Playing With Her Shadow – Distractions to Writing

By Beth Ann Erickson, FilbertPublishing.com

I’ve got a crazy Rat Terrier.  She’s a puppy so most of what she does doesn’t make any sense.

I remember the day she found her shadow. 

She spent nearly an hour spinning, turning, lunging, digging into the carpet, and snapping at that dark specter that kept following her wherever she went. 

She reminded me of me. 

There are so many things to do every day.  I need to take care of my family.  I need to advertise my writing business.  I need to promote my books and newsletter. 

My desk’s a mess, I’ve got to answer my mail.  I’ve got queries to research, and I’ve GOT to take time to exercise or I’ll turn into a blimp.  And you should see the kitchen – SOMEBODY didn’t wash the supper dishes…. 

And then there’s Lucy.  God only knows what she’s destroyed recently. 

With all these distractions, it’s easy to feel like Lucy when she discovered her shadow.  I can spend the majority of each day chasing the shadows. 

But then I wouldn’t get any writing done.  And that’s the point of being a writer, isn’t it? 

So what are we supposed to do when another shadow lunges in front of us, begging for our attention? 

Here’s what I do:  I make a list and tape it to my computer screen. 

After my family commitments, writing comes first.  After I’m done with that, then I need to get my promotion/marketing/queries out, answer mail/e-mail, then comes keeping my office tidy, then the house cleaning, etc., etc., etc. 

But until I made that list I got a lot of shadow chasing done and precious little writing.

Here’s an assignment: 

Write your shadows in your journal.  Write them stream-of-conscious style – without over-thinking.  After you’ve written down all your shadows, make your list of the most important first priority first.  Then proceed from there.

When you get a chance, write your list on a Post-It® note and stick it to your computer monitor.  That’s where mine is. 

That way you’ll never forget what needs to be done first 

~~~

Beth Erickson is the publisher of Writing Etc. the FREE  emag for writers.  Make your writing sparkle.  Write killer copy.  Get published.  Subscribe and receive the free e-booklet “Power Queries” at: http://filbertpublishing.com  

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