25 Ways to Write While Distracted

When it comes to writing fiction I need uninterrupted time to write new pages and to do intense editing. I get, hmm, shall I say irritated when I’ve let my mind enter that other world and I get yanked back out of it to negotiate some sibling rivalry.

During the NaNoWriMo challenge last November I posted a blog called Over 30 Ways to Keep Kids Busy so You Can Write. It was a list of independent activities to occupy your kids so you could get some uninterrupted writing time. Today’s blog is the the companion to that list. A list of activities the writer can do during writing times when interruptions are inevitable.

So here is my list of things I can do while the kids are up and about and need access to a non-irritated mother.

1. research for WIP (online or books)

2. catch up on industry news

3. study the craft of writing—online; reading writing books, review notes from classes

4. highlight sections of my WIP to analyze later

5. goal setting/review

6. read books—in my genre, others

7. read aloud to the kids using books I’m analyzing

8. analyze beginnings and endings of other’s books

9. brainstorm ideas

10. take a trip to the library

11. browse ebay for WIP-related items (historical memorabilia, research)

12. clean the house so I’ll be ready to write later

13. blogs—read and write

14. research agents/markets

15. write observations of my children: how do they sound, act at their current ages

16. journal about where I’m at in my writing

17. use sticky notes to chart my plot/character development ala Kitty’s monster chart.

18. marketing (how-to books; try things out, brainstorm for WIP)

19. learn more about blogging; improve current website

20. put together playlist (historical time period)

21. find photos to represent my characters and setting

22. keep a bag of writing-on-the-go activities that I can toss in the car when I head out to the kids swim lessons.: books, notes, pen, mp3 player

23. organize my desk and computer files

24. write thank you notes

25. write a to-do list to tackle when I’ve got time to focus