Yesterday I had no problem writing. I was able to write two thousand words in a little over an hour. It felt good to finally be getting back into the grove of things. It's amazing how your attitude can really affect your writing. One little thing happening during the day can change how you feel when you write. Which, in turn, is translated to the page.
I used to think that having the desire to write was enough. It's not. I have the desire everyday to hone my craft, but that doesn't always translate to the page. Although I am still writing every day, I am also getting easily distracted. (If you've been following me on twitter, you know)
One of the hardest things to do is to turn off those distractions. I love social networking, always have. But there comes a point when you have to let Facebook go and turn your attention on what matters more.
The past few days my writing has gone something like this:
The wind gathered around them, flying in circles and lifting her fingers until she felt she could fly... Oh man, did someone really just say that? I have to give them my opinion. Oh, writing, yes, back to writing... She held onto that feeling, but soon the wind became intense... Yes! I got a new e-mail!
Well, you get the drift. So how did I get over my short attention span and hunger for social media? I turned off the internet. It was the only way. Every time I was tempted to hit that cute little fox curled around the globe, I couldn't - there would be no internet to welcome me.
I didn't just turn it off through my computer either, my modem had to be shut down. Otherwise I'd be hooked up again with just a few clicks. I'm trying this for the next few days as way to train myself to leave the lovely, glowing, internet behind and get back to work!
How about you? What keeps you from getting things done? Share your tricks and tips so we can all learn how to be more productive.
Also, the lovely Catlin Vincent gave me the versatile blogger award! A sincere thank you to her! Check out her blog if have a chance, it's a party over there!
13 comments:
LOL. I can totally relate. These past few days I've been easily distracted--between blogging, twitter, trying to figure out what to make for dinner, potty training my kid, and oh my, I have to write?! Sounds like a good idea to unplug every now and then.
Did you really write 2k words in less than an hour? Wow, I'm impressed. I only managed to spew out 1200 words yesterday...in the space of 3 hours!! Yeah, my muse was not kind to me. :(
It's very rare that I'm that fast, but when you feel it, you feel it!
I totally understand writing that little as well, especially with potty training! Good luck with that!
I loved reading your blog Jen! It was very interesting to read, and I found I could relate to the content. You put across a valuable point. It is certainly extremely easy to be distracted from your art, whether it be your favourite television programme, surfing on the internet, or just your friends coming around to visit you at the wrong time, or even a phone call. I like your solution for the social networking situation. However, sometimes it is cool to have the internet available when writing, as you can always surf the online dictionary and thesaurus, when you get stuck on find the right words to describe something. Then again, you can always use the book versions, if you found yourself straying. My main passion is writing poetry. But I sometimes find that your emotional state can also be a constant distraction to you, when trying to be creative. If you are feeling down, or like you say, your day starts badly, it can throw you off your mojo. I find I write better, when I am happy or inspired by others. Thank you for sharing this fine piece of literature with us! Lots Of Love and Respect, Paul OXOXOXOXOXOXO
I get distracted too easily as well. By the internet, by the phone...the cats... While turning off the internet sounds like a great idea, I would have the rest of my family coming after me with pitchforks and torches. :D
One thing I have started doing to avoid the distraction of the shiny internet is to do my writing and revisions by hand. I have a notebook, pencil, thesaurus and dictionary at the ready! I close myself off in my room and don't even turn on my computer.
Now I just have to get back into my groove. Good post!
Love your blog! Following you back :)
I have to do this as well. Turning off the net is the only way I can write uninterrupted. All this social media is so distracting *sigh* Thank you so much for visiting my blog and your lovely comment x
I sometimes crave the quiet after I have been on-line a little too much. I love hearing my OWN thoughts sometimes and I have to get to that point to move on.
I'm impressed with your self-discipline. Great job! I hope the book is coming along. I really admire your drive and desire.
You like to write, I like to read. When I get into a book, I just cannot put it down! That can keep me from tackling my "to-do" list because I keep saying just one more chapter.. five chapters later =].
I was going to say exactly what Caledonia said above: I have to be away from the computer, and write it on paper, if I know I'm running on a short attention span, or if twitter or facebook are suddenly more interesting than usual.
I'm constantly heading off on tangents. I have to refocus all the time. I have a little mantra that I say to get myself to stay on task. I won't share the mantra (somewhat embarrassing!) but it always does the trick... try it? x
I hate to admit that I would find this really difficult, but I would really like to get to a point where I was writing every day. It's probably something I should do. It's definitely something I don't want to do, however.
I went to the public library the other week for a few hours. Although I had my laptop, I didn't get a WIFI password, so even when I was tempted to log on, I couldn't. I think it's the only way for me.
Good for you writing everyday (or thereabouts). That's what I'm aiming for too.
Oh I hear you on this! So much of my writing time seems to disappear into cyberspace...
Thanks for Rewinding at the Fibro.
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