank you, Fran Manushkin, author of Miriam’s Cup, for the invitation!) to a long-ago meeting of the PJ Library book selection people with prospective authors. The story took place on our farm when we were raising sheep. A ewe had given birth a few days earlier. But she was not feeding one of her lambs - so we had to take over with a bottle. Raising a lamb on a bottle is one of the most fun things about having sheep. It can also be a pain in the neck. Somehow, we had to figure out how to get to the seder – more than 2 hours away—and what to do with our bottle lamb!

Carol Gordon Ekster: I love Passover! It’s one of the joy-filled holidays that I remember so fondly, celebrating as a child with my large extended family. And I still love the seders we share today with a group of friends. I love the songs, the foods, and the significance of the holiday. I've written two Passover-themed picture books that are waiting for the right publisher.

From Carol Coven Grannick's Passover Table

Carol Coven Grannick: I have a not-yet-published Passover picture book, ELIJAH DOES THE DISHES, in which the heroine’s father is overseas in the military during Passover. My forthcoming novel, REENI’S TURN, includes a Passover scene during Reeni’s family Seder, in which she comes to a major realization. This scene, like the book itself, reflects my own experiences and spiritual sensibilities, and helps my character push forward on her journey.

Nancy: I have not written a Passover book, just because I haven’t yet found the right story to tell. I am working on a picture book that may be perfect for Purim though!

Thanks so much to all of you. That wraps up our Four Questions. 

Below we've rounded up some popular Passover picture books, including two that are new this year, with comments by our authors. Thanks for visiting!

The Passover Mouse, by Joy Nelkin Wieder (Doubleday, 2020) (one little mouse upsets the entire village's preparations for Passover when it takes some bread)

Carol Gordon Ekster: This is a well-written original Passover tale with perfect picture book ingredients – excellent writing, tension, a repeated refrain, a surprise solution, and beautiful illustrations.

Nancy: A charming new addition for our Passover collection! It is always good to see a small creature — someone to whom a child can relate — can seem to cause a disturbance, which is actually a wonderful way of bringing people together.

Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail, by Leslea Newman (Charlesbridge, 2020)

Carol Gordon Ekster: I love the structure of this picture book...the repetition of comparing what's happening inside and outside. I love the heartwarming feel of the book while it teaches us about Passover. You read with anticipation knowing the boy and cat are both waiting for something. Sweet surprise ending and the illustrations are wonderful.

Nancy: A new book by Leslea Newman is always a treat. I am looking forward to this reminder that miracles can be found in unexpected places.

Pippa's Passover Plate, by Vivian Kirkfield (Holiday House, 2019)

Carol Gordon Ekster: I love the repeated refrain, the rhyming text and adorable illustrations. This is such a fun Passover book!

Nancy: Pippa and her search to find her Passover plate is an uplifting and whimsical reminder that it not only takes a village to put together a seder, but the seder is sweeter when you invite that village to partake.

More than Enough, by April Halprin Wayland (Dial Books, 2016)

Nancy: This teaches children the concept of dayenu and offers a great reminder for kids to be thankful.

Carol Coven Grannick: This book is lovely for all ages, engaging children in a developmentally accessible way of understanding the concept of gratitude, an important Passover theme.

The Passover Lamb, by Linda Elovitz Marshall (Random House, 2013)

Nancy:  A sweet story about caring for those in need, set on a farm, brings a fresh look at the baby Moses part of the Passover tale.

The Longest Night, by Laurel Snyder (Random House, 2013)

Nancy: I love how this book whisks kids back in time so they can experience what it may have been like to live through the time of Passover.

Yankee at the Seder, by Elka Weber (Tricycle Press, 2009)

Nancy: A welcome message during our polarized times of how what binds us together is deeper and more enduring than what pulls us apart.

Abuelita's Secret Matzahs, by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso (Clerisy Press, 2005)

Nancy: A wonderful and important story of the CryptoJews that shines a light on the diversity of the Jewish experience.