Sometimes it feels like life throws all of these distractions at you and you're just trying to juggle it. Here's what I try to do when the distractions become too much.
Headphones: I bought a sweet pair of headphones that have some sound cancelling elements. They're not the most expensive, but they're pretty effective. They don't block out everything, but it's enough so I can play music and lose myself in my thoughts.
Pleading for peace: Sometimes when I need some solitude for writing, I tell everyone that I'm going to be available for a few hours. I'm just holing up in my room with my headphones and my poetry. Your variation could be asking your partner to take care of things for an hour while you hide in the basement with your laptop.
Abandon ship: If it's too crazy here, too many distractions then I head to the library or a coffee shop. I can go there and write, knowing that I'm not going to be bothered by anyone. I can just focus on the writing.
Because the night: In the wee hours of the night/day there's times when the world seems hushed. Still. If all else fails, those times are wonderful for tapping into your creative juices and writing a bit.
How do you manage to write when the world seems to not want you to? Let me know in the comments!
17 Days until OctPoWriMo!
Tamara Woods was raised (fairly happily) in West Virginia where she began penning poems after a boy broke her heart. She shares poetry, short stories and writer interviews on her blog, PenPaperPad. Her writing has been featured in Mamalode, In the Powder Room, and many others. She is the editor for The Reverie Journal, which will be releasing it's first poetry collection early October. She also hosts #writestuff TweetChat where writers talk about writing every Tuesday at 9 pm EST. She is a hillbilly hermit living in Honolulu with her Mathmagician.
As I've gotten older, I find I cherish peace and quiet. I used to be the one participating (aka making) the noise, but no longer. Now when I sit down to the piano, I appreciate the sound. Now when I sing, I appreciate the vibrato. Now when I turn on a CD I appreciate the talent that went into its manufacture. Now when I turn on the TV, well, mostly I turn it off. I'd rather accomplish my tasks to quiet than have the "noise" in the background. What about you?
ReplyDeleteI "need" background noise during nap time or I find that I get too quiet and then the kids wake up. LOL!! If I am studying I need it to be 100% quiet or I can't concentrate. I might need to get a pair of headphones to help block out the noise.
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