Step 1. Embrace the Chaos
Let’s get one thing straight: your writing space doesn’t have to look like a Pinterest board. A little mess never hurt anyone. Sometimes, a cluttered desk can be a sign of a cluttered mind brimming with brilliant ideas. So, don’t waste time cleaning. Instead, dive into that chaos and pull out the threads of your next masterpiece.

Step 2. Set Ridiculously Small Goals
Forget writing a chapter a day. That’s for superheroes and people who have their lives together. Instead, aim to write a single sentence. Yes, just one. Once you’ve managed that, aim for another. Before you know it, you might have a whole paragraph. Progress is progress, no matter how tiny.

Step 3. The Pomodoro Technique (with a Twist)
You’ve probably heard of the Pomodoro Technique—25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break. It’s effective but can feel rigid. Spice it up a little. Write for 20 minutes, then reward yourself with 10 minutes of your favourite guilty pleasure. TikTok videos, cat memes, whatever floats your boat. The key is to make the breaks as enticing as possible so you look forward to them.

Step 4. Procrastinate Productively
Sometimes, you just can’t write. Period. Instead of beating yourself up, do something else productive. Organise your bookshelf, brainstorm plot ideas, research something vaguely related to your story, wash the dishes, or do the ironing (ok maybe not that). You’re still progressing...even if it’s sideways.

Step 5. Use the Buddy System
Find a fellow writer who’s also battling the procrastination monster. Check in with each other regularly. Share your progress, no matter how minimal. There’s something about knowing someone else is expecting an update that can spur you into action. Plus, you can commiserate over how much you both hate writing and love it at the same time.

Step 6. Write Badly, On Purpose
The fear of writing badly is a major procrastination trigger. So, flip the script. Sit down with the intention of writing the worst garbage ever. The freedom to be terrible can break down your mental barriers. You can always fix it later. Remember, you can’t edit a blank page, but you can totally edit a terrible one.

Step 7. Create a Ritual
We are creatures of habit. Establish a pre-writing ritual to signal to your brain that it’s time to get to work. It could be as simple as making a cup of tea, lighting a candle, or doing a quick stretch (I do sit-ups...don't ask). Over time, your brain will associate these actions with writing time, making it easier to transition into work mode.

Step 8. Visualise the Finish Line
Take a moment to imagine the end result. Picture your completed manuscript, your name on the cover, the accolades and glowing reviews. It’s a powerful motivator. Visualising success can push you to turn off Netflix and turn on your writing brain.

Step 9. Forgive Yourself
Finally, cut yourself some slack. Every writer procrastinates. It’s part of the job description. Don’t let guilt or frustration paralyse you. Accept it, laugh about it, and then get back to writing when you can.

Procrastination might be a formidable foe, but with these strategies, you can tackle it head-on and keep those creative juices flowing. Now, go write something—or at least think about writing something. Baby steps, right?