You’ve heard of distracted driving, right? Cell phones, road signs, ankle-biters bug-tussling in the back seat, other distracted drivers distracting your driving—we’ve all experienced it—but hopefully not on the wrong side of a citation or accident.
Today, keeping in mind all of the above, consider the distractions that keep you from deep-diving into your current WIP, that germ of a story that grabbed your attention awhile back, but now is drowning in . . . life, real life.
What are the top five distractions affecting your writing productivity? Those pesky things that require your attention, but in the process of “attending”, dilute your enthusiasm for the project and cut into your in-the-zone time?
For me, at this time, it’s caring for my elderly father. It’s an honor for me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way, but it usually takes me awhile to shift from the Dad gear to the story gear.
How about you? How do you handle the “life stuff” that’s part of your story, but not part of the story you’re writing?
Are you good at setting it aside? Compartmentalizing? (Both of which I am seriously not good at . . .)
TKZers, jump right in with your tips and tricks!
Good topic & I’m looking forward to hearing people’s tips & tricks. My hey-day of focus and concentration seems to have been in my 30’s & 40’s. The 50’s have been a challenge re: staying focused on my writing. Having MUCH less physical energy than a couple of decades ago is a huge factor. The never-ending work/chore cycle, and of course life in general is just more distracting than it used to be. The “Squirrel!” ways of society has had much more impact on me than I’d like.
And funny this is the topic of today’s post because I was talking with someone today about another distraction from writing–webinars and online information to TALK about writing. LOL!!!!!! The writing community is so giving of their time and talents, whether it’s blogs or weekend webinars — it’s hard not to fall into the rabbit hole of learning about writing rather than being focused on your writing.
My last super-focused period of writing life was over 15 years ago. I long to fall into another phase like that.
And writing isn’t my only creative outlet. I love drawing and painting and want to learn to make stuff with leather, etc.
But bottom line is, the responsibility is on me. I’m either going to cut the distractions and get the writing done, or goof around & not accomplish half of what I want to. The question is how much regret am I willing to live with as I get up in years. I’ve got a ton of book ideas I want to do and have only done a few of them. I’m looking forward to the upcoming holidays to have more down time to focus on my writing.
Morning, Brenda…
But bottom line is, the responsibility is on me. I’m either going to cut the distractions and get the writing done, or goof around & not accomplish half of what I want to. The question is how much regret am I willing to live with as I get up in years. I’ve got a ton of book ideas I want to do and have only done a few of them. This.
I hear ya, and this speaks to me, too. But, I have a question.
What is a never-ending work/chore cycle…? Ha! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, and have an in-the-zone day, my friend!
Deb, your timing is perfect. I’ve been going through a long stretch of distractions due to stuff breaking down around this old house. Repair estimates, scheduling contractors, picking up supplies, taking back unneeded supplies, workers either not showing up or showing up earlier than expected, blah, blah, blah.
At the same time, new clients who want editing work are contacting me (yaay!), writing pals who need beta reads, and surprise invitations to teach. All those are wonderful but require hours of time.
A new story is flitting around the edges of my mind but it needs to percolate more. Right now, I don’t have the concentration or extra energy to start writing it.
As Brenda says, energy ain’t what it used to be. Mine went on extended leave in 2021 and hasn’t returned.
I just have to resign myself to the fact that I can only accomplish so much during a day. I must focus on high-priority tasks and meet commitments to others.
Good on you for taking care of your dad. That’s a major commitment and he’s lucky to have a devoted daughter.
Hi Debbie,
I have one of those percolators going right now, too. It’s on 24/7. I think the story that’s brewing (IMHO) is a great concept. What I need to do, I guess, is schedule the brewing for a time when my brain isn’t trying to figure out 4 or 5 other puzzles. One of them is my Dad’s current insurance situation. Oy! It used to be so simple. 🙂
Thanks for the input, and I hope you have a great weekend.
Unless you are on a contracted deadline, it’s okay, sometimes, to put the writing aside when life becomes too complicated. Heck, if your parent is dying or you have cancer, it’s okay if you ask for a change in deadline on that contract. Consider this your permission to take a break to save your sanity and concentrate on real life.
Hi Marilyn!
Will you be my new best friend?
Consider this your permission to take a break to save your sanity and concentrate on real life. Every writer needs to have that on their office whiteboard.
Thank you, thank you, thank you…
Have a wonderful weekend!
Distractions abound. My husband retired and is around the house now. He does a lot of honey-dos, which is nice, but he feels they should be done on his time. Which means if he wants to spray for bugs and shut the yowling cat into my office while he does it, he will. And then spray in my office–while I’m trying to write. He’s also the computer guru and will reset the Internet when I’m in the middle of a scene without notice. Then there’s the cancer clinical trial appointments, endless tests, and the endless waits for test results. My daughter and 3 grandkids lives far away and she calls & texts me everyday–I love this so much, but still it is a distraction. I love playing with the one grandchild I have locally, but still a distraction. Life is one big distraction. However, I don’t want them to put on my tombstone: “She chose writing over loving her family.” Finding a balance is a challenge everyday. But I’m so blessed to be here still I gladly take it on.
Hi Kelly…
…She chose writing over loving her family.
Heaven forbid! It really sounds like you would take the Distractions Oscar, my friend. Having worked at a cancer treatment facility for 15 years, I understand what “endless waits” are.
Thanks for illustrating for me (us) the balance you speak of. As I say to my children often, usually when watching them wrangle their own children, Go forth and conquer!
Bless you…
Your father is fortunate to have you as his daughter, Deb. With Veterans’ Day coming up, give him our thanks for his service, and blessings to you for yours.
This year was full of distractions because of our moving from one home to another. Making the arrangements, putting the old house on the market, packing, moving, settling in, learning about our new surroundings and getting involved in the community. Lots to do, but I’m grateful to have TKZ as a bi-weekly post which forces me to think of a new subject and write about it.
Things have settled down a bit, so I can get back to the usual distractions. 🙂
Thank you, Kay. I’ve never thought of what I do for Dad as “service”, but I guess it is.
Moving…Oy! Haven’t had to do that for these last almost 38 years. My husband and I tell our kids we’re never moving again…just throw us anywhere on our land. That’ll do–we won’t be offended! 🙂
I feel the same about TKZ–keeps my mind engaged.
Have a good one!
Deb, how blessed both you and your father are that you can care for him and, in doing so, form a deeper, richer connection.
There were times during my recent cancer journey when I could see it not as a distraction, but as motivation to get stronger sooner so that I could return to my writing with a new understanding of life and fresh inspiration. Maybe you can shift your brain so you see that you’re creating new memories and gaining knowledge that will inspire your writing forever.
Best wishes to you and your father, Deb.
Hi Suzanne…
Thank you! Another viewpoint to savor over the coming days. And you have just proven to me, once again, a truth I learned during my 15 years working in a local oncology practice. Which is: If you want to be encouraged, talk to a cancer patient. They know what’s important.
Thanks for your comments, and have a wonderful weekend.