The Power of Distractions in the Writing Process with Guest Olivia Blacke and a #giveaway
By Liz, happy to welcome Olivia Blacke, author of the Record Shop Mysteries, to the blog! I love what she’s talking about today – I’ve been thinking a lot about writing when you’re not in front of the screen, and Olivia is a master at using her non-computer time to write. I’ll let her tell you. Take it away, Olivia!
We’ve all heard it before: “If I had more time, I’d write a book.”
Writers have the same 24 hours a day everyone else does. We have friends, families, and obligations like everyone else. Most of us have a job (or jobs!) outside of writing. And on top of that, we still need to eat (three meals a day? Ridiculous!) and sleep (8 hours a day? Please!). In order to find time to write, something has got to give.
So, how do I make time to write without giving up all the things I love without adding more hours in the day? It’s all about getting creative and using distractions to my advantage. Of course, there is no one-size-fits all solution for finding time to write. Every author has unique challenges competing for their time and energy, and what works looks different for everyone.
For me, dedicated keyboard time is limited to weekends, but that’s not the only time I’m writing. Ordinary life responsibilities are always distracting me, but when I’m doing dishes, I’m working on character development. If I’m writing and get stuck, instead of staring at the screen, I take a long shower (Aqua Notes are my best friend!). I might forget to rinse the conditioner out of my hair, but now I know what needs to happen in the next scene. Even mealtimes can be useful if I turn off the TV and have actual conversations with real humans.
I also love to read. It’s a distraction from writing, but it relaxes me. It fills the well. It helps keep me current with what’s selling and gives me the opportunity to blurb books and authors I admire. But who has time to read? I used to read on my commute, but now that I’m not spending an hour each way on Metro every day, I have to find (or make!) time to read. Books on tape are my secret weapon – I can listen to them while I’m driving or cooking. If I’m a passenger in a car/train/plane, I’m waiting on a friend, or it’s the intermission of a hockey game, I’ve got my nose stuck in an e-reader. And when I can’t sleep at night, instead of rewatching Buffy for the nth time, I’m reading.
Whenever possibly, I use the time I’m not writing to figure out where my story is going so once I’m finally in front of the keyboard for however long I’ve carved out of a busy week, I’m typing. But in order to do that, I have to choose my distractions during the day wisely. Television and social media are fun, but my brain is preoccupied instead of working. A long walk, a soothing crochet project, or even a trip to the grocery store gives me time to plot. So if you’re ever at a writer’s house and the laundry is half-done or dinner is cereal (again), give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they got distracted by some fabulous plot twist!
Readers: What’s one distraction in your life that you could use to your advantage to find time to read or write? I’m giving away one signed copy of Rhythm and Clues to a random commenter. Open to U.S. readers only.
About the book:
It’s raining murder in the third book in the Record Shop Mysteries by Olivia Blacke, Rhythm and Clues. It’s been months since Juni Jessup and her sisters solved the last murder in Cedar River when disaster strikes again. After a sketchy financier dies outside Sip & Spin Records during a torrential Texas thunderstorm and the overflowing river spits out a macabre surprise, can they catch the killer without missing a beat? The rhythm is gonna get you!
OLIVIA BLACKE (she/her), author of the Record Shop Mysteries and Brooklyn Murder Mysteries writes murderously fun, cozy, and caffeinated mysteries. Olivia is a little nerdy, a lot awkward, and just the right amount of weird. She wants to be a unicorn when she grows up. Connect with Olivia on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or check out her website OliviaBlacke.com, where you can join her newsletter.
