Dealing with Distraction during The Holidays
Irene S. Roth
Irene S. Roth
It's easy to become distracted during the Christmas holidays. Almost anything can distract you, if you allow it to. It can take a long time to learn how to focus on your writing in such a way that distractions will be minimized, if not avoided altogether even during the Christmas holidays. Most of us can learn to focus on one project and write for an hour or two four to five days a week with a bit of planning.
Distractions can take many different forms during the holidays. We could be distracted by our children, spouses, family members, constant parties and outings, people coming over unexpectedly, and so on. There are also phone calls, sending Christmas cards (if you are old fashioned like me) and email.
Limiting these distractions can be difficult. However, with a bit of forethought and planning, you can take a few steps to be less distracted and to get some writing done.
Here are a few to consider.
1. Set an egg timer
I find that setting a timer helps a lot. I set it for, say, one or two hours, and during that time, I don't do anything but think about what I am doing. The timer gives me the structure I need to keep my eyes and mind on the manuscript that I am working on.
2. Do nothing but write during your allotted time
Nothing, except an emergency, should move you to do anything else than write during my allotted time. If you are serious about writing, make sure that you actually write during your devoted time.
3. Shut off all outside distractions before sitting down to write
It is important for writers to shut off the ringer on the phone and don’t answer the door if the doorbell rings during your allotted writing session. Do nothing but write.
4. Tell Family about your Writing Time
It is important for you to tell your family ahead of time what your writing schedule will be for the week. Then when you’re writing time comes, honour it so that your family can honor it too. Don’t be persuaded to do anything but write during those times.
5. Work on one project at a time
Productive writers usually finish up all their writing projects. They work diligently through discouragement and rejection. They also find a way to work consistently on a project until it is complete.
Writers will usually hit a lot of distractions when they set out to write during the Christmas season. This is to be expected and is very much a part of writing practise. Try not to give up and quit when the going gets tough. Just keep finding ways to write, even if it is for a short period of time.
I always tell the ladies who I coach in my mentoring group that it is important to write as often as possible. We have all made a commitment to write most days, even if it is for a short time such as 15 minutes. You have no idea how much momentum this brings to your writing life until you try it. So, part of our motto is Write most days! And that is the promise we make to ourselves.
So, we could try and do something similar in this group. I believe that part of writing consistently is making a commitment to your writing and finding a time to write every day—even if it is a short time. Not only will be habitually writing and become more confident as a writer, but your family and friends will also know that you are serious about your writing.
However, sometimes, you will have to think outside of the box in order to get some writing done. So, here are some unlikely places that I wrote just to get some extra words down on my WIP during the holidays:
• Write in the car—of course when you are a passenger. If you are taking a trip to a special destination that takes an hour or two, you could bring your paper and pen or even laptop and just write for a few minutes at a time. I sometimes get into the back seat where it is quieter, and I just write for about half an hour or so until the next pit-stop on our trip.
• Write in the airport—while waiting to board the plane. Sometimes there are delays. Most times, we have to get there at least an hour ahead of time. So, this can be a time to write for even a few minutes.
• Once the plane is in flight, you can write during your flight or at least read to prepare to write.
• Wake up a bit earlier and write.
• Stay up a bit later and write for a few minutes.
• While your spouse is watching television in the evening, remove yourself to another room and write for a few minutes.
Therefore, do your writing as bookends during the day, either in the morning or at night. During the day, enjoy yourself. After all, that is what the holidays are all about. Make memories. Take photos. Eat great food!
By taking these steps, you will be getting some writing during the holidays.
Questions:
1. What are some of your obstacles to writing in the Christmas holidays?
2. Can you work around them? How?
3. Are there any other ways that you can try and write during the Christmas holidays, despite all the distractions that the Christmas season imposes on us?
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