Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day and Writing Distractions


It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The co-hosts for the May 1 posting of the IWSG are Victoria Marie Lees, Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!

May 1 question - How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?

Distractions can be anything.

Your children
Your pets
Housework
Yardwork
The phone
Emails
Social media

Some distractions need your attention.

Some are self-inflicted.

Some you just need to ignore.

Take time to prioritize your day. Make a list the night before of what you need to accomplish and note what’s the most important. Focus on what matters most first. Then when distractions happen, you’ll have most of the key items done and not be completely derailed.

How do you deal with distractions? How do they derail you and how can you stop that from happening?

16 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Always best to focus on what matters.

Fundy Blue said...

Happy 33rd wedding anniversary, Diane! And congratulations too, because a lot of marriages don't hit that mark. I use that list idea every day. It helps, but it doesn't always work for this distractible Louise. May you and your husband have many more hoary years together!

Toi Thomas said...

Happy IWSG Day!
Happy Anniversary!
What a small world. My 19th anniversary was on Monday.
Thanks for the tips on dealing with distractions.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Thanks for the great tips, Diane. Yes, we need to prioritize our days.

Leigh Caron said...

Hey! Happy 33rd!!!!! I just have to say "NO" to my distractions. They constantly keep popping up in my head. I do make lists, but my distractions don't care.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

It's all about being kind to yourself. Treating our inner child the way we'd treat any child. Happy IWSG Day, Kim. Thanks for co-hosting.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Sorry Diane, Meant that previous comment for Kim. Happy Anniversary!

cleemckenzie said...

Those lists save me. Without them, I'm all over the place never getting the important things done.

Señorida Anastasia said...

Because I go to school, prioritising this way is the only way to ever find time. Making a list the night before seems inevitable. Happy Anniversary! Have a nice day:)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Focus is not a lot I have of at the moment, but music helps a whole lot. For me anyway.

Happy Anniversary!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane - congratulations on the 33 years together - definitely no distractions there! Great ideas here - you do set examples for us - cheers Hilary

Steven Arellano Rose Jr. said...

Well, Happy Anniversary to you and your husband! I normally try to make make a priority list each day, a general one and one for my writing-related tasks. Lately, however, I've only gotten around to making the writing priority lists. I need to keep on top of things more.

Victoria Marie Lees said...

Priorities matter, Diane. Thanks for reminding us. And yes! I have all those distractions, too. Happy 33rd Anniversary! All best to you both.

J.Q. Rose said...

Words of wisdom to make a list. I used to do that. I think I'd better give it a go again. Happy #33!!!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Writing at 5 a.m. really helps! Not a whole lot of distractions going on then. Happy 33rd anniversary to you!

Tara Tyler said...

happy anniversary! always good to hear about a lengthy marriage, it takes perseverence
and congrats again to Sherry! she’s amazing

wanted to let you know, my oldest son is moving to Charlotte in Dec, so I thought of you, planning way ahead for book events next summer... yes, I’m crazy. but I’m finally feeling a need to travel again.

Tara Tyler Talks