Writer’s Toolbox: Welding Mask

  
As a writer, you’re a person with intense emotions. You’re probably prone to all kinds of forbidden desires. This week, I’ll show you how to win the battle over temptation so that you can get your ass back in your writing chair.

There are two ways to deal with temptation.

The first one is the one I use the most often, which is avoidance. Avoid any possibility of temptation all the time. Don’t leave your house. Don’t fill your house with things like food, alcohol, or people with working sexual organs.

Sometimes I have to leave the house, like when I go to work. That’s ok. You have to leave a physical space sometimes, but you can still hide in your mental space. People are always asking me, “Hey, do you want to get a drink after work?” I always say yes, so they’ll leave me alone. When work is over, I’ve magically forgotten that those people exist, because they’ve never walked into the room of my mind. I keep that room locked from the inside. Sometimes, you might see someone attractive that you want to talk to or spend more time with or have sex with. They might even say something to you like, “Hey after work do you want to have a drink and think about what it would be like to have sex?” It’s hard to stay in the mental room in times like this, so avoid having anyone ever ask you that question by looking down and mumbling controversial opinions any time you see someone who is attractive. Also don’t take showers.

These are all good techniques for avoidance. There are more, but the basic principle is the same.

Sometimes, you can’t avoid temptation. What to do?

Get it over with.

At this point you’re fucked. You’re a writer, so you probably have zero impulse control. That’s fine. Just do whatever thing you’ll later wish you hadn’t done and do it fast so you can get back to writing. Don’t worry, it’s not like you’re going to notice one more regret. The main thing is the time you’re going to waste doing whatever thing and not writing. That’s something you can never get back.

Those are the two tools I use to overcome every temptation. I hope they work for you!

Posted in WritingTagged temptation, Writer's Toolbox, Writing Advice