Head banging time

[ostarella]

I got three more pages written on my contest story, and some notes for a couple holiday shorts that are "due"; nothing today on Covenant, but...

But I have to figure out some way of concentrating for longer periods of time. I have taken the adage "Write 15 minutes every day" to new heights - because I write for 15-20 minutes and then all thoughts disappear in a fog and I'm off and wandering about the house or the internet or just mindlessly sitting. And then an hour or so later, BANG! I have to start writing because it's just suddenly there waiting to hit the 'paper'.

It's really starting to bug me. I've always had a short attention span but it seems like it just gets worse all the time. Or my reaction to it is. The more I try to force myself to stay focused, the more jittery and blank-minded I go. I mean, it seems to be "working" - these short frenzied periods of productivity - but it does nothing for my peace of mind. I'm hoping it's just another symptom of cabin fever and once I'm more mobile vis a vis the weather, I'll be able to settle down with more determination. At least once it's nice out, I can grab a notebook and pen and go out in the garden to write.

So maybe that's it - now that it's warming up, what miniscule bit of patience with winter that I had has just flown out the coop. Gawd...

Comments

[beckyblack]

I have a terrible attention span. I've been improving it a bit recently by reading for nice long chunks. And also by not turning the PC on as soon as I walk in the door!

When I'm working on the weekend I often do times sessions with the countdown timer on my phone. Seems to help keep me focused for the writing time and then countdown the break and back to work!

[billy-shriner.livejournal.com]

I think Stephen King says write 1000 words a day... maybe that should be your new target. ???

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

My biggest problem with setting a time limit or a number of words is - well, it's like the last ten minutes of a work day where there's been absolutely nothing to do and your boss won't let you do anything non-work related. That antsy feeling almost gets to the point where you want to scream at the clock to "move already!". If I try to sit and write (actually, if I try to do anything) after a certain amount of time I start twiddling with pens and wiggling my toes and staring out the windows - everything a kid does during Sunday sermon :p

Oh well. As long as I get something accomplished - and make a lot of notes so I don't forget stuff in between - I guess I'll manage. I'm just hoping it goes away soon so I can enjoy those long marathon sessions again.