With a book coming out in April of this year, I should be working on the stand-alone sequel.  Note I said should.  I’ve got six chapters done and put them up for critiques at the workshop where I’m a member. 

In the past, I would have completed twice the amount of chapters in the time I’ve been fiddling with this new story.  I admit that I’m not as focused as I used to be, which I find peculiar.  Before I got a book contract, I worked harder.  I was always on a story, trying to write chapters as quickly as possible to satisfy my readers. 

Thing is, I’m not as focused now.  Partly because I have so many things going on in my head.  I’m thinking about the various things I can do to get my name and book cover out there. I’m also working out how to generate demand, to ensure good sales. 

I can’t deny it, I also like to browse the net.   Not random sites, mind you, just a few places where I hang out daily.  But I’m finally admitting to myself how much time I waste doing that, and this is stuff I do several times per day - mostly when I’m bored or between tasks. 

I started a chapter last night, but then I decided to ‘check on things’ before I got down to writing this morning.  I did an-hour-and-a-half worth of surfing and interacting and I didn’t got a single word written. 
Now, the book in question is scheduled for release in October;  I told myself I’d get it done by the end of February, edited by the end of April and off to the publisher, so they’d have five months with it. Ideally, I wanted them to have it six months in advance.  That’s definitely not possible.

But I know what I need to do to stay on track.  Cram email, Facebook, Twitter, and what not, into two time slots for the day and limit myself to those periods.  I’ll consider rewarding myself with a third slot AFTER I’ve got another ten chapters or so written.  It’s the only way I’m gonna get anything done. 

How do you keep yourself from wandering the net all day long?