Distractions

By Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief for Southern Writers Magazine

Sometimes it is just not possible to put to paper what is in our heads. Try as we might, there are too many distractions throughout the day. Our thought patterns are interrupted, put on hold, blocked and stopped...like an airport with planes landing all day, that is how it goes in our heads.

When this happens, we wind up kicking ourselves at the end of the day because we didn’t get anything accomplished in our writing. I know some authors who literally have to go into their bathroom, put a do not disturb sign on the door, close and lock just to get 15 minutes of non-interrupted time.

So what do we do? Take a deep breath...and walk away from it for a few hours, maybe even the day. These little frustrations end up zapping us of imagination and creativity if we try to remain seated at the computer. In fact, getting out of the house, away from the task of writing that day just may fill us with new ideas to incorporate into the story we are writing.

Writers need time to participate in life outside of writing. Just interacting with other people can do wonders for a writer. Writing isolates us. When we get out and mingle, shop or visit we gather in fresh thoughts, sounds and smells which may be perfect for that story we are writing.

Perhaps scheduling a time out once a day would be a good idea. It just may make the difference in writing a great story instead of a good story.