Writing Annoyances Blocking Productivity: Top 5 Barriers to Focused Composition
In the world of writing, finding uninterrupted concentration can be a challenge. Two renowned authors, Margaret Atwood and ARHuelsenbeck, have shared their insights on overcoming distractions and maintaining focus.
Margaret Atwood, best known for her dystopian masterpiece "The Handmaid's Tale," emphasises that writing is the greatest enemy of writing due to its disruption of uninterrupted concentration. In a YouTube ad for her MasterClass, she highlights the constant interruptions by other people as the great enemy of writing.
ARHuelsenbeck, a blogger and writer working on a YA mystical fantasy and a Bible study guide, identifies family as the biggest source of interruption in writing. To negotiate undisturbed time for writing, she suggests communicating with family members and setting clear boundaries, such as posting a sign that says "Writer at work. Do not disturb until 4:00 PM."
Both authors agree that household tasks can be a distraction during writing. ARHuelsenbeck advises turning the phone off during writing time to avoid distractions and closing the door to one's work space, committing to working the allotted time. She also suggests shaking things up by going somewhere else to write.
On the other hand, doing mindless tasks like ironing or polishing windows can free the imagination and provide new ideas for one's work-in-progress. Atwood and ARHuelsenbeck both stress the importance of an insightful critique partner for improving one's manuscript. The critique partner acts as a sounding board for concerns and can suggest changes, additions, or rephrasing to help take the manuscript to the next level.
Writing isn't just churning out manuscripts. It involves brainstorming, researching, outlining, rewriting, editing, marketing, networking, and maintaining a presence on social media. To balance one's time and prioritise what needs to be done, the authors suggest scheduling these writing-related tasks.
ARHuelsenbeck invites readers to share their biggest distractions when writing and how they counteract them in the comments below. She can be followed on Twitter and seen on Instagram, where she blogs about the arts and the creative process at ARHtistic License. Currently, she is submitting a poetry chapbook and has mystery and MG drafts waiting.
Joyce Carol Oates, in a YouTube ad for her MasterClass, echoes Atwood's sentiments, stating that the great enemy of writing is not one's lack of talent, but constant interruptions by other people. By following these tips from Atwood and ARHuelsenbeck, writers can create an environment conducive to uninterrupted concentration and productive writing.
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