During the month of June, I told myself I wasn’t blogging because my virtual book tour was taking too much time.  During the earlier part of July, it was because I was “on vacation,” and then attending the RWA National Convention in Washington DC.  Earlier this week, it was because I was getting a detailed synopsis for the next Mercy Hollings books revised and sent to the editors.

So I should be out of excuses.

But, somehow, that just doesn’t seem to be the case.

Recently, I watched a movie called He’s Just Not That Into You.  It’s a cute romantic comedy, based on a self-help book by the same name.  The primary message of both is simple: If a man really wants to be with you, he’ll find a way to do it.  He won’t lose your number, or, if he does, he’ll take out an ad in the paper. He won’t be too busy—he’ll skip poker night and tell his mother to hire a plumber to fix her leaky sink. He’ll leave work early or show up late. He won’t be too tired to get together or too broke to take you out somewhere.

The book and the movie are both about dating, but I think the message applies across a much broader spectrum, at least for me.  It’s this:  If I really want to do something, I’ll find a way to do it.  If I don’t, it’s pretty easy to find an excuse.

When you’re as overbooked as I am, excuses are amazingly easy to find.   But, even though my extreme business over the past few days has recently kept me from doing laundry, giving the (visiting) dog a flea treatment, and figuring out why On Demand doesn’t work on my cable, I have managed to read a couple of novels, bake a batch of cookies and give myself a pedicure.  And, even though I’m supposed to be dog-sitting, I’m pretty sure I’m going to find a way to see the new Harry Potter film in the next couple of days.

You can help me with one of my undone chores: Sorting and storing all of the books I picked up at the RWA National Convention.  A random commenter will win today’s prize: Category Romance Novel Extravaganza!  It includes the following books: Harlequin Presents -The Sheikh’s Defiant Bride  by Sandra Marton, Harlequin Intrigue - Big Sky Dynasty (signed) by B.J. Daniels, Silhouette Special Edition – Fortune’s Woman (signed) by Raeanne Thayne, Love Inspired – Her last Chance (signed) by Terri Reed, and Harlequin American Romance – Waiting for Baby, (signed) by Cathy McDavid.

Quite a haul for some romance lover!

Ooh, I wanna win! I hope you enjoy the new Harry Potter. I thought it was fantastic and had the best acting performances of any of the movies so far!

ooh enter me! I follow you on twitter. :)

I want to see that movie but have been making excuses of not having enough time...lol There's so much to do and it's so true that if we "really" want to get it done we will...if not there are plenty of "excuses". Thanks for sharing!!!;)

I guess we all create excuses if there is something we don't want to do. Me, I am sitting here at work avoiding working by answering your post! Ha! Sometimes we just have to suck it up and just do it! Oh, and yes the books would be way cool!;)

That is an awesome prize. I too follow you on twitter. And this is awesome. I hope you had fine, and I hope the movie was good.o:)

i seem to be the queen of making excuses to do anything except twitter or read.Just no incentive, no desire and a really big I don't give a crap attitude. :P Sad really when I realize Xmas isn't that far away, I have an exercycle to put together and start using, an old garden to tear down and a new one to at least get up and ready for next year, a dining room that is buried under craft stuff and it's our place where the whole family (all 20 of us) gather for the holidays, and who knows what else, to do.
Think I will spend the weekend reading.Or shopping. Maybe a little laundry. A nap?

Tonia - I completely agree with you - when it comes to doing stuff we want we find the time - but sometimes we want to do something but maybe fears get in the way - like writing a novel for instance - I'm slowly working my way through writing one and while there's a lot of thinking going on there isn't as much writing. Now, my excuses are many - too busy - working on other stuff - too many appointments etc... and yet finishing a manuscript is a big dream of mine. So I've got to pull myself out of this procrastinating phase and get to it! Any advice? :) Great post!

Cheers,
Joanna D'Angelo
http://popculturedivas.blogspot.com/

*Puts hand in air and jumps up and down like a jelly bean on a sugar rush* Did someone say there's stash of romance books from the recent RWA convention?! OH me, me me!!! Who ever wins that prize, is in for one hell of a romantic summer :o)

Movie, He's just not that into you: I saw that on the plane going to the UK earlier this summer. Have to say, it made my flight more enjoyable.
You're so right... if we wanna avoid something, we will find a way. I'm so guilty of that.

Great post!
Always nice to see that I am not the only one who has too much on her plate. Unfortunately, my plate does not consist of any home baked cookies.

Ohhh books, shiny! How's that for a random comment?

Oh. My. Lands. I "haven't had time" to write a word, but I also spent 2 1/2 hours watching the new Harry Potter. And last night I watched tv while painting my toenails teal. TEAL. And then I topped them with little foil silver stars. But I can't take the time to do what really makes me happy? Hmmmm.

Excellent post.

Amazing what we'll do to procrastinate isn't it? A great post!

I do the same thing. It's amazing how much I accomplish when I just stop talking myself into excuses. Funny how I don't have time to clean the bathrooms but I seem to have time to read....:-?

I've been procrastinating on many projects that I started but life and children and hubs gets in the way. Though I just finished one project that I'm happy about.

No excuses, indeed! I've been meaning to see that movie AND leave a comment on this blog - now I've done one of these things... :-) Guess I'll click on over to Netflix and add that movie. Would love to win those books, as well, of course. But just happy to stop by and say "hi."

I would love to win some romance as a newcomer to the genre. It's so hard to know where to start. I am also a shocking procrastinator. :P

Would LOVE to win! There seems to be a lack of romance in my life since kid #3 was born... LOL

Hi Toni.... I am all for helping you out... I would love to add a few to the book wall. And my blog has been neglected too so I do know how you feel. Not that I get the traffic of terrific fans that you do.

I think the phrase "He's just not that into you" was coined by Miranda on Sex in the City. It's a piece of advice Aidan gives her and her eyes are opened. I agree though, it's not just true of romantic relationships, it's true of them all.

I'm @stephaniewrites on twitter. I loved that movie! You make good points about excuses! I need to make August no excuse month.

Wow, I love that concept--"he's just not that into you" applying to writing. Kind of kicked me in the...ovaries. I'll be thinking about that a lot today :)
Also, I'm Averywrite on twitter and I'd love to win those books!

Oooo, love to get my hands on these. I hope I win. :)

The entire time I read your (poignant, timely, too true) post, I couldn't help but think... this woman could be talking about ME. She's talking about HERSELF (and kudos to you at making your career a success! YOU GO GIRL!) However - you may have an alter ego somewhere in the realm of Western New York. And that'd be me.

Here's the thing. I tend to over-book, too. It's what ambitious, capable people do. It's also what people (ie. you, me and probably a gazillion others) do when they have tons of good ideas, pretty good work which leads them to lots of creative and/or business opportunities.

And then, yes, it's easy to make excuses. "Let ourselves off the hook" as it were. I AGREE WITH YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

But you know what? Reading those novels? Baking that batch of cookies? Girlfriend, you were just re-filling your well. Nurturing yourself, tending to YOU, pampering yourself a little bit so that you can go on being ambitious and capable and creative.

I am with you - we've gotta keep up with what we start. That goes for books and blogs and clubs. But we've also gotta tend to ourselves, too. Otherwise, soon, there may not be too much of our goodness to give. ;) So if you're ever in Rochester, NY, look me up. I'm your pedicure pal. ;)

Best,
Jo Lynne Valerie:)

I also follow you on twitter @ilovestoread and I am the biggest procrastinator. I read when I am not looking after my 10 month old. I would love to win. I hope you enjoy Harry Potter. I have to wait till I weasel someone to babysit. In the meantime Hubby is home with baby and I am going to see the Ugly Truth so we shall see what its look.

Reading is one thing, no matter what,I include in each day. In the past month I've stopped procratinating about helping my neighbor put a new beam in my attic to hold up the ceiling over the dining room now that I've removed the wall that used to support it. I almost have the floor pulled up and have the new wood floor on the way. I've taken on two new decorators in my slipcover business , the garden is up to date, as is the lawn and laundry. I've done a rewrite on my first novel, have put together the list of 'who to query'. The usual mother issues when you have a 22 year old dealing with boyfriend and school about to start again. What have I learned about hitting on all the projects I want to accomplish and in such a short time?
Don't do it! It has reduced me to an energy deprived, way too tired person. I think we all need to accept a bit of procrastination in our world. After I catch up on my rest, I will be right where I am now, without being any farther ahead. Elapsed time for either plan is roughly the same. Only difference is, I got to add cranky to my list of achievements by trying to do it all at once.

Sometimes those are excuses, and sometimes those are reasons. But yeah, if you really want to do it, you'll find a way.

On the other hand, sometimes you just have to step back & go 'why don't I want to do this? Is it a good reason? Or is it that I don't want to do this right now?'

I have a bunch of excuses lately of not revising my short stories or postponing my nonfiction article. I hate procrastination. I'm trying to go back to reading now. o:)

Here here! The excuses are so easy, aren't they. I need to get back into posting on my blogs, more than just the interesting links every Friday, because drift so quickly becomes nothing.

There is no such thing as procrastination - only lower priorities. ;)

Enjoy your research on the transition of culturally popular YA literature to a visual medium (AKA the Harry Potter movie).

You're right: just not into it is bigger than romance. I'll skip sleep to finish a novel. I won't stay up until 2 to do the dishes.

Oh, wow, it's good to see you blogging again. And I'm sure most of us would be thrilled to take some of those extra books off of your hands.

My excuse: Not getting the idea to come out the way I want it to... or having a migraine or having to work or having a job interview and traveling..... so today:

RT: I WILL FINISH THE SS TODAY.... I can always make it exciting later #writegoal

Self imposed deadline is tonight! (I like how it ironically lined up with your post)
;)

So i was a little off... I finished it today at about 3pm... but it is done!