I-OCD, or Inbox Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Writer’s Malady

As many of you know, the manuscript of my novel is currently on review by several agents, along with reams of manuscripts from all the other hopeful writers. While I am waiting for one of these busy, dedicated professionals to read my work, I have been afflicted with a dangerous disorder, I-OCD, or Inbox Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Today, in place of a Teaser Tuesday, please allow me to share what it’s like to suffer from this illness.

7:30 AM – Wake up. Immediately check iPhone to see if agent has called or emailed.

7:30 – 8:30 AM – Get ready for work with iPhone nearby

8:30 – 8:40 AM – Check email again. What if some well meaning agent’s email got snagged in my spam net? Write to fellow AWers to commiserate at lack of news.

8:40 – 8:50 AM – Drive to work through an obstacle course of buses, messenger bikes, and pot holes

8:50 – 9:00 AM – Steal a parking space from the auto shop across the street that thinks they own the street; high five self for a damned fine parallel parking job while under the steely gaze of said mechanics.

9:00 – 6:00 PM – Work like a fiend while eyeing iPhone every ten minutes wishing the thing would ring already. Wonder if I gave out my correct contact information. Pick up ringing phone and snarl at telemarketer ignoring the “Do Not Call” list.

6:00 – 6:10 PM – Drive home through reverse obstacle course, except now dodging homeless on dark street to get to car in aforementioned prime location.

6:10 – 7:00 PM – Give in to craze to check all three email accounts and spam boxes. Fight urge to send more queries just to make something happen.

7:00 – 12:00 AM – Head to 24-hour Starbucks to get some writing done. Fail miserably when caving to desire to check email every 10 minutes. Put iPhone in backpack to avoid lure of blank, black stare. Worry ring can’t be heard from backpack and take back out. Try to write. Wonder why the hell I signed up for NanoWriMo. Give up on writing and try to outline. Give up on outlining and check email again. Play with iTunes. Finally get some writing done. Check email one last time, knowing New York agents have been in bed for hours and couldn’t possibly have emailed.

12:00 – 12:20 AM – Drive home. Curse three other Mini Cooper drivers who wrangle for parking on street. Forget to check which side of the street has street cleaning tomorrow. Remember two tickets received for forgetting to move car. Run back to check sign and move car. Curse under breath.

12:20 – 1:00 AM – Get ready for bed, update Nano count. Check email one final time. Dream of being a published writer.

Feel my pain.

How are the rest of you dealing with your I-OCD?