When Good Author Habits Turn Bad

GOOD: Sitting down at the computer every single day.
BAD: Using that computer time to surf the net instead of continuing manuscript.

GOOD: Seeking out peers who are working towards the same goal.
BAD: Chatting with those peers about everything other than writing.

GOOD: Collecting reference works to polish manuscript.
BAD: Using reading time to devour paperback novels while reference works grow dusty.

GOOD: Submitting work to critique partners for fresh insights.
BAD: Spending double the time it took to write the excerpt trying to
convince critique partners why their constructive criticism comments are incorrect.

GOOD: Submitting work to writing contests.
BAD: Feeling 100% vindicated or 100% persecuted by comments of individual judges, rather than seeing them as small elements in a larger picture.

GOOD: Attending regular real-time writing group meetings.
BAD: Focusing more on windowshopping/snack consumption after the meeeting rather than on speaker content during.

GOOD: Creating a landing pad in the blogosphere to promote writing work.
BAD: Being surprised that an eon has passed by in the time one has spent 'researching' other blogs.

GOOD: Subscribing to a newspaper so as to increase chances of igniting one's muse.
BAD: Solving the sudoku puzzle and then placing paper in recycling box.

GOOD: Having the goal to attend a writers convention once work is ready to be pitched.
BAD: Spending the same amount of time studying recommendations about convention footwear as recommendations about how to pitch.

The Gentle Reader will have gathered that Apprentice Writer is guilty of all these bad habits and more. Apprentice Writer very much hopes that insight is the first step towards correction....