This month's issue of Writer's Digest is The Big 10 issue and it inspired me to list the 10 things that distract me from writing.
10. Cleaning: I hate cleaning though I love a clean home (doesn't everyone?) However, I feel the need to clean when I hit a rough patch in my writing. Those moments when I don't know where the scene or characters are heading and the story knots itself up. Oddly enough, after everything is scrubbed clean the problem has unraveled and I jab away at the keys.
9. Showering: Unlike cleaning the house, I love showering. I do this twice a day and in New York City's sweltering summer heat, it could go up to four or five times a day. However much like cleaning, I become inspired and the ideas flow from me like the water from the shower head. Unfortunately by the time I get out, I've forgotten all the wonderful ideas.
8. Eating: This provides me energy and nourishment (unless its candy, which is plain delicious) so I can slump in my chair and be distracted by #7-1.
7. Answering Email: Much like snail mail its a great time waster and maybe I'll discover something that gets my fingers typing again. Most of the time, it doesn't.
6. News: I read gossip rags. I love them. I don't believe the stories and I don't really care who Jennifer Aniston is dating, where Angelina is in the world yet none of that stops me from pouring over them. Oh and I don't stop at with the US rags, I read the UK ones too. Then after that it's onto Huffington Post, NY Times, LA Times and Telegraph. All great times wasters but inspiration can come too.
5. Sleep: The body needs it. I love it. If I could get a job as a mattress tester, I would. Besides, I had enough sleepless nights in college--NO MORE!
4. Facebook: A time sucker in a fun way and nothing to help writing...at least not yet.
3. Twitter: Thought this one should be higher? Not for me. Like Facebook, a time sucker in the greatest way.
2. Life in New York City: Being in New York there are a million things to do. Enough, said.
1. TV:
Sunday: True Blood, Drop Dead Diva, Masterpiece Theater
Monday: The Closer, Lie to Me, Rizzoli & Isles, Two an a Half Men *
(Monday-Friday Chelsea Lately)
Tuesday: Memphis Beat
Wednesday: Psych
Thursday: 30 Rock, Community, Bones, Glee
Friday: I can't remember but I'm sure I find something
Saturday: BBC, HBO, Starz,
Who knows what will be added when the fall season ends
6 comments:
I'll go along with the cleaning - hate it! Showering - love it, need it. Family - love it, want it. The rest is easy - Gerard Butler! (and maybe some chocolate tossed in)
Mageela, love your list. I agreed that email, Twitter, and Facebook are time suckers, but I do love them. LOL
Now I know why I don't have Facebook and Twitter accounts. My favorite time waster is doing stuff with the hubby as we're both home now.
We all have our time wasters but I hope we all have inspiration too.
Mageela,
I couldn't help but smile. I'm not a big TV watcher, but I certainly can relate to all of the other items on your list. Great post!
I eliminated cleaning. DH does it.
Facebook, the minimum possible.
No TV or news, simply no time. Shower, emails and eating are my favorite distractions.
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