Writing distractions and the things I use to overcome them

Concept Sketch by Samantha Vogelsang
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Writers often face a variety of obstacles to producing the books, plays, speeches, or whatever they may be writing.

Whether it is facing the distractions of a cascade of brilliant ideas, people asking about your reading, or the dark spectre of writers block; you can learn to overcome these in a number of ways.  I'm going to mention a few here.  Enjoy!

As I write, I find myself coming up with more ideas for future books.

I know most authors will probably admit to the same phenomena.  It can be distracting.

One thing I would like to suggest, is to treat as I have been.. which is how I handle it when I write in my other genres...  I write down the idea.. and put it away until I'm done writing for that session.

I would like to recommend that you find what ever may work for you, to preserve that brilliant flash of insight, yet put it out of your head while working on another title.

These ideas don't have to be fleshed out immediately, but it will help you to fully realize them if you will take just a moment and write out a summary of your idea.
Example:  "a children's book describing a natural process or phenomena that promotes science while pointing out the beauty of the natural occurrence.... think about how butterflies come out of cocoons."

A quick note can help preserve that flash of inspiration, as well as provide you with a deep well of ideas to keep writing from.
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Another thing I find cropping up, is that my children want me to read stories to them before they are done.

At first I thought this was a real difficulty, but I discovered it is an amazingly useful tool.
What I do now, is to tell the story as an oral narrative and use my kids' reactions as feedback for the story.

Don't get me wrong, I don't hem my kids in for product testing. That would be terrible.

I usually get a good bit of insight into the story from their reactions though.

This happens to be terrific for me.

Will it work for you too?  Try it and see.  (Then please comment below with your findings on it, please).

Bedtime stories to children is a good opportunity for you to bond with your children and to create stories that other children will enjoy for years to come.

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Writer's Block.... the horrible spectre of nothingness.

How do you overcome that dread feeling, where you feel as if your inspiration has dried up?

How can you just write when you don't have a story bubbling up in you to be told?

It is not easy.

The first thing you have to do, is keep writing.  Write what you did today.  Write a letter to a friend.
Write about how much you don't like writer's block.  Write, and write, and write.  Keep the habit going.  Personally, I once stopped writing due to writer's block and it took me years to get back to writing.  Once I came back to putting words to page, any time I feel a bit "empty" of ideas, I just write.  It works.

The next thing you have to do, is not blame yourself, freak out, or become depressed.  Every writer I have ever spoken to or heard speak in public, has admitted to suffering writers block at some point.
It can be natural, but it will keep you from writing if you let yourself feel powerless against it.
Don't blame others, don't blame yourself, just accept that you will get over it and proceed to the next step...

As a third step in overcoming this spectre... read.  Take some time for you, read things you enjoy, play with your children or grandchildren, go to a park and walk around, kiss your spouse, and just enjoy life a bit.  Recharge your batteries a bit, is the take away on this point.  You should take some time to live in your own skin and away from the pages.

I hope this little nugget of helpful hints will help you keep writing.

Create and bring joy through your words.

I write under the pen name W.S. Quinton.  I hope you will enjoy my work as it comes out.

I hope you will join me next time, for more on my work in children's books.
Please do share this blog with people who may be interested, please.

Comments and questions are welcome.

Thank you for joining me today.


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