There’s only one person who needs a glass of water oftener than a small child tucked in for the night, and that’s a writer sitting down to write. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic’s Notebook, 1966
Today, I’m caught up with my paperwork so my plan is to spend at least four hours working on my creative writing. I have a poem to rewrite, some submissions to send out and a chapter to outline. If I sat down and did four solid hours of writing I would accomplish a lot…but this quote spoke to me. First I’d need some coffee than 14 minutes into my writing I will notice my pencils need sharpening, oh and I really should organize my writing books, perhaps a little filing would clear my mind and then I should have eaten more at breakfast I will wander out to the kitchen for a snack or another cup of coffee. How do you let distractions from keeping you from writing?
I use a timer. Using a timer can keep you focused and help you accomplish short goals. I’ll set the timer for thirty minutes to work on my poem. After the thirty minutes is over, I can take a 10-minute break timed of course or set the timer for my next task. Using the timer can keep me accountable and avoid hours of mindless web surfing. I can decide to spend thirty minutes on mindless web surfing and use that as a reward when I’m done my real work. How do you deal with writing distractions? Today, try the timer method and let me know what you think. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag