Yes, in one form or another, we have all experienced this--it's more severe in some of us than others, but no matter when or where it strikes, it has the same incapacitating effect - we end up not doing what we're supposed to be doing: writing!
I think you know what I am referring to here? Uh huh... Distractions!
Unfortunately, for me, unless I unplug my internet while I write (which I am seriously considering doing), it's my number one distraction. I always justify it by telling myself what I am actually doing when I pause in the middle of my MS to google something very important is research. And even though I end up reading blogs instead, it's okay. Because this is relatively new to me, and there's such a wealth of information out there, and I have to learn, right?
Wrong! Well, not completely :)
Yes, we need to research, but there is a time and place for everything. May I suggest writing down what it is you want to know on your handy dandy post-it sticky, and come back to it later during your free time (this is clearly advice I need to follow myself). Just keep writing even if you need some more information for the scene. Because once you stop, there's no telling when you will go back and what frame of mind you will be in.
While internet is the biggest one for me, there's also books, television, people, food and other. There is so much more that falls into that other category. I find I get the most easily distracted when I'm procrastinating (see the segue ;) )
Now it's sharing time. What are some of your distractions and how easy is it for them to pull you away from what you are supposed to be doing?
8 comments:
Oh, distractions. *hits head on desk* If there weren't so many, I'd get a lot more writing done! Let's see....blogger, Bransforums, my email, blogger, blogger.
I've gotten to the point where I steel myself to just write. After fighting with myself for a few minutes, I get in "the zone". I don't know how long I will be there, but everything gets blocked out. As soon as I snap out if though, I on blogger, Bransforums, emails. It's a crazy cycle I tell ya'!
~JD
Hey there! Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. I appreciate that.
You have a great post here and let me tell you, I have distractions galore! six to be exact. Five little ones ranging from 3 to 14 and one big one who pays for my writing addiction! =)
It's too easy to let things distract from writing and I've found the best thing to do is find your niche and then stick to it. Easier said than done, of course.
Distractions!!! All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Can you see where I'm headed with this?
Distractions are everywhere and at the end of the day I blame them if I didn't reach my writing goals. One distraction that I do appreciate is a blog like yours. I'm new to the blogashphere and I'm learning so much from my fellow writers.
Thanks for showing me that I'm not alone.
Ah distractions. I can find distractions in anything. I need to make a drink of tea, I need to eat, I need to check a passage in a book. Also blogging is a distraction. But I think of it as a fun/educational.inspirational distraction. :)
The type of music I listen to is a huge distraction. I need to listen to mellow music or I won't get anything done. If I listen to music that I want to get up and dance to or sing to then we have a problem. :-D
You are my new distraction!!! Well at least for the moment since I've now found you... a new blogger to me, hehe. I should writing but instead I'm blog hopping and I spotted your blog title (which is the bestest!) and just had to stop by!
My distraction is blogger.com, it's so addictive I can't help myself. I've learned that I have to leave my house and walk down to the park area close by where there is no INTERNET! Isn't that crazy?!?
Maybe I'm just stupid. But sometimes, the music that I listen to as I write distracts me, yet a lot of the time I hate to write without it so I just keep playing it! When that happens, it can take me up to half an hour to get some quality work done. /:
Justine - Thanks so much for sharing! I've been bitten by the blogger bug too!
Melissa C. - You're very welcome. Your distractions sound very sweet. And yes, not becoming distracted is much easier said than done :).
Chris - You don't need to say it twice to convince ME! :D Thank you very much for your kind words. I agree with you - I've learned so much in a short period of time, and it's mostly thanks to the blogosphere.
Lindsay - I can completely relate to that. Blogging is a great distraction ;)
Melissa - You're very welcome :). Ahhh - that might be a good thing though. Sometimes you get inspired while doing the most unexpected things.
Jen - Welcome! Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting and complimenting :D And no, not crazy - I have the same thing with the waterfront near my house - I desperately need to do something about my internet distraction ;)
Amanda - Of course you're not stupid, just distracted with the best of us :D. I hear you though. I've heard that if you try playing the type of music that you can actually hear in your scenes, it helps! I've never tried it, but it may be worth a shot :)
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