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This month's optional question: How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?
I'm definitely someone who gets distracted easily when I'm writing. Do you know that feeling when you sit down to write but you're pretty much doing everything BUT writing? You're listening to music for inspiration, mapping character arcs, reading writing books or blogs, watching writing videos, tweeting about writing (when I used to do that...), but not, you know, actually writing the words? That's always been me (when I was actively writing, at least). It's almost like I was always getting ready to write, but had a hard time actually getting a word count on most days.
There are also those times that I will avoid the dishes all day but once I sit down to write suddenly I feel like it needs to be done now! If writers love writing, why does it always seem like we're trying to avoid it?
I don't really have an answer. I don't think distractions are my biggest enemy. I struggle with time, energy, and inspiration. I also have a hard time forcing myself to write unless the sentence seems perfect in my head first. I spend a lot of time staring at the blank screen instead of just putting something there and getting on with it. I guess that means I'm distracted by my own perfectionism? I need to learn to just get the words down and fix it later. Writing some crappy words is better than writing no words.
So, about the whole "actively writing" thing...I kinda...sorta...am?? I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but for some reason lately I couldn't stop thinking about a particular story idea I came up with a few years ago. And by a few, I mean seven. I initially called it Shiny New Story, since it was a brand new idea distracting me from what I was supposed to be working on. And, well...I still call it that, even though it's definitely not new anymore. But I do think I could once again classify it as Shiny!
I started reading what I had written for it, and well...I started writing it again. I had a lot of little snippets scattered throughout the book, so I just started a new document and I'm working on Chapter One right now. It's a little slow going (because of the aforementioned perfectionism...) but I want to keep pushing myself to work on it as much as I can so I don't lose that inspiration.
Hopefully I can stay on the shiny path for the foreseeable future.
May the old shiny idea keep pouring out!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that you're working on a new project that's keeping you motivated. Maybe writing for shorter periods of time would help with the distractions. I think I'd struggle with distractions more if I was trying to write for long periods of time each day.
ReplyDeleteHi, Sarah! I'm wishing you lots of words as you tackle Shiny! I can totally relate to your distractions as you write. And perfectionism ~ OMG! It is the bane of my existence in everything I do. Keep pushing and hanging on to that inspiration!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, a 'Shiny' how awesome. Wishing you all the words to keeping it going as long as it needs to. Get that first draft down, it's going to be awesome.
ReplyDeleteWriting crappy words *is* better than writing no words. At least that's what I tell myself when I'm trying to finish a draft. :)
ReplyDeleteQuietly rooting for you and the Shiny Story!
Its true that distractions really don't matter but time, energy& inspiration are the tricky parts. I realised that as I long as I don't pay micrscopic attention&keep writing focusing on a word count, its all cool. I read your profile and its so cool you started writing at eight. I used to write limericks when I'm eight and I'm learning to actually write now that I'm 14. Have a nice day
ReplyDeleteTime and energy are my biggest hurdles to overcome more so than distractions.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful when a shiny idea stays in your head and demands attention. Such projects are the best.
ReplyDeleteEverything Shiny is New Again. Peer pressure works with me on staying focused. My writer group back in the States would have us write our goals down for the month down (not including research) and it worked. No one wanted to be a slacker.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Yay for the return of the Shiny idea's shininess (that word looks weird). I hope the words keep flowing. That's awesome.
ReplyDeleteI hope the shiny stays shiny for you for a good long while! @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
so glad you are writing again! perfectionism is a lofty goal, so I’m glad you are able to be inspired and find time to get those sentences down! time seems to be the biggest obstacle with inspiration a close second for me too!
ReplyDeleteKeep at it!
Tara Tyler Talks