Last time I wrote about my short story collection, Austin was in the midst of an ice storm that would power down our terrain for a full week. It was shocking and disorienting, despite my own personal safety. And yet it threw me off the path of my own pursuits, and then of course the business of planning a wedding now does too.

Since I made writing a regular habit, I’ve always had to get myself started with music. It’s become like a Pavlov’s dog effect both for my creative pursuits, but also working life. I turn on the music as large as I can comfortably bear with headphones, then set to work. And just like that, the music cues my productivity. It’s really a marvel.

This week I’m set to begin work on my collected short stories. And yet it dawns on me that instead of starting that work, I am writing this diary entry on writing a book. You could prescribe it as the ultimate form of procrastination, but I see it as a way to set myself up with success by announcing to the world my plans.