Our writing group met recently. We used the session to get to know each other better. When they left I had a warm feeling. What an interesting group, what engaging personalities.

The group is new. It was formed after I taught a course at a local library designed to make writing memoir more vivid.  Several people from the course indicated an interest in joining a continuing writing group. We are still finding our way. And truth be told only one of us is writing regularly at this point
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I have been thinking about how each of us approaches writing (or any creative project) just as we are in life. Some of us are more organized, some more anxious, some more doubting. We each have a predominant style and if we are honest we see it repeated over and over throughout our lives. We can grow, change and shift but the style remains. The best we can hope to do is manage it well.

I fall into the anxious category.  Despite all my training and experience I find myself procrastinating at the beginning of every project. You see I have an underlying belief that I should have everything figured out before I begin. I know this is not rational. I understand that I will solve problems as I go along and that I have the necessary resources to begin (or I know how to get them). This is not about reason; rather it is about something deep within me that is related to my personal style. It is a quality that I must manage.

Over the years I have learned how to manage my tendency to procrastinate very well. I don't dawdle for long but I know I will work my way through a process of putting off my work before I can begin. Even though I know it is coming I have to see myself in procrastination mode before I can alter my behaviour. It is one of the "no matter where you go there you are" things I guess.

Over the years I have learned to help myself in many ways. For example:
1.   I  work at regular times. For me early in the morning is the best time to work. Some of you may know that 4:00 am is my favourite time to go to work. It is when I am most creative and focussed.
2.   I establish a specific work schedule. If I am working on a big project I know that I will be working every day at certain times. Everything else has to be fit around my work schedule.
3.   I organize my materials. When I finish for the day I organize the materials I will need for the next session. This may be the single most important tool I have. When I go to work I don't need to spend time figuring out where to start.
4.   I tell myself that I have all the resources to resolve any problems that may arise. Experience tells me this is so. Occasionally I need to ask for help. In the past it was hard for me to admit I needed help but now that I am older and wiser this is less of a problem.
5.   I do not whine. Sometimes I want to whine but I don't really find it helpful. Rather I breathe and repeat positive aphorisms (I can do this; I am able to solve my problems; I have the resources I need; etc.).

I suspect my writing group is made up of others who experience anxiety when approaching creative tasks. It will be interesting to see how we can help each other face our fears and pick up our pens (or more likely computers). Perhaps this will be the topic for our next meeting.