Distractions, distractions, distractions. We live in a world full of them. So how do we sit down to write a fictional piece when we are bothered by the distractions of reality? Distractions come in a range of forms. For example here are a list of daily distractions in my life.
1. My cat- Yes she is very cute and cuddly but when I sit down at my desk to start writing I can't help but to bend down and pet her when she starts rubbing against my legs and meowing.
2. My younger siblings- I have three younger sisters, my youngest two being 12 and 6. So needless to say there isn't very much quiet time around here. If they aren't yelling or bickering at each other, they are running around and laughing at the tops of their lungs.
3. The every day chores- We come home from work or class and immediately start thinking of the things we must accomplish. Like putting the dishes in the dishwasher, folding the laundry that has been sitting in the dryer all day or the fact that you still have not showered since the day before.
4. My social media networks- Now a days everyone is on at least one social network whether it be Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or Tumblr. I receive a notification that someone has requested me as a friend so I go to accept and before I know it I have gone to 12 different profiles, looked through over 200 pictures, played Candy Crush and it is now two hours later.
Distractions in reality keep us from channeling our creative side, it keeps us from putting elements of fiction into our writing because our minds are so focused on reality. Here are a few solutions I believe will help writers to better express themselves fictionally.
1. Find a quiet area- Go to your local library or find a quiet cubby in your school library to sit and work. Get away from others that will call your attention away from your work and the daily chore thoughts. Sitting at the library will take your mind off the dishes in the sink and the laundry in the dryer. Since it is not easily accessible at the moment, it won't be on your mind as much.
2. Put your phone on silent and put it face down- Not seeing your screen light up every time you get a text message or a notification will minimize your need to constantly check your phone. And this will result in less time spent away from your work!
3. Turn the internet off on your computer- Most people write on your laptops and can easily be distracted by the fact they have the internet easily accessible. Maybe you decided it's time to look into the prices of that trip to Mexico you've wanted to take for the past two years. Turning your internet off will keep more of your attention on your word processor and less of it on your internet.
1. My cat- Yes she is very cute and cuddly but when I sit down at my desk to start writing I can't help but to bend down and pet her when she starts rubbing against my legs and meowing.
2. My younger siblings- I have three younger sisters, my youngest two being 12 and 6. So needless to say there isn't very much quiet time around here. If they aren't yelling or bickering at each other, they are running around and laughing at the tops of their lungs.
3. The every day chores- We come home from work or class and immediately start thinking of the things we must accomplish. Like putting the dishes in the dishwasher, folding the laundry that has been sitting in the dryer all day or the fact that you still have not showered since the day before.
4. My social media networks- Now a days everyone is on at least one social network whether it be Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or Tumblr. I receive a notification that someone has requested me as a friend so I go to accept and before I know it I have gone to 12 different profiles, looked through over 200 pictures, played Candy Crush and it is now two hours later.
Distractions in reality keep us from channeling our creative side, it keeps us from putting elements of fiction into our writing because our minds are so focused on reality. Here are a few solutions I believe will help writers to better express themselves fictionally.
1. Find a quiet area- Go to your local library or find a quiet cubby in your school library to sit and work. Get away from others that will call your attention away from your work and the daily chore thoughts. Sitting at the library will take your mind off the dishes in the sink and the laundry in the dryer. Since it is not easily accessible at the moment, it won't be on your mind as much.
2. Put your phone on silent and put it face down- Not seeing your screen light up every time you get a text message or a notification will minimize your need to constantly check your phone. And this will result in less time spent away from your work!
3. Turn the internet off on your computer- Most people write on your laptops and can easily be distracted by the fact they have the internet easily accessible. Maybe you decided it's time to look into the prices of that trip to Mexico you've wanted to take for the past two years. Turning your internet off will keep more of your attention on your word processor and less of it on your internet.