Wikipedia describes “analysis paralysis” as this: “The term “analysis paralysis” or “paralysis of analysis” refers to over-analyzing (or over-thinking) a situation, so that a decision or action is never taken, in effect paralyzing the outcome. A decision can be treated as over-complicated, with too many detailed options, so that a choice is never made, rather than try something and change if a major problem arises. A person might be seeking the optimal or “perfect” solution upfront, and fear making any decision which could lead to erroneous results, when on the way to a better solution.
This describes me to a “T”. This is the reason behind my procrastination in most things, and the reason for my dearth of postings lately.
I read, on my new, wonderful Nook Tablet that I bought myself for Christmas, a fantastic book on blogging by Margaret Andrews, famous Sacramento blogger and author of the blog Nanny Goats in Panties and also author of this fantastic book, “Sticky Readers: How To Attract a Loyal Blog Audience By Writing More Better.”
I read the “Sticky Readers” book in about three hours, absorbing the information like a thirsty puppy lapping up water. You know how they do — I wriggled a lot, wagged my tail furiously as I slurped and spilled all over the place, then ran over and slobbered all over Margaret with my still-wet face and cold nose. No really. It has very practical, immediately applicable information, which I immediately wanted to apply to my writing. Margaret writes in a style that is both humorous and engaging, leaving the reader with writing tips that you can immediately use, and some good tips for practicing good writing. I am friends with Margaret on Facebook, and indeed she and I went to rival high schools when I lived in Sacramento. We didn’t know each other at the time, but it is wonderful to see how her writing career has taken off. I am very envious and plan to use the tips in her book so I can write “more better.”
However, and this is no fault of Margaret’s, having read this book sent me into paroxysms of “analysis paralysis”, which pretty much happens to me every time I read a book like hers and attempt to apply them in my own life. This happens with any self-help book, and even something as simple and easy to apply as her writing tips in “Sticky Readers” left me panicky every time I went to put fingers to keyboard.
“Okay, Self,” I’d say, to, well, myself. “You can do this.”
Inhale, and exhale sharply. Shake out the fingers. Place them on asdf and jkl;. Left foot jiggling. Biting my lower lip.
Okay. Now. What did she say?? What if I screw up? I won’t have sticky readers! Maybe that’s why I have all this traffic and hardly any comments! Maybe I’m *gasp* boring!! My readers are bored. OMG. Okay. You can do this. Okay. A hook. Opening paragraph needs a hook. She says that the first few lines of your blog will be what shows up in searches. Okay.
Active voice. No passive voice. What is that??
Get up from computer and get the tablet. Sit down. Re-read active vs passive voice. Panic. How do I know??? Google Active vs Passive voice. Find some exercises. Still worried because I don’t recognize it yet. Perfect! Must. Be. Perfect.
Okay. No posts longer than how many words? Pictures. Humor. Gah!!!
Close blogging window and open Sims 3. Yeah, there we go. Play games for three hours.
Shampoo. Rinse. Repeat.
So here I am, trying to learn to write more better and to use active vs passive voice. I wonder if Margaret hires out as a tutor???
But seriously. Read the book. Read the blog. She is awesome. The analysis paralysis is strictly induced by my own little corner of insanity. Go. Read. I’ll wait. Get it on Kindle or Nook. Yay!
Hi Karen, I have wondered in the past when I read your blog more regularly why there were so few comments, because you write well and can be very entertaining (the latter being why I popped in again).
Based on the title of your blog, I always expected posts to do with menopause and was surprised at the variety of your posts, and therefore found the title misleading.
Perhaps that is why you get so few comments? People who enter your blog are probably expecting (more) posts related to menopause.
It seems to me that the title is not really right for your blog as it is far more varied than that.
Just MHO.
On a different note, if you ever want to dabble in fiction writing, after I read ‘Writing Fiction’ I finally got stuck into a novel after three previous abortive attempts over a period of a decade (I vetoed them all because I just didn’t know what I was doing.)
It’s based on a writing workshop held in NYC or online and it’s absolutely fabulous with many, many exercises and a bunch of authors contributing to different topics. Just noticed that it doesn’t even cost 10 bucks on Amazon! gotham writers workshop writing fiction is what you can find it under.
I finished writing a novel which is in the process of being proofread by two avid readers, resulting in plenty more work for me, but that is exactly what I was hoping for.
I’m sure you have a book (or two) in you too.
Hi Nicola! Good to hear from you again. I’ve enjoyed your comments; you are truly one of my greatest supporters. My own cheering section!
Thanks for the encouragement, and I am so happy to have you. I hadn’t thought about the title of my blog being misleading, I’ll have to think about that. I enjoy your observations and comments. I just purchased the book you mentioned on my Nook and I’m looking forward to reading it. I suffer from analysis paralysis whenever I put fingers to keyboard to try and write a story. I worry too much about technical perfection when I just need to let it pour out then go back and edit. Thanks and big hugs to you. 
That is exactly what stopped me from continuing with the three abortive attempts. I wrote something and then spent weeks and weeks editing it and then I got bored. I still rewrite a lot, but a long time after I’ve written it – one’s writing style changes over time – but that’s okay, and the book says so, but the book also suggests to keep on writing and only edit later. Some authors have 20 edits, no kidding. And then there’s the work that the proofreaders generate (if they’re good). If you ever need a proofreader, feel free to gauge me regarding availability.
You will love reading the Gotham book and doing the exercises. There will be many lightbulb moments, I guarantee it. Hugs back to you.
Hah! Just had to go from iPad to regular view to leave this comment. Could explain the stats somewhat. Could simply be me not getting the technology
The reason for this comment is to say pleeeease don’t change your writing style. Sorry for the adolescent torturing of please, but I really, really enjoy your blog. Sometimes I go back to posts as a tonic, and I can assure you it’s not the use of passive or active voice, but real voice that matters. There are more than enough blogs with that one-size-fits-all tone around. Please don’t start with the giveaways, endorsements and polite mentions. Pleeeeease.
Hi Toni, thanks for delurking!! I’m so glad to see that you are out there. Thank you so much for the encouraging words. You have no idea how much I appreciate that. I’m sorry to hear that the technology may be keeping people from commenting. Frankly, I had wondered if perhaps some setting was preventing people from easily leaving comments. I’d love to hear from you again, and I promise not to be cookie cutter or generic. I promise.
Hugs.
Pingback: Sticky Readers Now Available in More Formats and More Countries | Nanny Goats in Panties
Hi, Karen. Came over to see what you’d written about Margaret’s book, “Sticky Readers.” I loved it, too. It kicked my butt to write a post when I thought I had nothing to say. Thanks to her book I now know better. So you live in Northern California? I was born in SF and grew up on the Peninsula. Still have family up there.
Hi Jayne
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I just checked yours out — love it. Wonderful writing, even if we are on opposite sides of the political spectrum! 
I love SF and the bay area, truly one of my favorite places to visit in California. I live near Sacramento. I’m too far away from the coast for my taste, but at least it’s within a day’s drive.