by Ann McCauley
If we seriously want to write, we need to have tunnel vision to focus on our projects. There is simply no substitute for hard work. And don’t let anyone tell you writing is easy. It is not. Never has been and never will be.
Focus is not an easy state of being for creative writers’minds. After all, the act of creating is a free-thinking activity, the kind of thinking that tends to jump from one thing to another. We writers must beware of allowing our creative energy to be blown asunder by the winds of busyness. I carry a small tablet and make notes as things come to mind that I want to include in my writing.
If you’re serious about writing, schedule writing time on your calendar or day planner. Give the writing slot the same priority you give a hair appointment or a dentist or doctor appointment. You will be amazed with the fruits of your focused hard work.
Many successful writers do not open their email or check social media until after their designated writing time. It is like a self-reward that has to be earned. They also do not take phone calls unless it is a life-or-death message. At least this is what they say they do.
I believe it is mostly true. Since I feel like I’m always at least four steps behind the writing goals I set for myself, I decided to try to emulate those serious successful writers.
I vowed not to check emails until I’d written four pages. Then I’d see a pop-up on the bottom of the computer screen — a friend had left me a message. I vowed to ignore it until later. And I smiled because I maintained my focus. The phone rang and I let the answering machine pick it up. I smiled and patted myself on the back. My cell phone beeped. OK, I peeked to see who sent me the text. BUT I did not read it. The dryer buzzed to let me know the load of towels were dry. I left them in the dryer for later. I tried hard to use my tunnel vision and lose myself in the story I was writing.
My dog rubbed against my leg. I reached down and petted him, and absentmindedly muttered, “Good boy, lie down.” He laid down briefly and then ambled off.
Immediately I was back in the tunnel, totally focused on the world I was creating on my computer screen. Then the doorbell rang. I peeked out the window and saw it was FedEx. I had to sign for a package my husband was expecting.
On my way to the door, I discovered why the dog was seeking my attention. I signed for the package. My focus was seriously disrupted as I cleaned up the dog’s accident, BUT I couldn’t punish him when I had blatantly ignored his cues to go outside.
I went back to the computer and had to reread my last page to see where I was at with my writing. Nowhere close to where I’d hoped to be. The phone rang again and again, the email pop-ups continued, and the text messages kept beeping.
Finally, I decided to take a break. How do those dedicated writers really do the tunnel-vision, totally focused writing?
The distractions of everyday life continue to unfold around me as I struggle onward with my writing. Yet, there really are those rare remarkable chunks of time when the stars align and my energy and concentration are synchronized. And the writing flows. Meanwhile, until all my writing sessions are like that, I will continue to make writing notes on the run to use in my scheduled focused writing sessions.
- Ann McCauley
