The Writing Wagon

   No one ever said writing was easy.  If writing was easy, every mother's child would be churning out best sellers (we could also make every person in this hypothetical world a bookworm).  The most challenging thing is staying on task and finishing what has been started.  I don't know much about ADHD, but I know that humans in general have short attention spans, especially when it's most needed.  The modern age of technology isn't helpful.  You know what I'm talking about: those shiny mobile devices, iWhatevers, television, and websites.  These aren't a hindrance when the story is pouring through your hands as your transform it into words.  During those times you're the invincible, victorious writer.  Nothing can stop you.  Well, except for yourself. 
   Enter writers' block and play spooky music.  Now is the time when you can easily fall off the wagon.  The flowers and glitter are gone and the hard times have arrived.  But, instead of facing the dilemma, you face the television or browse YouTube for videos of a cat playing the piano.  May be you stay slightly more focused and twitter about it or post about it on facebook.  Then of course you start doing other things, like talking to friends or twittering about what you ate for lunch.  The story doesn't get picked back up until a month latter.  What needs to happen is the toys and gizmos to be put away so the work can be done.  A few pointers to do so:
    - Designate a certain time quota per day to social net working and web browsing so you don't get carried away with it in the first place.  (This could be a good thing all around)
    -Turn cell phone off while you write
    -Take up writing by hand on paper in quite room, later type it.  Sometimes the Internet button a click away is too tempting. 
    -Plan out what you're going to write in your head the day before you write, while you have some free time or as you're about to go to bed.
    -Whatever you do just keep writing.  You can possibly take on an extra writing project

Well I'm not one to talk, I just added onto my distractions by getting a twitter account.  Oh well, I'll manage.  Do you get sidetracked? How do you deal with it?

3 comments:

Carla said...

It's true...writing's not easy. It is a lot of work. But, it is very fulfilling! and a lot of fun!

Carla

Angela Ackerman said...

I have only gotten writer's block once, but procrastination? Oh yes, things lurk everywhere slowing my process. I find what helps me is to put goals in my day planner. I feel like a heel if I don't get enough crossed off, and that motivates me to get it done. :)

Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

MC said...

@ Angela A.
Yeah, a planner is a good idea or some sort of organized routine. I've started dedicating an hour in the morning to just writing, before I start anything. I've gotten a lot of writing done.