Do you ever feel that you’ve lost your ability to keep your focus while you write? It’s nothing new. I’m certain that even the earliest novelists had to deal with tempting diversions, outside interruptions and their own wandering thoughts.
Having said that, it’s hard to argue that there’s ever been a time when distractions were as plentiful as they are today. Not only do we have the disruptions that have been with the world since time immemorial (irritating noises…unexpected knocks at the door…“What’s for dinner?” inquiries), we have our computers and devices which have the ability to connect us to everything and everyone all at once. And they just happen to be the very tools we use to do our writing.
We don’t even have to stand up, walk around or even turn our heads in order to get caught up in an endless web of non-creative, non-writing experiences.
This is not a rant against technology. I use it. You use it. It saves us oodles of time in terms of rewrites and helps keeps our plots organized. It’s exponentially increased our ability to connect with potential agents, publishers, readers and book-loving communities. It’s how you and I are connecting over thoughts on the writer’s craft right now.
Despite these benefits, the digital rabbit holes that open and swallow our creative output are very real, at least in my experience. So, if you’ve had that “where did the time go???” sort of feeling more days of the week than you’d like to admit, I’m sharing a few things I’ve tried that have been helpful to me. Some you’ll find are super-obvious. But remember: if you’re not doing that super-obvious thing, it’s not helping you (and you may need the reminder! 😉 )
Tips to Keep Your Focus While You Write
Notifications off.
Not forever. Not necessarily all of them. But you’re more likely to have a focused writing session when you take a moment to ensure that nothing is going to beep and bing at you just as your main character is about to have a life-changing epiphany. So set up your phone, computer, tablet, etc. to ensure that for the duration of your writing session you’re not interrupted by inconsequential pop-ups, and that only the most essential messages can get through (and mightily question just what these essential messages are!).
On that last note, try your best to choose a writing time when even your “essential contacts” are least likely to need you.
Timer on.
Let’s put our devices to good use by viewing them as timers (as opposed to meeting places, movie theatres, news broadcasts, etc.) while we write. Outside pings are one way we get distracted, but let’s face it: we’re pretty skilled at seeking out our own non-writing diversions instead of writing!
Believe me, I know how tempting (and simple!) it is to check your inbox during an idea lull, or pop onto social media “just for a second” when the words aren’t flowing. Even writing-related tasks, like the story research we’re able to do on the spot the moment a question occurs to us can be a problem by leading us far, far, far away from the act of creating. So let’s set a time and agree that all we will do until the buzzer goes is write, no matter how sluggishly.
Plenty of us have difficulty keeping on task for even short amounts of time, so you might want to start small here. Think fifteen-minute timed writing bursts…then go ahead and break and check your feed. Follow this with another fifteen minutes of writing. At least you’re compartmentalizing (i.e., focusing on) one task at time. Work at lengthening the time of the writing sessions.
Keep a running research list (ideally on paper)
As mentioned above, occasionally, you’ll want to look something up to support your draft in some way. It could be as simple as figuring out a term for an architectural feature of a building you’re describing. Maybe there’s a word you’re not sure that you’re using correctly, or maybe it’s that you need to know a bit more about a historical period that impacts your story.
These are excellent things to investigate. But I say, try not to do this when it’s writing time. It’s so easy to chase after information the moment a question or intriguing idea pops into our head. How often though does one article lead to another that leads to a video that leads to…your writing time is up (or creative energy depleted). Instead, make a “to-do” note on your list (or right inside your draft if you prefer) and write on.
Consider your community
I love the fact that we writers can connect with each other so easily these days, especially online. We can compare notes, give and receive story advice, blow off steam, inspire each other, rant a bit about the process…it makes writing less lonely and can be a great source of support.
If your writing sessions are getting away from you, you may need to check in with yourself even about writing-centred online activities. Are you spending more time pontificating about character arcs and story structure and how you meet your word counts than working at these things? Do you find yourself constantly clicking away from tough spots in your manuscript in order to read writing advice or complain with other authors? And what about this: how do you feel after scrolling through a writing discussion? Do you feel depleted or uninspired? Does it leave you roadblocked, confused, or just blech…and make writing harder?You may need to take a break for a while, or simply limit your participation to intentional sessions once or twice a week.
Again, writing groups and writing discussion threads can be invaluable—just be sure to check in with yourself about how and why you’re using them, and how it’s affecting your creativity.
Draft in a notebook
Putting pen to paper can feel strange if you haven’t done it in a while, and perhaps even weirder if you never wrote fiction by hand. But it’s a sure-fire way to avoid the digital distractions that are otherwise at your fingertips on your laptop (stash your phone somewhere, though – and follow tips one and two above 🙂 ).
Writing your whole manuscript in a notebook might be too hard of an ask. But what if you built pen-and-paper writing sessions into your routine, even if it’s now and then? You might find (as I have) that your creative brain works differently with these tools, and this difference can be very helpful to pushing through blocks or pushing your story in a fresh direction.
You could even write a bit by hand, transcribe it onto the computer, then keep going from there. This could help build up some distraction-free momentum that breaks the digital-distraction cycle!
These are a just a few ways to minimize digital distractions during your writing sessions. By all means, make use of all the wonderful tools—digital and otherwise— that we have at our disposal to connect, learn and grow as writers. But be intentional with your time and energy. Your stories will thank you for it.
