A Word about Procrastination
I have calendared my weekly swim, but not time to write.
Last month I contacted a few Founding Members to thank them for their support. I asked if there was anything particular they wanted me to cover. One said she wanted to know how I handled writer’s block or procrastination.
We all struggle with that sometimes, right? Including me. So I’ll write more about this next month…kidding!
The easiest work I do is these free newsletters, because I have a hard deadline of the first of the month. I start writing them several weeks in advance and work on them in bits and pieces. My training as a journalist makes this deadline easy.
It’s quite different when there’s no deadline. Sometimes there’s a personal essay rolling around in my head. Even so, I know how to procrastinate with the best of them. I mull over just the lede (opening paragraphs) for months, and I don’t get any further. Which is pretty funny, because it’s only a tiny bit of the story.
Once I notice that I’m obsessing about the opening, it’s time to write my first draft. For that essay, writing happened because I had an afternoon with little else to do.
So I took the plunge and dove into the essay. And it was so much fun! As always, writing it made me wonder why I waited so long. I kept remembering more stories, and now it’s a few thousand words long.
Another technique to address procrastination is to block out time in the calendar. I’ve been doing that all summer to get in a swim, and it works. But I can’t seem to calendar in time for personal writing.
If I don’t feel motivated, sometimes I tell myself, “Why don’t you just work on it for 15 minutes?” Then I end up writing for an hour because I have a good time. I am entertaining myself in advance of entertaining readers.
The key is to believe that you have something great to share. While procrastinating, you could also imagine what a good time you’ll have when you start your project. Set yourself up to be successful.
What about you?
Many of you are productive writers. What are your strategies for getting your work done? Do you start early in the morning, without checking your phone? Do you put on music? What works for you?
Events
Coming Right Up: Jumpstart Your Cookbook Proposal
September 9, 16 and 23, 4 to 7 p.m. PDT/ 7 to 10 EDT on Zoom
$425 through Civic Kitchen cooking school
Speaking of procrastination, what’s your path to publishing? Are you thinking about your first or next cookbook, memoir, travel book, food history book, etc.? In this class, you’ll learn the latest about the publishing industry, what agents and editors look for, and how to up your recipe writing game.
Newbies, food bloggers, and published authors have all taken this class. It helps you keep up-to-date on what’s happening in the publishing world, and to know what has changed. This class also gives you the opportunity to share your book idea with the rest of us, and get feedback. Since we’re all cookbook and memoir consumers, we are the right audience.
If you’re out of town for any of the sessions, they are recorded so you can watch anytime. You will receive the handouts in advance. Join me!
Workshop Instructor: How AI can Supercharge Your Food Writing and Related Tasks
Optional session, 1-2:30 p.m. EDT, September 27, Brooklyn, New York.
During the International Association of Culinary Professionals Summit 2024, which runs September 25 to 27, 2024
Fee: $100 (+ service fees)
For the conference, the fee is $316.63 day pass + $108.55 for the awards ceremony and reception (optional) if purchased before Sept. 19, 2024.
The official event starts Wednesday night and continues into Thursday. My optional workshop is Friday, and there are others on Wednesday and Friday.
Here’s a chance to invest in yourself. Sharpen your skills, network and have fun over three days of classes and workshops. Make sure to come say hi.
Private Consults Anytime
Through a partner, Delicious Experiences
One-hour consult: $250
Book a Zoom consult for just one hour (or more, if you like). If you want to write a cookbook, get published or get better freelance assignments, let’s move you forward.
Other Writing Events from Our Community:
Women Writing Memoir, Six live Zoom sessions with different speakers, October 1-November 5, $50-349
The Newsletter Workshop. September 10-November 12. From Alicia Kennedy, on how to build a newsletter or expand on the one you’re already writing. $75-100.
Are you on Instagram?
So am I. I’ve been doing some food-based book mini-reviews and I announce events and classes there. Click on the image to see more.
What I’m Reading
My most popular post ever is with Caroline Chambers, writer of the top Substack newsletter. Read more about her with Substack Secrets with Caroline Chambers Of What To Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking. Also How Caroline Chambers Grew Her Substack Newsletter Into a 7-Figure Business. She gives such good tips about how to grow a business and connect with readers.
Did you see who is a finalist for the 2024 IACP awards? Congratulations to all! I’ll be at the awards ceremony in Brooklyn this year. Let me know if you are coming.
An Entirely Serious Investigation into Kamala Harris's Cookbooks. When British cookbook author Diana Henry showed a photo of cookbooks from Harris’s kitchen on Instagram, it inspired this piece in Esquire.
Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Food Studies. Edited by Darra Goldstein, here is an online, free look at compelling topics in food studies.
‘One of the most disgusting meals I’ve ever eaten’: AI recipes tested. The Guardian’s food writer purchases a few AI-written cookbooks and makes a few recipes.
We Asked Deb Perelman to Plan Your Next Dinner Party, and It's Sick. An enjoyable interview with food writing advice at the end. Plus, I’m with Deb: I want Laurie Colwin and Nora Ephron at the dinner table.
10 of the Best Books on Writing and Publishing. From Bookriot.com. These are “…books that approach writing and publishing from unique perspectives, books that blend craft lessons with memoir, and books that have changed the way I think about writing, revising, publishing, and the creative process more broadly,” says writer Laura Sackton.
How Do You Write A (Really Good) Recipe? Leah Koenig breaks it down.
How to Make Money as a Food Blogger (Tips for Beginners!). From Nutrifox, with real numbers, which is refreshing.
The Story of a Cookbook ... Michael Ruhlman on writing a cookbook with chef Thomas Keller and the subsequent Gourmet magazine article with a seemingly controversial section.
Why Are People Decorating the Inside of Their Refrigerators? Picture frames? Seriously?
Can AI make better chocolate chip cookie recipes than humans? We taste tested 2. Yeah, I knew the answer, but the article brings up some interesting points.
Reasons for homemade cake, mangonada, and appetite adornment. Emiko Davies tells us about some of her favorite food newsletters here at Substack — and they’re not the usual.
I was a Bestselling Recipe Writer — then Burnout Killed My Appetite for Food, and Life. This is How I found My Way Back. British freelance writer Meera Sodha recounts how she pulled herself together.
Coach and editor Allison K. Williams writes about The Platform Authors Need Now (That Isn’t Social Media).
How Psychology Can Make You a Better Cook: 5 Secrets from Research. Great tips for those of us who entertain.
What Sells a Book? it’s not a mystery, says Publishing Confidential.
Cookbook Chronicles: The Science & Art of Recipe Development. Martin Sorge lets us in on his process for his upcoming cookbook.
Anatomy of a Critic. Restaurant critic Mahira Rivers contemplates what it’s like to write for an audience more interested in entertainment than taste.
If Desired. Joy Manning discusses this phrase in recipe speak.
News from Clients and Students
Former student Joy Marr started a Substack newsletter called The Cookbook Chronicles.
Publishing Express wrote that Jennifer Segal’s book, Once Upon a Chef: 70 Quick-Fix Weeknight Dinners, was a top-selling cookbook in 2022 and 2023. (I coached her on her first book proposal.)
Raeanne Sarazen’s book, The Complete Recipe Writing Guide, is a finalist for an IACP book award. (I coached her on some aspects of the book.)
Pat Tanumihardja’s latest book, Mortar & Pestle: Classic Indonesian Recipes for the Modern Kitchen is available for pre-order. Her Eating Well column, Heritage Cooking was nominated for an IACP award for Best Recipe-Focused Column. (I coached her on her first book proposal.)
I like to brag about food writing accomplishments. Send me an email: dj@diannej.com.
My Book
The latest edition of my multiple award-winning book, Will Write for Food: 2021: Pursue Your Passion and Bring Home the Dough Writing Recipes, Cookbooks, Blogs, and More.
I’m also the co-author of:
Disclosures: I am an affiliate of Food Blogger Pro, Amazon and Bookshop.org.
Thanks for Reading
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Dianne Jacob
Editor, Writer and Coach
Email: dj@diannej.com
Website: http://diannej.com
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I think a lot of people procrastinate because of the fear that it won't be good enough or of outright failure and rejection. When I wrote my first book, it was accepted that authors could go directly to publishers. I had a game I played with myself to keep going. As any first time author knows rejection is a major reason to procrastinate. So I had a reward for the best rejection letter I received. Nahum Waxman won. He was so kind in his rejection it has kept me going all these years. I'm not sure if this qualifies as procrastination but it's interesting how different people write. If I can't come up with my opening sentence, I can't seem to write anything else. Once I get that down on paper, everything else just flows. I even keep paper and pen on my night table for any late night inspirations. Many, many years ago, when I was featured in Bon Appetit, they asked for one more recipe for the article. No matter what I tried, I wasn't coming up with that last recipe. But in the middle of the night I found it. It made the cover of the magazine. I think the key is not to obsess over the inability to move forward as long it's temporary.
I have joined an online goal setting community (focused.space). They have multiple daily 15-minute goal planning sessions. They also offer 90-minute community work sessions all day long that are hosted. These provide a structured short meditation to start and end the session. Then three pomodoro sessions help me to accomplish those earlier set goals. It’s been the best investment at $36/mo.
I have also played around with a more personal four person coworking online app called groove.ooo. They provide a place for four “groovers” to work in an hour session. Unhosted, the first and last five minutes are dedicated to discussion between the members on camera. Then cameras are shut down for 50 minutes. The last five minutes are then camera on minutes to reconnect and discuss your accomplishments. There’s an opportunity to work together again if you “click”again. The app provides an opportunity to find “friends” that you’ll want to cowork with. I’ve met groovers from around the world. A few days ago I worked with a woman from the Philippines