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Post by cookiebun on May 7, 2016 0:57:23 GMT
When you are writing, how do you stay focused?
I seem to get distracted. usually by reading other fics.
I want to be able to sit down and write a bunch. I don't seem to have enough time it seems, and I don't want to give my writing the shaft, so I tend ot not start if I don't think I have enough time to focus on it.
I think I have a decent idea... I just need to get started!
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nichellew1
Stepping into a puddle outside of Babylon
Posts: 3
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Post by nichellew1 on May 7, 2016 23:53:35 GMT
Hey Kathy!! This a general problem among authors. Life happens and we find ourselves having to clean it up. As someone who has been writing for a number of years, this is how I handle it. Just as I work an 8 hour day or as dedicated as I am to being MOM, Sister, daughter and friend to many, I also dedicate myself to being a writer. Contrary to popular opinion or belief, there are many ways to do what you love while not having to sacrifice a thing.
1. Carry a notebook. It doesn't have to be big; could even be the size of the detective pads you've seen on every cop show imaginable. The goal is to jot down the idea and further examine it later. Believe it or not, I even keep one by my bed since I am often woken up by my over-active imagination spinning plot ideas.
2. Download some FREE writing apps on your phone. This could also be Google Docs or Notepad and is meant to just get the idea out of your head immediately. The good news about using GDocs, is that it saves automatically as you type. So let's say that you have a good stretch of time and decide to begin a chapter but you only have a half hour. Open up the appropriate file and start typing!! Whatever you save in GDocs on your phone will still be accessible on the GDoc on your laptop/desktop. Case in point, Life in Lyrics was mainly written on my Samsung Note while I was out and about standing on line in Walmart. When I got home, I finished editing it on my computer, then added the banner and voila! A completed story.
3. MAKE TIME TO WRITE!!! Everyone has a specific time when they have the 'Me' time. It could be in the morning before having to get the kids out to school, the afternoon during a lunch break, when we first get home after a tough day at the office or even that stretch of time right before bed. Dedicate part of that time to write. It doesn't have to be long or a full chapter; just a couple of sentences. The goal here is to develop a pattern. Consider that time your sacred time and let no one or nothing stand in the way of it. I KNOW it will be hard- I have two kids with Autism so trust me, I know the struggle- but if it's something that you want to do, then you deserve the right to preserve your ME time. And although a set time would help, YOU MAKE THE RULES, so feel free to move your ME time everyday until you find your niche.
Well I hope this little bit of advice helps you along in your writing journey! There will always be time for everything else- including reading- but treat your writing time as you would everything else. Remember, your muse is important too!
Happy Writing and HUGS, ~Nichelle
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Post by charming1 on May 8, 2016 0:46:23 GMT
Those are great tips, Chelle! I too become easily distracted when I write, usually by other stuff on the internet. When my muse is cooperating, I'm able to block all that other stuff out and devote a few hours to a chapter or one-shot. But when it's just not flowing, it can be a challenge.
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Post by cookiebun on May 8, 2016 5:40:16 GMT
Thank you Chelle... those are great tips... and yes, you are right. If it is important enough to me, I need to MAKE time for it!
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