Distractions While Writing
Focusing on the task of writing can be difficult enough, especially if you have writer's block or aren't sure exactly what you want to write. But when other distractions are thrown into the mix, it can be nearly impossible to get the creative juices flowing.
Here are some suggestions to dealing with various kinds of distractions!
Other responsibilities
If there are other responsibilities that you must also accomplish, prioritize. Which are the most important? Which are the least important? I'm sorry to say it, but a lot of responsibilities come before creative writing in terms of how important they are: schoolwork, chores, etc. I find it helpful to make a list of the items that I need to get done, working my way through to the items I want to get done.
If all of the items for the day are things that you want to get done, still make a list, but try prioritizing based on what will take the least amount of time. If you don't know how long you'll be writing for but you also wanted to watch that new, twenty-minute episode of your favorite TV show, watch the episode first. That way, it will be finished, not pressuring you to stop writing, and not nagging at the back of your mind as you write.
YouTube (other show streaming programs may apply)
My biggest distraction once I've sat down to write is YouTube. I'm rather addicted, and I've heard many complaints of other teenage writers and bloggers facing the same problems.
If you do as well, I'm not going to suggest setting a timer for yourself or a limit on the number of videos you can watch. I've tried both, and neither methods were successful. If you set a timer, once it goes off, you'll turn it off, make a mental note to just finish your current video, and then forget that the timer went off at all. If you limit the number of videos you can watch, you'll just keep thinking, "Just one more." If you're responsible enough for either or both methods to work, great for you! If not, keep reading.
The only thing that I've found helps is putting my phone somewhere where I physically can't reach it. It's a simple solution, but one that's surprisingly difficult. Either there's something I'm doing on my phone - texting a parent or friend, finishing reading Wattpad notifications - that I'm finishing up as I'm sitting down at my laptop, or I'm already in the middle of a YouTube video. But if this is the case, step away from the computer. Go to the nearest charging station. And once there, finish up whatever you're doing, plug in the phone, and return to the laptop.
Now, you may get distracted by YouTube or other show streamers on your computer, but it's harder to convince yourself that you're multitasking when you're constantly switching back and forth between tabs and windows.
That being said, DON'T try to convince yourself that you can watch AND write. You can, but your writing won't be good. Trust me. I keep trying it, over and over, despite the fact that it never works.
Phone Notifications
I touched on this in the "YouTube" section, but it needs more attention.
If you're in the middle of a text conversation with your friends or need to keep your phone close in case your parent texts, you can't really place your phone somewhere distant from you and the computer. You can, however, turn the ringer all the way up and place your phone a few feet away from you on the tabletop.
If you're texting in a group chat where your phone is going to be going off every few seconds, then make up some excuse for why you can no longer talk and silence the group chat. You might worry that you'll miss out on something, but if you truly want to write, it must be done.
If you're having a one-on-one text conversation, do the same thing, unless it's about something serious or one of you is helping the other. If that's the case, then maybe you shouldn't be trying to write at the moment and maybe you should be focusing on the text conversation instead.
The Desire to do Other Things
Sometimes, I'll want nothing more than to write the perfect chapter for one of my stories - but I don't have my laptop by me. I'll finish whatever I'm doing, sit down at my computer, and...nothing. My want, need to write the chapter is gone, and I now don't really want to write. Instead, I'd much rather do something else.
Don't force it. Life is too short to do things you don't really want to. And this doesn't mean you'll never, ever write again! It just means you'd rather think about writing - and go do whatever it is you're also thinking about - rather than actually write. No big deal!
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So, in conclusion:
- Prioritize your tasks and be honest about where writing falls on that list
- Put your phone somewhere where you can't reach it so you can't be distracted as effectively by YouTube/Netflix/etc.
- Silence your group chats, turn up your ringer, and place your phone a few feet away if you need to stay posted for an important message
- Do what you truly want to do; don't feel obligated to write!
I hope at least one of these methods was helpful - they sure help me :) I am also running out of guest authors, so if you're interested or know somebody who would be, please, contact me!
