In case you’re wondering what happened to this week’s post, Let Attention Residue Work for Your Writing, it’s still in progress. As soon as my swollen and over-active sinuses stop strangling my brain and the sniffling, sneezing, aching, coughing, stuffy head, fever, so I can’t think virus is done with me, I’ll be able to … More PTO – Back Next Week
NOTE: I apologize if the timing of this post dismayed or offended anyone — I scheduled it to post on September 29 before leaving town and internet connections behind. It was only co-incidence that it appeared the same day as the horrible train crash in Hoboken, NJ. Imagine you’re the engineer of a long train … More Don’t Let ‘Attention Residue’ Derail Your Writing
Scheduling distractions? Seems like an oxymoron. In a previous post, I encouraged you to reserve time for your writing. Imagine my surprise when I read Cal Newport, author of Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, recommend that instead of scheduling time for focused work, like writing, we benefit more from scheduling … More Why Writers Should Schedule Distractions
Two weeks ago, Claudia and I drove to a vacation cabin near Grand Rapids. We arrived in late afternoon, got settled in and listened to the loons as the sun set. The next morning, I slept in. We enjoyed breakfast on the deck and walked the dogs. I read a bit. I flipped through magazines. … More My Name is Rosanne, I’m a Writer and Distraction Addict
“Writing reservations” could mean reservations about writing (aka resistance) or it could refer to the time you reserve for your writing. How can you get a reservation for a relaxed writing experience at a fine writing table without freaking yourself out about how big and significant the reserved time is? Because if you don’t define … More Does Your Writing Have a Reservation?
Creativity is born of inefficiency and uncertainty. Unfortunately, your brain does not welcome uncertainty. Because the human brain, which makes up only 3% of the body’s mass, uses 20 to 30% of the body’s oxygen and glucose, it evolved to be as energy-efficient as possible. Uncertainty is simply not efficient. Why question what you already … More Writers Must Surrender Certainty
Some of my students and clients fret about investing time and energy in an idea that might not develop. They worry that it’ll take too long to finish a piece. They want to be efficient. Other students and clients resist making time for Process because they don’t want to waste time playing around. They want … More Writers Must Abandon Efficiency
We are more easily distracted than we were ten years ago. Every day, far more things compete for our attention than at any other time in history. Most of those things are distractions and irrelevant tangents. So how can you navigate through all the opportunities to distract yourself? How can you reserve time for writing? … More Can Distractions Actually Help Your Writing?
The gap between finishing one writing project and starting the next can look like writer’s block. It’s not. The contrast can be startling. You were focused and engaged, busy drafting, revising and polishing. You rightfully felt proud of your effort and gratified with the result. Then suddenly, you’re not. Not doing anything apparently. What’s wrong … More What Else Looks Like Writer’s Block But Isn’t
One of the things commonly mistaken for writer’s block is simple unpreparedness. You’re not writing because you’re not ready to write. How many steps do you think there are between getting a great idea and writing? It’s more than you think. Go ahead and list the steps for yourself. Then come back and we’ll compare … More Looks Like Writer’s Block, But It’s Not
Bane of Your Resistance 