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| Barbara Edwards with another family distratcion |
One of the biggest problems of any author is ignoring distractions and concentrating on writing. I’ve ben so guilty of doing ‘other’ things and pushing my writing to the back of my desk. Let me share a few.
I signed up for an on-line class on using Scrivener. I told myself I need to know how to use this really helpful writing tool. I did. And I do. the class was helpful in that I learned how to keep my efforts all in one handy area. Now I need to make some efforts.
Can you believe I went on Pinterest to do research? I had to ask my granddaughter how to use search, but it did work. I wanted photos of Afghanistan and found dozens that I had to search through. A time waster? Yes and no. I could have gone to the library for books, checked on google, or waited until I was ready to start my manuscript.
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| Lilies in my gaarden |
Another time hog? Email is one. I spend up to two hours a day deleting emails. Oh yeah. Is this necessary? Another yes and no. I have several loops that are for promo. I retweet, I share on Facebook, I comment on other blogs. This gets my name out there so when my books need promo it is reciprocated.
I did mention my husband had a medical problem this past winter. We’re still going to doctors on a regular basis and it cuts into my writing time like an axe. I have tried taking my laptop with me and writing, but the ‘other’ stuff takes over. I have used that time for the emails so it isn’t a total loss.
I use my gardening to push writing back. After all, those weeds don’t pull themselves out of the ground. Maybe the gardening is an okay distraction. It clears my mind. I plot as I work. And in the end I have the benefit of some pretty flowers.
What do you do that keeps you from your writing?
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13 comments:
The internet when my butt is in the chair. Oh, and the dog who wants to go in and out, in and out, in and...well, you get the idea.
When I hit a wall in writing, I go out and mow. I find I can think while seated on the rider for several hours.
Wonderful pics. Babies are the best distraction but I do like your day lilies.
Babies are the best distraction. Mine is coming from AZ today. (see me jumping up & down) Triberr (I have to read some of the posts), Facebook, email--they all are more interesting than writing. Your flowers are lovely. Good luck with writing.
Hi Jannine,
I have the same breed of dog. I get more exercise letting him in and out, too.
Hi JE,
Mowing wouldn't work for me. This place has a small yard so it takes very little time, while the garden is expanding.
Hi Diane,
Aren't they great? Mine are old enough to take on day trips. Oops, another distraction.But worthwhile.
Read a book, clean the house, prune fruit trees, buy a new plant, go golfing...the list goes on. It's the sitting that kills me...I read that standing up at the computer is 10% more productive and healthier on average...my brother, who writes non-fiction has a gizmo that allows him to stand up or sit down. I'm thinking of getting one of those. P.S. I have two robots (Roomba's) cleaning my house and I can always hire out the weeding/pruning. There are ways to be a more dutiful writer, that's for sure!
Ah distractions...where do I begin? Most of those you mentioned are mine too. Except for the new baby and the dog...so far! Butt in the chair is the best remedy. I also have a desk that attaches to my treadmill. No more excuses, right? Oh beautiful baby, BTW and flowers. Wish I could grow them like that.
Awwww, what an adorable little distraction. How can you resist? My distractions are pretty much the same as many authors, email, Facebook, other duties. (Then there's the day job and editing and promo and contest coordinating and family, etc, etc). Lovely pictures!
I think we all have our share of distractions. For us right now it's medical and texting the grandkids...and figuring out what their text shorthand means. Promo and Facebook are my biggest time wasters. I'm working on being a better writer. Old habits are hard to break. I need to keep improving and that can be stressful when it's so much easier and enjoyable to write the way I want. I think I'd rather hold your baby just so I could smile the kind of winning smile you've got going on in that picture. Lovely flowers, too.
I hear you, Barbara! The family distractions are always a challenge. It's hard to say "no time" to them, especially in the summer. Great blog!
Yes, distractions are many. Heat distracts me. I just can't think when I'm hot. Email and promo are distractions from writing, but darn it, we have to do it.
Adorable photo of you and the baby, Barbara! I can't see how a newborn could NOT be a distraction...for anyone! (I hope I didn't have too many negatives in that sentence! You know what I mean...right?)
For myself, email too is a huge time suck. I tried to scan through it on my phone during the day, but if I have to respond, it takes time, and that has to wait until I'm home. (There's only so much time I can spend staring at my phone while at my desk in my "day job"!) Same with reading/posting on others' blogs. And doing cute image/quote meme things. And my new kitten. :-)
Glad you learned some great tips on Scrivner. I use it but am only using about a tenth of its features, I'll bet. I should take a class...
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