Here's why.
Saturday would have been a prime writing day but I walked past my daughters room and cringed. What. A. Mess.
"Oh, 'Drama'," I said. "How about I help you clean your room?"
"No, Mama, please. I can do it," she cries.
"Really? Because I've asked several times and I don't see it happening."
"No, Mama. I promise. I'll do it."
"That's okay, 'Drama'. I'd love to help."
3 hours, six trash bags, several tears and multiple curse words ( I made her leave the room as certain choice words were flying) later, 'Drama' has an immaculate room and several items to donate. She's so not happy.
But then my husband tells me he's taking our son to the ballpark with some other guys so I decide 'Drama' and I will go shopping. We call my mother-in-law, whom I adore and had a girls day. We didn't buy much but we had a great time. We need girls' days every now and then. 'Drama' got a new bedspread for her clean room. One would think that would cheer her up but no, of course not. She was devastated that we had to throw the old one out. No matter how many times I explained that the old one was torn, stained and just plain gross, the tears kept coming. Several hours later she finally decided she liked her room and the new blanket. Thank goodness.
Sunday rolls around and all I can think about is what a prime writing day it will be. But then I found some brain teaser games on my Yahoo home page and I was hooked. Then my husband had to borrow my computer to update his phone. He neglected to tell me it would take over 2 hours. After about 30 minutes, I started reading a book I had recently purchased and that's all she wrote, folks. The book was great! I finished all 374 pages in one day and still had time to get back to the brain teaser games.
Who knows? Maybe I needed a break from writing. I don't work my day jobs on Monday, so...perhaps today will be a prime writing day.
How about you? What distracts you?
SIS Barb writing as Elle J Rossi
Posts
19 comments:
My biggest distraction is the Internet. It is my preferred mode for communication. I'm not a phone person. I have a theory on why, but that's another post. So anyway, I have this nasty habit of NEEDING to check my email every ten minutes or so. Even though I only get sporadic notes from friends. I'd still see any writing business related emails even if I only checked mail once every two hours, but what if it's something URGENT?
Although I suppose then, whoever would call.
Then I get distracted by the news on the Internet. Publishing news, world news. And even though I've weened myself greatly from blogs, Facebook and Twitter... I still visit.
Then there are my dogs. The pup who wants to play all the time. And the dog who just wants some attention and fresh air.
Distractions? Me? Naw. *g*
Good luck on a distraction free writing day, Barb/Elle and tell Drama I'm envious that she got a new bedspread!
SIS Beth
I'm with Beth. My biggest distraction is the internet, too. My cat is second. She's kneading my lap as I type. Then she'll stand in front of my monitor. The third is my husband. Yesterday we went for a walk in the woods by Pike Lake, got lost and ended up walking for 8 to 10 miles. That's one walk we'll remember.
The worst part is I weighed myself this morning and didn't lose any weight.
Hello Barb,
EVERYTHING is a distraction. I can't seem to walk from one room to the next without getting distracted, and then when I finally make it to my destination, I can't remember why I was even going there.
The kids, dogs, husband, work...It seems as though there is so much to do and so little time! I would love to be able to set aside time that is just for writing, but it can't be. Even though I have been getting up earlier, I find that I am using that time to get more chores done.
So, for now, I will write when the opportunities arise. It may take me longer to get it finished...but I will get it finished!
SIS Bren
Beth,
Ah, yes, the internet. Can't get anything done with it and can't breathe without it. Or at least that's how it feels at times. I'm constantly checking emails, blogs, FB and now Brain Teasers! Argh. Must. Turn. It. Off.
Pets are a great distraction. Tell the furry ones I say HELLO!
SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi
Hi Edie!
We had cats at one time and I really miss the kneading. I called it silent marching and loved it. Sometimes it actually felt like a massage when they did it on my neck.
Where's Pike Lake? Were you nervous about being lost or just enjoying the scenery? Oh and I think you're supposed to weigh yourself 2 days later!! Try that and I'll cross my fingers for you.
SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi
I agree everything is a distraction, blogging, Internet, hubby, cat, family. There's nothing that allows you to write, but you can make your self write. Smile.
Sounds as if you had some good distractions. But even the good ones can become a problem. My hubby and son are my biggest distractions. But I love 'em anyway.
CC
Bren,
When I first started writing I read a book that said you have to treat writing like a job. The type of job that requires you to be there for a certain amount of time each day. According to this book, you are actually supposed to make a sign stating your writing hours and then discuss it with the entire family and explain that you are not to be disturbed unless it's an emergency. Give it a try and let me know how it works for you because it sure as hell didn't work for me!
SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi
Sandy,
Your comment is dead on. When I make myself write (and trust me, I don't consider it a chore), truly make myself sit down and focus...I can get a lot accomplished.
That being said, I'm actually glad I got the chance to read a book yesterday. That is the one thing I miss the most since I started writing. Definitely need to set some time aside just for that too. I'll call it research!!
SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi
Hi Christie,
We do love them, don't we? They have no idea how much of a distraction they are which makes them even more endearing to us.
~~Elle
"3 hours, six trash bags, several tears and multiple curse words ( I made her leave the room as certain choice words were flying) later, 'Drama' has an immaculate room and several items to donate. She's so not happy."
Cracked me up. Sounds like my 14 year old's room. We did the same, minus the tears.
What distracts me? Life. I do get some writing in but, of late, there always seems to be a list of things that MUST be done, or the world as we know it, will end. Sheesh.
Sia,
Now you cracked me up! It does seem as if the world will end, doesn't it? The list is endless and if that's not enough, people think its okay to add their shit to my list.
Oh well. When I get published do you think people will say..."Wow, how did she ever manage to write a book when she has so much to do for everyone else?" Yeah--probably not.
SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi
I get distracted by the Internet, the TV, my parents, the neighbors. You name it. *g*
Tori,
TV is a big one. Especially now that all the new seasons have started. I'm trying to be selective but there are just so many shows I love and of course ALL OF THEM are 60 minute shows.
SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi
NOTHING gets me distract ... WHU WAS THAT!?!?! ... ed!
1) FARMVILLE and all Facebook games of its demonic ilk -- not wasted hours. Oh no, if tallied --- wasted DAYS!!!
2) A good book (I tend to allow my dog more trips outside/smoke breaks during the day when in the middle of a page-turner).
3) I love it, but, really, for my wallet AND my available time, cable must DIE!! ESPECIALLY "Free On-Demand" that allows me to watch ALL the shows I MISSED! I truly believe I could get SO much more done with about 10 channels.
4) Just having Windows Internet Explorer open and connected -- if I could get paid for surfing ...!
5) THANKFULLY, IF I open thr programs and START working on the tunes --- I can be distracted by such for HOURS on end!
6) Last, but CERTAINLY not least --- blogs like THIS one :-)!!! I keep up with Y'ALL'S blog better than my own!
Household chores, Internet, books, TV. Life.
Richard,
You seem very distracted today. Would you please PAY ATTENTION?!?!?!
SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi
Olga,
I, too, find life distracting. Isn't it funny how that works?
SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi
If I hadn't have come here on purpose, I suppose I would have found this page to be distracting...
which it is... but, like I said, "my choice". ;)
Post a Comment