Problems with focus -- Advice needed!

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Blue Jay
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31 May 2008, 4:11 pm

I absolutely love to write stories but lately, I have been unable to work on them because of how I am easily distracted. I'll be working on a story, and then, I'll be surfing on the web or listening to music or something like that. Does anyone know of any methods that could help me focus better?



5thelement
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
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31 May 2008, 4:34 pm

well, what I do is to go somewhere else with my notebook - like a quiet cafe, have a coffee and just get on with it - I find this works as there is little else I can do in a place like that - I can't really get distracted then as 'it's head down' as i don't want to sit there feeling akward as i'm on my own - and if I start to get really busy with the writing then no one interrupts or tries to make eye contact etc...........I realise this could be off putting for obvious reasons - it's in public and not very private, but if the cafe is a quiet one then it works for me - it forces me to focus and concentrate.

Also how about working outside in a park - or a specific place that inspires you with your story.



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Blue Jay
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31 May 2008, 4:38 pm

I see... thank you for your advice. :D :D :D :D



5thelement
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
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31 May 2008, 5:52 pm

:) I hope these are possible options for you -- it occured to me after posting my suggestions that maybe because of your age and being female you may not be able to just go wherever you like when you like - I know I wasn't at your age - but that was centuries ago and with very strict parents!
I don't know where you are based and what your local environment offers or how supportive your family are etc etc , so sorry if this all sounds patronising - but stay safe ok? just felt i had to say that ,

best of luck ,

'5th'



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Blue Jay
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31 May 2008, 6:19 pm

:D Thank you for your concern.



pakled
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31 May 2008, 8:34 pm

I've read several interviews with authors, and many of them work odd hours (early morning, late night), when everyone is in bed.

Turn off the internet, you know we'll only distract you...;) (i.e, don't have the browser up)

I start with an idea. Usually...'ok, that's a cliche`, but what if this happened instead?...;)
Most of this tends to happen in the shower, just waking up, going to sleep, stuck in traffic, usual places...;)

I write (badly..;), and what I tend to do is just let the story flow through my mind, deciding on various dialog, details, plot twists, etc. I'll sit down and type the 'bones' (what I call it...;) of it, hanging disjointed scenes together. Then I'll reread, and rewrite, filling out descriptions, more dialog, etc.



Then I go through it, looking for spelling mistakes (thank you, Word...;), grammar, continuity, etc. Then convert it to a suitable format and post.