I'm learning so fast at the moment. Today I've been working on that cover art sheet. And a new philosophy of time spending. You see, I think the amount of time you spending on non-writing writing-related work breaks down into 5 classifications.

I've explored them for cover art sheets, but they could apply to many tasks...

Lazy
Yes, we all know you'd rather be writing the latest sex scene (oh yeah... oh baby). Hell, you'd rather count commas or check how many times the word, "but" appears in your MS. But, "somewhere in England," is not a suitable location detail. Nor is tall dark and handsome a usable description. Particularly when it's in the 'heroine' box.

Rushed
So you've answered all the questions, but you've still spelled rugged with three gees, and inserted a picture of your last car accident, instead of a tropical beach scene. Could Do Better.

Goldilocks
This is the professional ideal. Just enough time, but not too much. A few pictures, some good scene suggestions for cover inspiration. But not a character family tree, or an explanation of how the villain comes to have the Hapsburg jaw. Juuuuuuuust right.

Apple for Teacher
You tell yourself a little more tweaking of description in the scene suggestions would be good. Maybe a few more urls. Five photos of the house will surely give a better impression than just one, right? Before you know it you're serving buttermilk scones on paper doillies, and then there's no help for you.

Neurotic
Give it up already. No one wants to know how many nose hairs your hero has. Or what's your heroine's favourite flower. Unless she uses it to beat the villain to death, that is. When they asked for a key landscape, they did not need to know a complete geomorphology! Step away from the computer. Now.

No prizes for guessing which classification I fell under today, folks.