I was excited to get home from work today to write a post for the Insecure Writers Support Group and it happened. I got distracted.
I have been pretty focused lately. I survived the A to Z challenge with confidence and the accomplishment really motived me to get going this week on outlining my novel. It is May 2 and I got distracted.
I only have a few hours per day to write. If I enjoy sleeping, which I do, I can get in about 2-4 hour per day. Maybe another 1 or 2 at work if my boss is away from the office (don’t tell her).
I get home and I am all set to write a quick post and then tackle my outline. I turn on the t.v. for background noise. And, there is a Woody Allen Movie. Manhattan Murder Mystery. Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Alan Alda and Manhattan.
I love this movie. In fact, I love all Woody Allen movies. Especially the ones that take place in Manhattan. Something about the way he shoots Manhattan.
Then, it got me thinking. What excuses, if any, are good excuses to interrupt the pursuit of my dream.
Sure there are the easy ones; death and injury – to myself or a loved one. Work obligation – But, not really. I run a golf Academy. Not to many golf instruction emergencies that I can think of.
I have compiled a list of things that I will allow to distract me from my scheduled writing for the day?
- Woody Allen Movies – They inspire me, so that is a good thing.
- The opportunity to have a great steak with cream corn, broccoli au gratin, and a green salad with red onions and homemade ranch dressing – I am specific about my food.
- A phone call from my mother or my cousin – I miss them.
- A Stephen King Book – but, this inspires me,too. I have put off starting 11/22/63 until after June.
- A quick read of my favorite blogs – again, that inspiration thing.
And, with that, I think I better close down this list because it could go on forever. If I stick to this list, then I should have plenty of time left over to get my writing done.
So, my fellow writer out there, how do you handle distractions? What do you do to stay on schedule?
And, what would you put on your good excuse list?
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 
TV is my great distractor; I should say Netflix. My boyfriend and I love series. This post is timely-just yesterday him and I set boundaries for how much TV we should watch as it’s been distracting us from our goals. Relationships are my most accepted excuse. So are social gatherings. I spent too much of my YA years being a hermit and now compulsively attend as many “social outings” as possible. Great post!
I should add social gatherings. I can’t get in my own world here a little to much.
After moving to Abu Dhabi, I must admit, I haven’t been handling distractions very well. I haven’t been writing (or blogging) like I’d like to. The A to Z challenge helped me get back focused on blogging, now I need to get back to writing.
On my good excuse list? Any movie/tv show with Adam Rodriguez or Laz Alonso. I think the reason is self explanatory. Lol
Rae, don’t get me started on the male distractions. Well, since you started it; David Beckham, Bradley Cooper, Will Smith and Michael Voltaggio
I have some strange mental block that I can’t write in my study upstairs unless it’s a lazy Saturday. The odds of having zero commitments for one weekend day are pretty slim, so I’m not too successful writing at home. As a result, I try to get some time in at work as well.
I guess this means I’m still trying to find a good “schedule” and have a real problem with distractions. Especially ones at home (my comfy bed, dishes in the sink, laundry to fold, lawn to mow… it’s never ending!).
Tricia, I wish I had a study or office at home. I think I would get so much more done, but I currently live in a one room hotel room. I could invest in some dividers and make myself a cubicle. I will have to look into that.
is the wind blowing? Then I’m distracted. 🙂
-MJ here from the support group
I keep my promises to myself. I give myself only one day to blog. That includes reading and commenting. Then I make sure I write when I say I am. I’m lucky though. I have all the time in the world.
Nancy, I wish I had all the time in the world. My favorite fantasy (distraction) is that I win the lottery and buy a remote island and have all the time in the world to do what I want to do.
I used to do this all the time; I would put the T.V on and flip to the movie channel, I prefer this to listening to music, but then a good movie would come on and I’d end up watching it instead. So now I have a schedule written down, set times, ish, for doing certain things, and it works! No movies before 4pm!
I might have to have a no movie policy until the weekend when I have more time to be distracted. Thanks Anna.
Hi 🙂
I am sooooo distracted right now in my writing that I really am not one to offer advice lol. So I’m just stopping by (via the Insecure Writers Group) to say I know exactly how you feel 😦 There just aren’t enough hours in the day lol
Good luck!!!!
Xx
Hi Vikki, I appreciate you stopping by. It feels better knowing I am not the only one. Good Luck to you.
Too much social networking and not enough typing time. It’s bad some days.
Best of luck!
Heather
I know. I set a 1 hour limit on social networking and have gone over that limit every day. Good luck to you!
Certain movies will distract me, although I’ve gotten good at writing with the TV. And music playing. Yes, I really know how to create a peaceful writing environment!
Thanks for posting for the IWSG today.
Alex, thanks for creating the IWSG. If I stick with reality tv shows, I can focus on writing, no problem. It’s the movies and dramas that distract me most.
Funny, I posted on the very same topic today! Also I just moved to Sydney and am loving it! Any tips/recommendations?
Hi Carissa, I love Sydney. I would move there in a second. We spent most of our time in The Rock – fun to explore, CBD and Manly Wharf. I really like the vibe at Manly Wharf.
You still made a post. That is great. My excuse can range from no time to writers block. I cannot even call myself as a writer… then how can it be writers block?
Coming from ISWSG,
http://www.bindu.ca
I did, but it is way past my bed time. You are right. You have to be a writer to have writers block, so you are a writer.
I consider any movie with Alan Alda a worthwhile distraction. Love him! His books are also an acceptable distraction, but he tends to have a unique way of expressing things = inspiration.
Recently, Alfred Hitchcock has been my main distraction (thank you Netflix), but I’m trying to keep on schedule this month. I may do a similar “distractions list” towards the end of the month as I reevaluate my process, so thanks for the inspiration. (Guess that makes this a worthwhile distraction as well ^_^ )
Great post.
Yeah. Alan Alda is greatness. Have you seen The Four Seasons. Alan Alda and Carol Burnett. So good. Anything that sparks creativity is an approved distraction.
If I have, it’s been so long I can’t really remember. It’s been a long time since I’ve watched his movies, but now I’m going to have to track it down.
Procrastination by watching TV, cleaning house and playing outdoors in the garden all distract me from writing. Welcome to the IWSG. Wanted to pop in and say hello. :))
Hi Candy, thanks for the pop in. TV is my biggest distraction. I swear, the next place I live. One room with no TV.