I titled this post and realized it sounded super familiar. Well, that’s because I wrote it in August 2016. And before that, I wrote a post about how procrastination was the first step in my drafting process. That being said, the August 2016 post was very effective in motivating me to move forward on brainstorming and ultimately drafting what would become the manuscript I’m currently querying, YOUR SECRET’S NOT SAFE WITH ME. I honestly can’t believe it’s been that long since my last first draft, but in the past year and a half, I also completed an R&R (more of a write a whole new book and resubmit than a revise and resubmit) for another MS and participated in Pitch Wars for SECRET. So there’s a reason it’s taken me a while to get to a new project.

In any case, I actually have started brainstorming, so I’m not completely ignoring the fact that I should be focusing on a new project while I’m waiting to hear from agents on the existing one. However, in my usual fashion, if there’s any excuse to do something else–volunteer work like Girl Scout cookie mom or library coordinator duties, make new charts in my query spreadsheet, scroll through Twitter–I choose that over my brainstorming and planning.

I really thought I’d be better about it this time. As much as I hate drafting, I planned my last MS out so well that it wasn’t as much of a trial as usual. I think now maybe the problem is that the planning is sort of like the drafting. But I need to get over that and get moving because I am excited about my new idea. I’m not quite ready to share what it is here other than to say it is YA and will involve a touch of the unexplainable.

As in 2016, I’m using the blog as my drafting accountability. Barring anything that might arise with my existing project, I will finish brainstorming and plotting this sucker out and start drafting on Monday, Feb. 12, which should result in a draft by early April.

So now that I’ve distracted myself with this blog post, I’d better get to work. Please do hold me accountable!