1. Read this blog before you start today’s writing session.

2. Nobody can procrastinate all the time. Take a break now and then and write something. Then return to procrastination with renewed vigour.

3. Don’t waste your procrastination on unimportant matters.

4. Tidy your desk. You’ll write much better once the clutter has gone.

5. Prepare your writing session so you won’t be distracted once you start. Have everything ready: glass of water, cup of coffee, cupcakes, carrots, the right music playing, comfortable themed clothing, to-do list, dictionary, thesaurus, different coloured gel pens, how-to-write books, reference books, pictures for inspiration, incense, matches, good-luck charm, statue of writing deity or patron saint.

6. Let out the cat, feed the baby, groom the dog and do whatever else needs doing to guarantee that your writing session will not be disrupted.

7. Twitter is a useful procrastination tool. Have you checked your tweets yet today? It’ll only take a moment. Do it now, so you won’t need to interrupt your writing later.

8. Don’t underestimate the value of other social media networks. Even if you don’t plan to use them, they’re worth checking out. Just take a quick look at Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest,  Vimeo, Tumbler, StumbleUpon, FourSquare, Reddit, Wattpad, Flickr, DeviantArt, Delicious, GoodReads and BookLikes. Create any accounts you don’t yet have.

9. Time spent on social media is never wasted. You’re networking, which practically counts as writing.

10. Your blog is overdue. Come on, it won’t take you long to dash off 300 words for your blog. Get it out of the way before you start working on your novel.

11.  Let sales statistics for your published books boost your writing motivation. Quickly check today’s sales on Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords, iTunes, Barnes&Noble and Draft2Digital, worry or rejoice as appropriate, and to get a true picture, ask other authors how their sales are doing.

12. While you’re at it, see if your published books have entered any bestseller lists today. If yes, spread the word.

13. Unless you check your email now, you won’t know if a publisher has accepted your novel.

14. You’ve been sitting at your desk too long. Do some light aerobics to loosen up.

15. Oh, rats. Your coffee has gone cold. Get a fresh cup.

16. Comment on this article before you start writing. It’s only common courtesy.

17. Read and reply to the comments other people have left. It’ll only take a second, honest, or maybe two if required to sign in or up.

18. Share this with at least three people before you start writing. The convenient share buttons at the bottom of the page save you time.

19. If you’ve read this far, you qualify for membership in the Procrastinating Writers Club. Tweet me @RayneHall and I’ll put you on the #shoutout list. Do it now, while you’re logged into Twitter.

20. Make a firm resolution that tomorrow you will really write.

Please click any of the cartoons to read more about author/editor Rayne Hall and her books.

Cartoons by Hanna-Riikka, © Rayne Hall