Ten Things to Distract Me...

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