10 Things Writers Have Definitely Done While Procrastinating

Are you dealing with a difficult writer who—gasp—doesn’t want to write? We’re here to help!

Writers can be difficult people to understand. They can be quite moody, jumpy, and erratic. They have the tendency to change behavior or switch personalities. To assist you in understanding your writer, here’s a list of 10 things that writers do when they don’t want to write.

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1. Took way too long in the bathroom or kitchen

Writers, especially those unready to face the inevitable, often seek refuge in a different part of the house, well away from the accusatory glare of their own work. If your writer is taking way too long in the shower or is eating breakfast extra slowly, they’re definitely avoiding something writing related.

2. Cleaned their house

Do not be fooled by the clean floors and the shiny countertops. Do not let the fresh curtains and sheets sway you. If your house seems to smell or look different from when you left this morning, then there certainly is a writer who’s trying not to write.

3. Scrolled through social media

The most basic form of slacking off affects all kinds of minds. If your writer switches apps and refreshes the screen in rapid succession (or if you hear distinct beep-y sounds that could only come from a game), your writer is most definitely not checking emails from their editor.

4. Ran errands that were neither urgent nor important

A writer avoiding a task will do all means necessary just to not have to face the music. If your writer suddenly goes out claiming to restock some things you already have or to check on something that hasn’t happened yet, there’s definitely something fishy going on.

5. Edited what they have written so far

When they don’t want to write, writers will fancy themselves professional editors and scour through their own work as a means to “productivity.” Do not be fooled. This type of behavior may further cause your writer to sulk for not being good enough.

6. Blamed their muse

Writers and artists, in general, often think of their muse as ethereal creatures dressed in Greek togas, running around, lithely spreading creativity wherever they go. If it’s true that muses give inspiration, then it’ll be more accurate that muses are constantly in their pajamas lounging on the couch. If your writer starts screaming randomly, do not be alarmed. They are being angry at their muse for slacking off work.

7. Done an activity they barely do

If your "indoors only" writer has a sudden urge to jog or if a tech-savvy writer starts breaking out calligraphy pens, then you can bet that they’re trying to put off a writing task.

8. Watched TV under the guise of “research”

TV is the next best thing to social media when you need to keep awake while letting your brain take a break. Allow your writer certain hours in front of the screen, but not too much, lest they get sucked into binging one of their favorite shows.

9. Stared blankly at their computers

There are times when your writer won’t be so subtle. If they don’t want to write, they won’t. But to keep up a façade, they will spend hours in front of their notebooks or computer screens, silently begging the words to come to life out of nowhere.

10. Written

In the end, your writer will write. If you start hearing the familiar scratch of pen on paper or the ongoing clacks of a keyboard in use after a long day of procrastination, don’t call your writer out on it. Just let them be. They’re not yet back to their normal self, but hey, they’re trying.

So what is your part in all of this? If you notice any of the behavior stated above, then it is your duty to drag your writer back, kicking and/or screaming, in order to finish the task at hand. Remember, the fate of your writer is in your hands.

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