Friday 24 October 2014

Keep Going Shell and Imposter Syndrome

Sorry – it’s another fishy one, but bear with me – there’s a writerly bit at the end!

This is another rare find on the beach. I always thought it was some sort of extra-large cockle. Whenever we found one, we’d yell, “I’ve found a Shell shell!”



Interesting fact: Shell’s original logo was a mussel.

Well, my extra-large cockle is a Pecten (scallop).  Pecten is from the Roman meaning comb or rake. You can see why it was so called.

Here’s another interesting fact: Scallops have up to 100 bright blue eyes around the edges of the two mantles.

They really are fascinating creatures and you can read more about them here.

Meanwhile, back on the beach we found this.



Big fellow isn’t he? That’s my size six foot in the photo to give some perspective. The tide was almost in, so he must have been there all night, poor thing.

I had never heard of Barrel Jellyfish until I did a bit of research. They’re more likely to be found in the Irish sea, but apparently earlier this year they fetched up round the Cornish coast. They are harmless, peaceful creatures and a favourite food of the Leatherback Turtle.

You know what all this is don’t you? Procrastination. I’ve rag dolls and dresses to make and stories to write, but I’m baking desserts and writing about sea life.

But here’s an article which may be of interest to you writers, “Why Writers are the Worst Procrastinators.”  Actually I think we are the best procrastinators. No one does it better.

It’s a very good article all the same and I really identify with Imposter Syndrome (fear of being found out as incompetent). I know a lot of other writers who feel the same - just waiting for that moment when someone points at you and says, "Hang on a minute, you're not a writer, you're just... you!"


So to distract you from my incompetency, here’s a picture of Naughty and Naughtier during a rare moment of restfulness (note who gets the cushion - the boss of course!).






35 comments:

  1. Sound to me as though you have been very busy. I always think that when I'm not writing, I'm give my mind time to clear itself so fresh ideas have room to get in. :-)

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    1. What a lovely way of looking at it, Paula! :-) x

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  2. How lovely that quite a few writers (thank you for the link, Teresa) have shared lately that they procrstinate profusely! So comforting and made me feel a lot less guilty! Ooh it's gone really dark, it's pouring with rain so a good book (research of course), the fireside and a cuppa beckon. Guilt free - Woohoo!! Gorgeous picture of the Boss and Dusty :o) xx

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    1. I didn't even notice, Sue and that's the truth :-) A cuppa and a good book sound perfect :-) x

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  4. Now I'm trying to imagine what spectacles for a one hundred eyed scallop would look like and I'll procrastinate while I do this.

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    1. Now I'm worrying about short-sighted scallops. Not enough ears. They'd have to wear contact lenses, but without hands, how would they put them in? It's a minefield :-) x

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  5. I do hope they find a cure for Imposter Syndrome soon as mine's driving me nuts!
    That Barrel Jellyfish is HUGE. I wonder if he was procrastinating. :-)
    Lovely picture of N & N. x


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    1. It seems to get worse and worse - a cure would be grand :-) x

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  6. Procrastination is the thief of time. How true!

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  7. Oh dear. That's just what I'm doing now. Procrastinating

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  8. Seeing your foot next to that jellyfish I now realise how big it is!

    Love the 'restful' picture, Teresa. :-)

    My excuse for procrastination is: I may not look like I'm doing anything, but my brain is working- honest. :D

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  9. Hi Teresa,

    No, you are not imagining this! Hello and oops. Had to reread what you wrote. Oh, you wrote an " extra-large cockle." :)

    I'm heading off to the Procrastination workshop. Nah, maybe tomorrow, or the next day, or.....

    Nice one, Teresa.

    Gary :) x

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    1. Ha ha well someone had to say it, Gary :-) x

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  10. I think you're right about writers being good procrastinators. As for the imposter thing, I suspect it's because basically we make it all up. Do that in most other fields and sooner or later you'll get caught out but somehow, up until now at least, writers have been getting away with it.

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  11. I have a book to read, a story to write, some crochet squares to finish, but I'm here procrastinating. The only thing I can get on with without any procrastination at all is, wait for it, the housework!! If that isn't done, then I can't do anything else. I did, of course, do that earlier on this morning!

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    1. I'm afraid I even procrastinate myself away from housework these days, Maggie. I'm so very good at it x

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  12. I've convinced myself that procrastinating is a part of the writing process. While checking my emails for the millionth time, that eureka moment is bound to arrive and set me off in the right direction.

    Thanks for the link to this lovely article - fascinating reading and definitely not part of this morning's procrastination process at all.

    Lovely pictures, Teresa. Those beautiful shells are my favourite kind. I didn't know they were scallop shells and I've only ever found one that was complete. xx

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    1. I'm glad it wasn't just me that didn't know they were scallops, Joanna :-) Complete ones are very rare aren't they x

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  13. Love those photos of sea life, Teresa, and reading about them here. As for procrastinating - I'm one of the best at that!

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    1. Thank you, Rosemary. Perhaps we need a Procrastination Support Group :-) x

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  14. I used to get imposter syndrome when I was a teacher too - I've learnt to ignore it now.

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    1. Glad you ignore it, Wendy. I didn't realise it was something teachers would get! x

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  15. It's that gremlin on our shoulder that gives us imposter syndrome. Push it off and the words will flow! (Says she who finds it so difficult to do herself ...)

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    1. Oh yes, he does sit on the shoulder doesn't he, Sally. Annoying little creature :-) x

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  16. Lovely pictures, Teresa, and naughty and naughtier can be as naughty as they like, because they're so cute........ xxxxx

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    1. Yes, I love them being naughty - it's when they're not naughty I worry as it means something is wrong x

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  17. Oh, I think I would spend a lot of time procrastinating if a beautiful beach was on my doorstep. Unfortunately, the nearest one is a four hour drive away. No excuses for me then. Doh!

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    1. Sometimes it's cold and inhospitable and when it's being really mean, I wish I was four hours away, Nicola, but on good days I wouldn't want to be far from it :-) x

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  18. Love the Scallop shells and all things beachified but oh, how I can empathise with that article! I like to think that by walking down the garden just to see whether that is a leaf or a piece of paper blowing across the grass, getting the chores done and walking the dogs, I am winning the right to sit down and write and not just putting off the moment. Yes, I know that imposter feeling too - we are a sorry lot then eh? ;-)

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    1. It does feel like a right we have to earn doesn't it :-) x

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