A perfect storm. A new PC with an unfamiliar operating system, no internet connection and an awful lot of snow. What could possibly go wrong? Well, the shop had run out of Windows 8 for Dummies for a start. Couldn’t be better.

I’m not a computer expert and I appreciate that I need a modicum of understanding. Why should it be easy? I’ve read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and I know it behoves me to at least show willing, to get to grips with it, but perhaps not today. The lack of connectivity has given me an ideal opportunity to get some uninterrupted writing done and I shouldn’t ignore this gift. At least I’ve managed to upload all my files from the old computer so I’ve got something to work on. I’ve even managed to open a new document. I’m off and running.

But I have a problem. I’ve got so many projects on the go that I’m paralysed into inaction; my motivation has gone awol and I can’t decide what to tackle first. As a consequence I don’t do anything. So I do nothing but read. It’s always a great pleasure, and I do bang on about reading widely, but I actually feel guilty for indulging myself when there are so many other things I ought to be doing.

I fear this state of affairs will continue indefinitely unless I do something decisive, so here’s my plan: I’m going to use my time more effectively, which also means I’m going to temporarily suspend this blog. I will still post, when I have something significant to say or when I’ve got some progress to report, only not as regularly. Experience tells me that when I formally release myself from a task or a responsibility, it suddenly becomes a whole lot more attractive, accessible and achievable.

I hope I have heaps to talk about in the coming months. I really do mean to self-publish my novel, but there’s some time-consuming work to be done first to get it into tip-top condition. Then there’s the prison project with the writing group, homework for the group, the new novel, and the short stories on the radio….and work….and….sorry, I dozed off there.

I was going to write something about euphemisms this week, but my get up and go has got up and gone. I’ll save it for later.