The Creative Process - the Joy of Procrastination

How many of us have great pieces we are planning to write, but we just haven't got round to doing them yet? Procrastination, the 'thief of time', affects writers just as much as it affects the rest of the population. Perhaps more so for those of us who have to set our own agenda rather than following a schedule determined for us by an employer or an editor.

Procrastination is generally seen as a bad thing, as something which gets between us and our creativity and minimises our output. Would we not have a great body of published work behind us, a list of top ten books, or a world-wide reputation if only we didn't put off doing all the things we needed to do and intended to do?

Yes, it's a great excuse, isn't it? I'd be successful if only......

But is procrastination really such a bad thing? Let's look at it from another angle and ask what benefits it can bring us.

Another, more positive, name for procrastination might be thinking time. Time to mull over ideas and plans in our mind and come to a more informed decision about them. Time to let an idea seep into our bones or our bones seep into our idea. Would you prefer an end product that had been simmered for hours in the flesh and bones of real life or one that had been given the quick 'stock cube' fix of instant decisions?

Can you taste the difference, feel the higher quality or does a longer thinking time and more careful writing only make a minimal difference? Indeed, could it take away some of the freshness and immediacy of the writing?

On the other hand, does procrastination not sometimes save us from hasty, ill-considered actions, badly chosen words, unwise choices?

What's your opinion? Would you prefer to jump right in with both feet while you still have the impetus and the enthusiasm to complete a project? Or would you rather take your time and make sure everything about it is just right and your work is the very best it could be?

I'm sure a case can be made for both sides, but I'd love to know how what sort of impact procrastinating or not procrastinating has had on you?