How to Stop "ProCRAFTinating!"

The Resilient Writers Radio Show

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8d ago 18:56

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Welcome back to The Resilient Writers Radio Show! In this solo episode, Rhonda tackles a sneaky form of procrastination that plagues so many writers—what she calls “procraftination.”

You know the feeling. You sit down to write that tricky third scene in Act Two… and suddenly you need to read just one more writing craft book.

Or register for a new workshop. Or spend two hours researching the Victorian medical tools your character might use—even though that detail doesn’t show up for three more chapters.

Sound familiar?

Rhonda dives into why this kind of procrastination feels productive (because hey, it’s writing-adjacent!), but actually gets in the way of finishing your draft.

She shares her love for craft books, research rabbit holes, and workshops—but also offers a crucial mindset shift: these tools are powerful when used in the right phase of the writing process.

Inside the episode, you'll learn:

Why we often turn to writing education instead of writing the next scene
How to recognize when you're avoiding your draft in disguise
The best times to read craft books or take workshops (hint: not mid-draft!)
Rhonda’s “square bracket method” for handling research without interrupting your creative flow
Why fast-drafting your book—without trying to perfect every line—is so essential to long-term success

Rhonda also unpacks how fear, self-doubt, and “this book might be mediocre” thinking can trick us into busywork that feels safe.

She shares how becoming a conscious observer of your own creative process can help you spot the difference between genuine growth and sneaky procrastination.

💬 One key truth from the episode:
All good books aren’t written—they’re rewritten.

This liberating mindset shift can help you finally give yourself permission to write a messy first draft and save the polish for later. Because you can’t revise what you haven’t finished.

Whether you’re tempted to re-read Save the Cat one more time or you’re lost in 19th-century historical medical texts (true story), this episode is your gentle but firm reminder:
📣 It’s time to finish the damn draft.

🎧 Listen now and get clear on how to make progress that actually moves your book forward:

Resources Mentioned:

Rhonda’s Book Finishers Bootcamp (returning in September!)
Rhonda’s 12-Step Revision Process (taught inside First Book Finish)
Craft books and workshops: when to use them, and when to pause

100 episodes

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