Have you ever been working on an important scene in your novel, only to be interrupted? By the phone, by a child, by your spouse or partner?
It makes me SO cranky when it happens. When I’m reading or writing, I become very focused. People can talk to me and I won’t hear it. I block it all out. So when someone breaks through that barrier, trying to reach me, I’m not even myself. I’m whoever I was reading or writing about and it takes a moment to focus outside of that world. I don’t want to be pulled away. I want to be back in the story! Grrr…
Writing my blog is completely different. It’s just me being me. But when I’m working on a book…well, some days, when I know I’m not going to have a chunk of time to myself, I end up not working on it at all. And that makes me cranky, too. Because those characters want my attention. They want to be written about, to be read aloud.
I’ve decided that when the children start school next Wednesday, I’m going to find a quiet place, not in my house (the phone, the email, the internet distract) to be alone with my characters, at least once a week. Only I’m not sure where it’ll be. I live in a small town so it’s hard to find a place where no one will know me well enough to walk up and start a conversation.
If only the beach had outlets...
Where do you go when you want to find a quiet place to write?
17 comments:
I usually write while the kids are in bed. But yes, occasionally one comes down and BAM! I'm interrupted out of my writing groove. I do go to Starbucks occasionally so I'm not pulled away by kids..and chores that call to me while I'm writing.
"If only the beach had outlets"...great line and so true!
I have a post on this very topic lined up. It's the toughest part of writing for me, especially in the summer. I was recently against a revision schedule and asked my kids if they would watch cartoons for one measly hour. What happened? My son interrupted me FIVE TIMES in the first 20 minutes. and he's 10! (not like he's a toddler).
ugh...don't get me started!
okay, I'm better now :)
I don't have one specific quiet place either, but that sounds like a great idea taking one day a week to find a spot.
I swear, sometimes I feel like the parents in "Coraline" when it comes to sitting on the computer and my kids come up to me. I hate being that way. Whatever I'm looking at or writing, is NOT that important, I'm sure.
Good luck with your novel, Sherrie and I hope you can have some good writing moments when the kids are back in school. It will be the other way around for me since we homeschool. LOL
its hard. especially with 2 small kids. sounds like you have aplan
Ugh, I know how frustrating it can be to find some peace and quiet. I think that's why I end up doing all of my writing in the dead of the night when everyone is asleep.
I also seem to do well at coffee houses, particularly without WiFi. The internet is my biggest distraction.
LOL about the beach. It's not so quiet there at times either. How about a coffee shop? Or how about the library? Hmmm... I'l keep my thinking cap on for you.
I hope you find a great place. The beach sounds nice: if you don't mind writing the old fashioned way, with pen and paper. Coffee shops can be too distracting sometimes. The pantry is a good place :)
My place doesn't have to be quiet. It just has to be away from the house. The library works well for me as does a random coffee house. I'm thinking the same thing as you. A couple dedicated days away from home a week. Once school starts...
Kelly: I spend a lot of time writing while everyone sleeps, too. I'm hoping if I dedicate a day to no interruption writing, I can spend a few extra hours in bed!
Tess: Isn't it amazing that when you tell them NOT to interrupt, they suddenly need your full attention!
Rena: I know what you mean. I'm not anyone's favorite mommy when I'm interrupted on the computer =)
Shelli: Hopefully the plan works!
LiLa: If I had a coffee house where no one knew me, it would be great. As it is, I'd have to drive at least 30 minutes to find one where I could be anonymous. It's the small town thing =)
T. Anne: I used to work at the library so I don't think I'd get much privacy!
Yat-Yee: My pantry still has wireless so it needs to be out of the house. Plus, I'd probably start cleaning it instead of writing!
PJ: I don't mind ambient noise, but when it's my family, somehow I just can't focus as well.
I'm thinking the same thing. I'll have a couple hours 3 mornings a week starting in Sept. and I want to go to a coffee shop and spend time writing. Here's hoping it'll work!
I know what you mean about getting cranky when interrupted. My kids go back to school in 13 days and I've already scoped out my spot in the library. I can't wait!
Good luck!
I go on my chaise lounger that overlooks the front yard, and make sure no one's in the house for a few hours. This is usually my brainstorming area (and the time I really, really need to focus and not be interrupted), so I'm plotting in a binder rather than writing on a computer. Once I get a laptop, I think that will be my writing spot for drafting, too!
I have taken over my hubby's LARGE office. He's not a fan, but it has everything I'd ever want.
Sofa,TV, phone, computers, outlets :) windows...
good luck! It's much easier when the kiddos go to school.
The quiet place is my house during school hours--when my husband's working downstairs. But sometimes I find that loud and crowded is almost quiet--I can tune out that stuff and everyone has someone ELSE to talk to. Not that small a town, though, so you might have a harder time.
Does Pea Soup Anderson's have outlets?! :)
The most distraction-free time for me is in bed late at night when there are no worries of the phone ringing. Hubby falls asleep, I turn down the volume on the TV, and get to work.
Since my kids are older, I do sometimes manage to hide away in my room if my WIP demands it, but that's not often.
When I find it, I'll get back to you. Totally relating here!
Duuude, can I relate! When I was writing the novel I just recently finished (yay!) I was setting my alarm to get me up at 3 or 4 a.m. so that I could work for a couple of hours before my 3 yr old got up at 6 a.m.! With the newest project I've been working on, I have been taking a pen and journal with me while I take a bath ;) I'm CERTAIN there is a more ideal way to do this... LOL.
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