How Can Writers Handle Daily Distractions and Stay Focused on Writing?

From Edie: Beth Vogt knows distractions are inevitable, but she also knows they don't have to derail your writing. Discover five practical ways writers can stay focused and productive.

How Can Writers Handle Daily Distractions and Stay Focused on Writing?

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

Every morning I share prayer requests via text with a close writing friend. It’s such an encouraging way to start our day, as simple as asking, “How can I pray for you today?”

Earlier this week, we had the same prayer request: We wanted no distractions as we focused on writing. 

“Beth,” you say, possibly muffling your laughter, “you want a do-over on that prayer request?”

Maybe.

Let’s laser in on distractions, shall we? Merriam-Webster.com defines a distraction as “an object that directs one's attention away from something else” and adds that distractions can lead to mental confusion.

Got it. (The definition, not the mental confusion. We are not going there.)

Within two hours of sharing our twin prayer requests, I began counting the distractions that had shown up — all before 8 a.m.

• Willa, our 11-month-old puppy, demanded attention multiple times. Tummy rubs. To be let outside. To be let back inside. To be given a doggie chew. 
• My youngest daughter called for a little catch-up chat. She lives out of state — I’m taking the call. 
• I prepped peaches for the freezer because they were going bad sitting in the box on my counter. Can’t let the peaches spoil! 
• The TV is on in the background. (A morning habit of mine.) Paused to watch a segment about A.I. and medicine and a follow-on segment about A.I. and children. 
• Another daughter called with an update on her job search. (Shorter phone call. Still important.)

Reality is, distractions are going to happen. I want to focus on one thing (writing goals) and these other things (review my bulleted list) are directing my attention away from them.

Am I surprised? 

No.

Can I do something about these distractions? 

Yes. (Well, maybe not the puppy.)

My prayer request should be: Help me handle my distractions wisely.

As writers, we know distractions are going to happen. If we manage the distractions, we avoid the mental confusion that also prevents us from writing. The question is: how do we take control of these distractions rather than allowing them to control us? May I suggest:

5 Practical Ways for Writers to Stay Focused and Productive

• 1. Turn off the TV. (You can catch reruns or record your favorite shows.)
• 2. Use the Do Not Disturb button on your phone to mute texts and calls – even for an hour at a time. My phone even has “work” and “focus” buttons.
• 3. Make a list of what you need to accomplish. Cross off things when you get them done. (Great way to clear the mental confusion.)
• 4. Have an accountability writing partner who you share writing goals with. Check with each other weekly and daily.
• 5. Give yourself grace. Distractions happen — and often those distractions have names. It’s always a balance between our real life and our writing life. 

And no, writing this blog post was not a distraction. This was an assignment on my To Do list (see #3) and I crossed it off when I submitted it.

Which suggestion on my list might you try this week? What helps you handle distractions when you need to write?

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How Can Writers Handle Daily Distractions and Stay Focused on Writing? from @BethVogt on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s authored 15 novels and novellas, both contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Beth is a Christy Award winner, an ACFW Carol Award winner, and a  RITA® finalist. Her newest contemporary romance novel, Dedicated to the One I Love, released June 20, 2023. Her novel Things I Never Told You, book one in her Thatcher Sisters Series by Tyndale House Publishers, won the 2019 AWSA Golden Scroll Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people. Connect with Beth at BETHVOGT.COM.