Guilty little writing secret — Confessions of a Chronic Binge Writer

Self Doubt just asked: Does this post need a trigger warning?

I think it might — so consider yourself warned.

Binging anything is problematic, and somewhere, at some stage in life, there’s a pain point that needs to be dealt with — most likely with professional help.

But today I’m talking about a rather different form of excess, a writing habit hygiene — specifically, binge writing. With only a mild degree of shame (which is quickly being replaced with some radical pride), I’m dragging it out of the darkness and into the light for inspection, assessment and some good old fashioned forgiveness.

My guilty little secret got uncomfortably and forcibly revealed while working full time as a writer when I was also simultaneously running my writing business on the side. It was hard, but not for obvious reasons. It wasn’t to do with workload — I’m pretty sure I’m a competent writer, and I can cope with having a lot on my plate: handling complete chaos with aplomb is one of my top 3 life skills.

I know I can do a lot and that’s why I take more on. I recently (re)wrote a 5000 word article on the future of supply chains in a few days flat. It was extremely technical and the process to get there was laborious, soul destroying and completely…