Vapor Locked
Remember carbeurated cars? I do. And since my husband likes older cars, we still have a couple of them. A problem that doesn’t happen often in modern cars, thanks to high-pressure fuel pumps and fuel injectors, is vapor lock. But I remember when it happened fairly often, at least in one of the cars I drove back in the day.
Though I didn’t know exactly what caused it back then–fuel vaporizing (converting from liquid to gas) while still in the fuel-delivery system (fuel pump or carbeurator)–I remember what it felt like. The engine would lag, sometimes even stall. And it was hard to get it started again.
Sometimes I feel just like one of those old cars as I sit down to write. Lately, it’s been in relation to the blog. I have ideas, I’m even at the keyboard, but I get stuck. Vapor locked.
Thankfully, I’m not having the same problem with the novel. I’m working on it. A little progress every day, and that helps.
There’s a nice piece by Gretchen Rubin on getting writing done, a problem I face at the end of every school year when the kids are suddenly home all day, every day. Except when I’m driving them to some activity or a friend’s house. Or picking up friends to bring to our house. Or… You get the picture.
I have hope for better luck this year. First, my kids are older. That should help. I’ve also given myself permission to leave the house or lock myself in the bedroom to be away from distractions. They’re capable of handling most problems or questions without asking me for help, so I’m going to forbid disruptions when I’m sequestered.
With any kind of luck, going into the summer with a plan will prevent vapor lock on my writing projects. I’m committed to having a good writing summer. It will be here soon, and I want it to be a fun, productive season. I’ll try some new work habits and see what works. Maybe I’ll develop a new routine that sticks once fall rolls around.
What kinds of writing routines keep you on track in summer? What’s your best productivity tip? Share in comments.