In my last post, I talked about my five Must Haves for my writing space, those things I always have nearby when writing. I figured it was only fair to talk about some Must Not Haves.
Writers are notorious procrastinators. Anything new and shiny means something fun to play with instead of writing. Internet research turns into an hour of social media, scanning recipes on Pinterest, and laughing at cat videos. The amount of actual writing that gets done some days is minimal compared the amount of time spent avoiding writing.
There are some ways to help minimize distractions when it’s time to sit down and work. The problem is that most of these tips take self-discipline, something that is hard to come by some days. I freely admit that I am not always good about following my own rules. On days when the words are slow to come, checking Twitter or watching another episode of a show on Netflix is more fun than staring at a blank screen.
But in an effort to help myself as much as others, here are some important tips to keep your work space distraction free.
PUT THE PHONE AWAY
With the ease of one-click internet connection, texting, and social media apps, smart phones are a huge distraction for everyone. The desire to check text messages has become almost unconscious. I occasionally find myself on my phone before I even realize what I’m doing. I found it’s best to put the phone either on the charger or sometimes, even in another room. This way, I physically have to get up if I want to check something, and I can catch myself before falling into the smart phone trap.
INTERNET
Unless you are doing research, and you really should schedule separate times for research, keep off the internet during your writing time. It’s easy enough to say you’re going to only look up a scientific name for a medical condition, but ten minutes later, you’re watching cute baby animal videos. There are apps and programs that allow the user to set a timer to block the internet for a certain time period. This way, the user can’t mindlessly hop onto the internet.
MESSY FOOD
Most writers have a snack stash or certain foods they enjoy while writing. Having a snack while writing can momentarily distract from writing, but a little nibble here and there isn’t a big deal. The problem arises when the food is messy or requires the use of two hands to eat. Stick to small, easily handled foods. A barbeque sandwich or loaded nachos probably isn’t the best choice. Nothing like spilling sauce or cheese all over the keyboard.
FAMILY AND PETS
This is easier said than done, but when you have scheduled writing time, it’s best to isolate yourself from family and pets. Even occasional interruptions breaks the train of thought. Unless it’s an emergency, try to garner family support to respect your time alone to write. As for pets, if they sleep when in the room, that’s not a problem. But if you have a younger pet, or a particularly needy one who seeks attention, it’s best to find someone else to distract your furry friends while you write. My cat usually joins me during writing sessions, but he sleeps on my bed most of time. My problem with him in the room is that I find myself laughing at him snoring.
MULTIPLE PROJECTS
This might be a personal Must Not Have, but I’m sure I’m not alone. I am pretty good at multi-tasking at my day job. I can process a large variety of cases during the day without having to think too much about the different requirements. But when it comes to writing, I need focus. I’ve tried switching from one project to another after a set time period, but I found my mind wandering back to an idea from the previous project. Creativity gets stifled. It’s best for me to spend an hour or so focused on one piece, take a 15-20 minute break, and then switch to something else fi needed. This allows me to find a good stopping point (end of a chapter or complicated scene) and give my mind a chance to rest before starting something new.
** What are your biggest distractions when trying to get work done? How do you combat distractions in your work space?
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