Octobers Panic Button:IWSG

The first Wednesday in October, and as I think about what to write for the Insecure Writers Support Group, the only thing that comes to mind is last October. Lately most of my thoughts are built upon reflections of last October. Maybe not so surprising since October is THE birthday month for me. Three birthdays in one month, mine and two of my children’s, but last October was special because I got to spend it with them for the first time in many years. So, now that you know my state of mind and extreme desire for a time machine, you should not be surprised that I traveled back to last year’s post for this group.

Panic: a sudden overwhelming fear, with or without cause, that produces hysterical or irrational behavior, and that often spreads quickly through a group of persons or animals.

 

Here is last year’s post. I find it fitting to re-post now, since I am once again under the panic of October and there are deadlines to meet.

As a writer we are forced to meet certain deadlines and make compromises that do not always leave us smiling. As these deadlines approach time has a funny way of moving faster, excuses turn into a work of art, and as you stare at words that make no sense panic takes over. Do you recognize that feeling? If you are anything like me you tend to wait until that last minute. In a confused state of denial you will look at the calendar and at the clock and say, “That can’t be right!”  So what do you do? How do you focus to get things done when that nasty panic takes control and you sit there like a zombie staring into space?

Overdrive is a natural built in human defense mechanism. For same strange reason panic is the trigger that puts me into overdrive. Once I accept it for what it is, I push it aside and move on with super speed to get things done. I work well under pressure, I do not waste time and I become more focused. So my word of advice here is to not fear panic, do not let it take control of you for too long. Panic came to visit for a reason, so once you have said hello, politely close the door as it leaves. Then you can find your super human “writing overdrive” and get things done.

What makes you panic and how do you deal with it?

 Don't forget to visit other members of this group, maybe these writers are dealing with the same as you.