Getting it write

Marking time has come round again.  I mark GCSE English Literature and once I get going it's fine.  At the moment however I am  waiting for my first sample papers to come back from my team leader to tell me if I am marking at the correct standard, or not. This is making me very, very nervous.  My record is good, I've been trained, so why the panic?

Because I don't like getting it wrong.

And what has this got to do with writing?

Well everything.  I think it is one of the reasons why I find it hard to promote my work and why I can dither over what exactly I want to write and when I'm going to do it.  I have at least two ideas for books, but at the moment I can't decide which one I want to start.  Which is the best route to go down? Should I go with my books for adults? My kids books? Short stories? Play?  At least I don't have to worry about poetry, because I don't do that.

All this worrying takes time and creative energy. It wastes hours of what could be productive and enjoyable work.  I know, deep down, I would be better off just getting something written. However, I suffer from the curse of getting it right, which is why for the next few weeks, or until marking is done and dusted, I'm going to be a little short tempered and edgy  

What we should be doing

"Catherine, Caffeinated" <donotreply@wordpress.com> 

A brilliant, no holds barred blog which tells you as it is.  It's certainly made me look at what i'm doing re-books and promotion. Can recommend it to anyone who writes.