Guard Your Writing Time Against Interruptions

Jun 22, 2011
Suzanne Pitner

Interruptions can eat away at writing time. - Image by m-c on Flickr

Distractions and interruptions can impinge on writing time. Here are some ideas of how to write with total focus.

Congratulations! You’re one of the writers who sets a scheduled time to write each day and then shows up at the desk to do it. It takes willpower to be so disciplined, but the rewards are worth it.

A quote attributed to Peter DeVries says, “I only write when I’m inspired, and I see to it that I’m inspired at nine o’clock every morning.” Writing on a regular schedule is one way of making sure the words get written. However, even if a person has a set time each day to write, hidden interruptions may be eating away at that time.

Twitter and Social Media Eat into Writing Time

Yes, they’re a wonderful way to connect with other writers, publishers, and agents, but they can also use up far too much valuable time. There are articles to read, pictures to admire, friends to reply to, and before one notices, the writing time is gone. It’s easy to get caught up in this and it’s hard to break away.

One solution is to use social media as a reward. Once a word count or other writing goal has been met, reward yourself with 15 or 20 minutes of social media time. Set a timer so you don’t overdo it. You might also use the timer to meet a writing goal, then take a short break.

Telephone Calls and Emails Distract the Writer

It’s important to keep in touch with people, and to be available, but this can be at scheduled times different from your writing time. Many writers refuse to answer the phone when they are writing. They let all the calls go to voice mail. Writers with young children in school obviously can’t do that, since they need to be available in an emergency. That’s where caller ID comes in handy. Take a look at who is calling, and refuse to answer the phone unless it’s an emergency. Taking a call from a friend or relative could cost you an entire writing day. They might want a favor, or they might simply want to chat for hours.

Schedule a time when you’re not writing to read and answer email. Close your email client while you’re writing. If you enjoy writing in the early morning hours, answer email in the afternoon or evening. Vice versa for nighttime writers.

Family Members Cause Interruptions

Sometimes family members will wait till you’re sitting down and ready to type, and then come in with a request, a question, or a conversation. It’s not that they don’t appreciate that you’re trying to work; it’s more likely they enjoy your company and want to be with you. Make it clear to family members that a certain time of day is your writing time. When you are writing, don’t allow them to interrupt. It helps if you have an extra room or even a closet in which to write.

Just as you expect your family to honor your writing time, you should honor the time you spend with them. If you say you’ll be writing from 6:00 till 8:00 each evening, make sure you save your file and shut off your computer at 8:00 p.m. Your family will appreciate it, and they’ll be less likely to interrupt you if they know you’ll be coming back to them at a certain time.

There are many more ways writers may be interrupted or distracted from their work. Everyone is different. The key is to focus just on the writing during a set time, and guard that time like a jealous lover. Turn off all distractions, and get more writing done.