I only have a few precious hours while the house is napping to write. Yet instead I am posting on facebook, researching “Lockley House” or “Lockley Tower,” or “Lockley Convent.” Nothing. Ten minutes wasted.
Then I think how I should plan a White Family Reunion since it has almost been 10 years since the last. That leads me to research places we’d stay, and planning an itinerary.
Ten minutes wasted.
Then I notice the tab I’ve had open for two days for “when I have more time to read that article,” and I read the article. Ten minutes wasted.
I mistakenly open my Google Reader and get sucked into that vortex for ten minutes.
I get a text message. Respond, and decide to clear out my inbox since its so full.
A good five minutes wasted.
I notice some trash on the floor and stare at it until I decide to get up and throw it away.
Five minutes wasted.
I think about opening up my manuscript rough draft, and then think instead that a better use of my time would be to write on avoiding writing, and open up this blog post. Twenty minutes wasted.
I kick myself each time I do this, as by the time I manage to pull up the document to write and I settle into the rhythm of writing, I’m so glad I made myself do it. But most days getting myself to open that word document is like getting a cat in the bath.
I know I’m not the only one who has this problem. And I know its not ‘writers block.’ Though it might be “I’m-not-qualified-to-write-this-story block,” or “I-have-to-much-to-write block.” If anything, I am overwhemed by what I want to write and say than not having any inspiration. Different reasons, same outcome.
How do you get past “the avoiding’s” to settle into a good writing rhythm?
Picture Source: Pace J Miller Blog
Heidi Leanne Craig 
I know what you mean – I call it the butterfly effect. I just start to work on something, and “oh look, a butterfly!” At any given time I have several projects fizzing away in my head, stories and characters demanding I commit them to the page, and avoiding that damn butterfly is difficult.
Luckily I’m not a ‘discovery’ writer!
Yes – it is the butterfly effect! haha love it. I too keep thinking, if I weren’t a discovery writer it would be so much easier to just write down the stories that come to my head instead of having to stop and research all the time. I’m sure there is a better way than I am doing it, I just have to discover it first! 😉
I’ve had trouble managing my early morning writing schedule these past few weeks, and I’ve been thinking about trying what my friend does. She picks one song and listens to it while checking email (or social media sites). When the song is over, she moves into actual writing time and sticks to it. I tend to get sucked into managing my blog, or checking out Google+, and then my kiddo wakes up for the day before I’ve gotten any novel work done. Preschool will help! But I do need to change my habits.
Eek sorry its taken me so long to reply. The song suggestion is a great idea! Now this afternoon when I sit down to write I will waste 15-20 minutes picking out a song that I want to listen to everyday 😉 I keep thinking of putting my kids in preschool, but oh man, we just can’t afford it. I too just need to change my habits.
If you spend enough time picking the “right” song, though, you won’t have to pick another one for a while! Preschool starts Monday, so I’ll luxuriate in having a few hours three days a week, and I’m going do to my best to not let distractions eat into too much of that time. We shall see!