Last week I posted a list of the top 5 distractions that can derail my writing time and productivity.

This week, I will share my strategies for conquering them and making my writing a priority.

Before I deal with each of the distractions separately, I have to say that my best solution to making sure I get my writing sessions in each week is to schedule them into my calendar as Writing Appointments. Once it’s on the calendar, it’s more likely to happen. I choose times I know I can get to my desk and then just do it.

THE INTERNET

As much as every writer knows the convenience of being able to utilize the world wide web for research, how-to articles, connections with other writers, step-by-step editing software and so much more, it can easily become a time suck.

So how do I resist the urge to be online when I need to get some writing done?

First and foremost, I either write in a notebook away from my devices, or I can use a device but not connect to the internet. This strategy works best for me.

But if you hate writing by hand, and you don’t have a device like the AlphaSmart or the FreeWrite, then turn off your Wifi when you’re writing. Put your phone on silent, or better yet, as I do, put it in another room where you won’t be tempted to check your messages.

And as a last resort, try using one of the apps, like Freedom, to block distracting apps and websites during your writing time.

THE RESEARCH RABBIT HOLE

I don’t know about you, but I love doing research. I love learning new things, even though most of the rabbit holes I end up going down aren’t giving me information useful to my current WIP.

So when I know I want/need to research, I set a timer, plain and simple. I allow myself thirty to forty-five minutes on that given day.

I make a list of exactly what I need to find out and stick to it (or on those days when I get distracted down a bunch of rabbit holes, my timer goes off, and if my list isn’t completed, it makes me more guarded about using my time more wisely at my next research session.

TEXTS/PHONE CALLS

For me, this one’s easy. I just don’t look. If I know I’m writing for an hour, I also know that in all likelihood my texts and calls can wait. Now, things were different when I had an ailing senior parent and knew that I could get a call any time, day or night, regarding his situation. But, even then, if I quickly checked to see who messaged, if it wasn’t about my dad, I waited until I was done with my writing session.

This takes discipline, but you can do it!

DO PEOPLE STILL DROP IN?

Unfortunately, in this instance, going to the door and saying, “I’m working right now,” didn’t work much of the time. The reply would be something like, “Oh, sorry to bother you. I just wanted to ask…” And wham. Pulled out of my writing flow 100%. And often, that means when I do get back to my desk, I can’t get back into the flow and the session is a bust.

So, I have had to resort to my self-imposed house rule. If I’m in my office writing, and I hear a knock at the door, I don’t answer. I simply do not get up and go to the door.

I know this makes me sound very uncaring, and really, that’s not me. I’m more than happy to enjoy the company of others. I would help someone if they needed something. But here’s the thing: 99.9% of the time, whatever it is, it can wait the one hour while I’m working on my writing. Instead of dropping in, send a text or leave a voicemail. As soon as I get it, I’ll respond.

And if it’s urgent (like for real), then keep knocking because that would certainly alert me that perhaps I do need to step away from the writing.

READING

As I indicated in last week’s post, I can live with the fact that sometimes, even though I know I should be writing, I choose, the operative word being choose, to read anyway.

But if I’m on a deadline and can’t seem to muster up the will to avoid the reading, I use reading time as a reward. If I do (insert appropriate writing task here), then I will reward myself with thirty minutes of reading time.

Also, I sometimes will juggle something else in my schedule, like making dinner from scratch that takes a half hour prep, to heating something from the freezer instead, thus freeing up some reading time, or even some writing time.

Distractions are everywhere. It’s how we handle them. These tactics have worked for me, but they likely won’t work for everyone. Try them and see what you think.

What distracts you from your writing, and how do you deal with it? Please post in the comments. I love hearing from you.