I’m busy working on a new novel, and you know what that means: I’ve been spending some quality time with my BFF, Procrastination. I don’t believe in writer’s block (I think it’s just an excuse). I do believe in excuses though. I just call them like they are. Oh, and I love me some distractions. Take this morning for example. I accomplished the following:
- did laundry
- dropped off the drycleaning
- watered the plants (they’re never as well-tended to as when I have a deadline)
- met with a contractor who’s going to make new planter boxes for my patio. When you’re trying to procrastinate, you should always take on a home-renovation project
I’ve never been so domestic. I’ve also never been so sporty. I’m playing volleyball, doing Booty Camp Fitness, golfing, and playing tennis with my girlfriends. Last night we stopped for a water break and practically got booted off the court by a gang of hungry tennis players. Apparently, you can’t take water breaks and leave a court empty. We got our court back, but only by allowing Nicola, a very good tennis player guy who didn’t speak much English, to play with us, so he could warm up for his match. I told him we weren’t very good. He said that was okay. He decided to serve the ball. We mostly missed the returns. So then, every time he served it, he would yell “Sorry!” But we looked super cute in our outfits.
Now I’m staring at Paul Wesley….
While I go back to writing, I thought I’d leave you with some things to read and contests to enter.
Want to get some sweet kitchen tools that will make you look like Nigella Lawson (even if you can’t cook like her)? Read 10 Gourmet Kitchen Tools over at Food Network.
Looking for an easy DIY rustic centrepiece? Stick em up with this twig candle holder.
Or, put your herbs in a little white picket fence home.
Over at The Eaton Centre (another great place to spend procrastination hours!), @saragigi posted this list of excellent summer reads, including Love Struck!
Don’t want to buy a copy? Here are some contests where you can win an autographed copy of Love Struck instead!
Win a whole bunch of stuff with Sweetspot’s Dr. Oetker contest
Tag yourself on the profile pic of Key Porter’s Facebook page.
Don’t forget, I’m also running the summer-long referral contest. Tell a friend about Love Struck and you’ll both get an autographed copy of Stuck in Downward Dog — free! (Scroll down for more info).
And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming…
Hello Chantel,
Im taking a break atm to eat and check on other writers and their wonderful advice and struggles. I found your twitter page and thought Id say hi! You have a wonderful way with words! Keep up the good work! 
I have to say that I know exactly what you mean by writers block excuses! I’m working on my second novel now and I do so many other things to fill up my time, that it gets downright embarrassing!
Two thumbs up for Booty Camp! I’m doing it right now, too, at the Yorkville location. How are you liking it?
Very excited to hear more about your new book! As a fellow procrastinator, I hear you on finding excuses not to do things. Maybe you just need some super-cute new items to motivate you to spend more time at your desk? Shopping is the BEST form of procrastination!