4. Reasonable objectives
'A couple of days, that's all,' said the builder. But it took over a week.
Why is it that people consistently underestimate the work required for a given task? Optimism? The triumph of hope over realism? Or perhaps some deliberate chicanery?
In your case, you cannot – must not – deceive
yourself.
Look for a moment at the size of the task ahead: a novel! Perhaps 250 pages. 400 or 500 paragraphs. Maybe 10 or 20 characters. 5 or 6 locations.
Or does 80,000 words sound more manageable? Maybe
not. Daunting isn't it?
Break it up. Think to yourself: 'I'll get that section done by Easter,
then I can go on holiday and do nothing but think.' Tell yourself: 'I
will make myself a nice cup of tea once I've finished the description
of the new character.' Or, of course, a gin and
tonic!
Give yourself reasonable objectives …
Oh, and don't be too hard on yourself if you can't quite manage it.
