Is it research or is it procrastination?

I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in the habit of thinking,

"I'll 'just' spend a half hour looking for pictures on Pinterest for inspiration," or

"I'll 'just' tweak my synopsis," or even, the most dangerous,

"I'll 'just' network a little on Twitter..." and next thing you know it is 1 am.

If there is one thing that writing whilst home-schooling during my long months shielding from Coronavirus has taught me, it's that there are many 'useful' activities that become a massive time suck and actually prevent you from achieving productivity.

However, it is wrong to beat yourself up about it. You don't have to be productive all the time. Connecting, dreaming and planning are all vital tools in our creative tool kit. Besides, it's not possible to be at your creative peak if you are juggling as many worries and responsibilities as we have all had to in 2020. My top tip to retain some control over these activities is compartmentalisation: Earmark time to just be with your children when you can, and use that time to listen and play (it's rejuvenating, honest). I browse Pinterest and Twitter on my phone only, so when I have some solid writing time planned I can turn off the internet (ignoring the sweaty palm panic!) and take my laptop to a quiet place. No great revelation, huh, but I am reminding myself by writing this as much as anyone else.

Because last night, I had planned to write for three hours. All the kids were in bed, I had some energy left and - unusually - even the dishes were already done. However, I 'just' wanted to research a little more about 16th century costume before I really got stuck into the main writing. Next thing you know, the three hours was up and all I had to show for it was a new portfolio of nice pictures saved onto my computer.

So it goes. At least now I can use these next time I hit a description wall and I don't have the internet, so hopefully I've saved myself some time another day. But was it really legitimate research? Or simply procrastination? Only time will tell...

Illustration: Engraving of an English Lady by Wencelaus Hollar, 1645