Distractions

In our busy world, distractions are a part of life.  As an amateur writer with a job outside of writing and two young children, distractions are unavoidable.  So, the writer has two options for how to handle these distractions.  First, he or she could allow the distractions to get the best of them thereby not accomplishing what he or she wants to.  Or he or she could use the distractions as fuel for the story.  Let me explain what I mean by that.

Sometimes, it is important for a writer to step away from his or her story in order to gain a new perspective on the present scene or situation.  We often get invested deeply in the lives of our characters and begin to seek to control their lives and actions.  A distraction can draw us away for a second and allow us to reset a bit so that our characters have a chance to "tell us" what is going to happen to them or how they are about to act.  A distraction can also give us a boost of energy.  If we allow ourselves to view these distractions as opportunities instead of challenges, they can move our story in new directions and provide for some wonderful new avenues of exploration and creativity.  Our challenge is to open ourselves to those distractions and allow life to help write our story instead or trying to control it all ourselves.

So, to the those of you reading this as a distraction from your writing, may you be granted clarity for your story and the energy to write it well!