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Welcome to the first Open Book Blog Hop of 2021. This week the topic is:
‘How do you keep focused during long writing sessions?’
When I started writing novels back in 2013 I could write for hours to the exclusion of everything else. After I had been writing for a year or so I learned that I had to build a writer platform to get noticed. To do this I had to engage on social media with writing groups and other authors, and … reader… that’s where the rot set in.
The little red notifications on Twitter and Facebook and the orange ‘bell’ notification on WordPress meant that there was a new comment to answer. I didn’t want to store them all up and answer them in one long session on social media, and I didn’t want people to think their comments were going unanswered. Therefore I answered comments as they came in. Big mistake! I found I was constantly checking all my social media sites for emails and new notifications, and my concentration went out of the window. It was also tempting to check my KDP, Draft2Digital, ACX, BookFunnel and IngramSpark accounts every day to discover whether I’d had any new book downloads/sales. Then there was Amazon and Goodreads to look at to see if I had any reviews. I also had to think of new blogs to write to keep readers interested, and keep my website up to date. Long writing sessions became a thing of the past, and so did hours spent curled up reading a book.
Eight years on I find that I don’t do much creative writing at all now, but that I spend far too much time engaging on social media. Last year I deleted my Facebook account in disgust at myself, and also LinkedIn and various other minor social media sites. All I tend to use now are Twitter, BookFunnel/Mailchimp and WordPress, but I still cannot find much motivation to write. I’m 17000 words into a new novel, and it’s very slow going. I might finish it this year, or I might not.
Sigh.
Perhaps it’s the pandemic and all the upset of 2020, but at the moment my concentration is shot through too much engagement on social media. It all seems such a faff for very little reward. Throughout 2020 I’ve had more pleasure cycling the country lanes on my bike and visiting my caravan on the Isle of Wight. As soon as I get the chance we’ll get on that ferry again and hop over the Solent.
But hey, today I’ve made a big decision that I’m going to stick with throughout 2021 and hopefully beyond that; it’s my New Year’s resolution. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the two days when I do not work as a medical secretary, I am going to switch off my phone and use these as writing days only. I will not log into any social media sites on my computer, and therefore will not engage with anybody except my fictional characters. There. I’ve said it. It’s time to stop the merry-go-round, improve my concentration and actually do some work. Rest assured you’ll get a reply from me to any comment or message from Thursday afternoons when I come home from work round to Monday evenings. Two days off social media each week will hopefully stop me feeling as though I have to keep checking for notifications, sales, reviews and messages all the time. It’s crazy. I never used to be like this. I now realise I cannot write and keep up with social media sites at the same time. Things have to change.
Roll on Tuesday!
Do other writers manage to keep focused? Click on the blue button below to find out.
Amani Salahudeen said:
I usually use my notes app or a notebook to keep track of ideas that might pop up during the day 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes, notebooks are good for me too.
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Leon Stevens said:
I don’t force my writing. I do try to write everyday, either for my blog, or my next project.
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Stevie Turner said:
I write on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and only look at social media in the evenings on those days.
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Elise Ho said:
I just adore writing. It is such a happy place for me
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Stevie Turner said:
And me.
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lesliesholly said:
That is inspirational. I also have resolved to write more this year.
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Stevie Turner said:
Me too, and to ditch social media more often! Thanks for your comment.
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Paola K said:
Nice post! I felt identified ☺️
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Stevie Turner said:
Thank you. I think a lot of people identify with it.
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alexcraigie said:
A much needed bit of advice – thanks!
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Stevie Turner said:
You’re welcome.
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CarolCooks2 said:
I hear you, Stevie…Social media is a killer…I use my timer as it is the only way to keep me focused and know when I have to knead my bread again…I hope your plan works for you…Happy New Year and writing 🙂 xx
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Carol. Having 2 days off social media works for me. Happy New Year to you too! x
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CarolCooks2 said:
That’s good to hear, Stevie 🙂 x
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AEM said:
All the yes. I want to write more, and media less. I’ve cut out media, too. Hopefully I’ll get back into the noveling more.
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Stevie Turner said:
I think many writers feel the way we do. Social media can be overpowering if you let it.
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Liz Gauffreau said:
Sounds like a good strategy! I’ve found that setting aside a full day for writing has been a big help.
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes, it’s helped me too. I wrote over 2500 words, which I would not have done otherwise.
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dgkaye said:
Good for you Stevie! 🙂 x
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Debby. x
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robertawrites235681907 said:
Your approach to social media is quite different to mine, Stevie. I have set times I allocate to social media. I blog in the early mornings from 5am to 6.30am on weekdays [I do the washing and drying during this time too] and then again for 1 hour after supper [and dishes]. I then get my sons to sort themselves out for the next school day, sports kit and bags packed for school, and then I ensure they get their evening ablutions going [I still have to chase my young one or he may skip showering]. We then all read for at least 1 hour before bed. I don’t write every day. I write on a Friday afternoon [If I get my half day] and for 2 hours early in the morning on Saturday and Sunday. If possible, I sometimes write on a Sunday afternoon.
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Stevie Turner said:
I get up for work at 05:40 and there’s no time to write. By the time I get home there’s hundreds of notifications to check out. Two days off work and off notifications suits me better.
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robertawrites235681907 said:
Yes, it does make sense for you. We all have to work out what works for us in our individual circumstances.
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D. Wallace Peach said:
I like you decision to dedicate two full days to writing, Stevie. I may consider doing the same. 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!
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Stevie Turner said:
My pleasure. It works too!
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Pingback: How to Keep Focus During Long Writing Sessions#OpenBookBlogHop #WordPressWednesday | Pattys World
Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for linking up.
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Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Daily – Wednesday January 6th 2021 – Stevie Turner, Mary Smith, Jean Lee | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for linking up, Sally. x
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Pingback: Staying Focused #Open Book Blog Hop, Wednesday Words – My Corner
Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for linking up.
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aurorawatcherak said:
The election was a huge distraction this year, but I’m also finding writing apocalyptic fiction during a pandemic feels anti-climatic. People are reading the books, but I kind of feel like it’s not a break from reality. But then I switch over to my YA/NA and that feels like I’m truly writing fiction. Will anyone ever interact on a normal human level again? The longer this goes on, the less I feel like it will ever happen.
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Stevie Turner said:
Hopefully the vaccine would have given us some semblance of normality come May/June time.
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aurorawatcherak said:
That’s might be the hope, but Fauci is telling us that we’ll still have to wear masks and do all the other things — including lockdowns — that we’re doing now. He’s at least being honest that this “vaccine” is not really a vaccine and we really don’t know how effective it will be. We know what we hope it will do, but because there were no long-term tests, we really don’t know what it WILL do. Fingers crossed, though. Fauci has been so wrong about so much that he could be wrong about this too.
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Stevie Turner said:
I think it’s all been done too quick. I’m glad I’m not in the first roll-out. I’m debating whether to have it at all.
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aurorawatcherak said:
Reblogged this on aurorawatcherak.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the re-blog, Lela.
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P.J. MacLayne said:
Now that the US election is basically over (can’t wait until the fat lady sings) I don’t dread going on FB as much as I did. But I still limit my time- and don’t stay logged in all day.
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Stevie Turner said:
Good idea. I gave up FB.
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Phil Huston said:
“It all seems such a faff for very little reward.” Indeed. Why I follow very few blogs and from what I’ve tripped over the internet “community” isn’t making me a better writer. “Peer” reviews are useless. Everyone has a suggestion for the author platform, everyone has a trite clipart trend speak marketing solution, and as a reader I am generally disillusioned with what the “Indie” community puts up as readable. Not unlike television. If it’s finish tiling my backsplash or OMG I have to get a post together the post is off the table. Nobody gives a shit. Social Media could be shortened to Social Me, because that’s what happening. Rare sharing of insight, lots of here’s my latest and greatest turd in the great punchbowl of day old poop in a pretty wrapper. The Alatorre/Robbie circle jerk of people who interview each other to be getting interviewed and reviewed makes me want to vomit.
I decided a couple of years ago that I’d follow a handful of bloggers who do something interesting and well. You’re still on that list, but many have fallen away because they’re awful, or boring as f*ck or not competent enough in their own right to help. So I’m spending time helping myself. Which you are about do. Here’s the deal, and I heard this from a high school valedictorian, not a social genius. When asked how she made her grades and got so many scholarship offers she said “Turn off FaceBook and all that. Because, like at the end of the day? How many ‘friends’ do you really have who are there for you instead of themselves?”
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes, the me, me, me aspect of it all sucks big time, and as you say, the majority are only on social media to further their own interests. I’m quite disillusioned with it all to be honest. However, I’m glad I’m still on your list!
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Phil Huston said:
It’s dwindled down to around 8. But I like your take on things and there are some killer scenes in your books.
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Stevie Turner said:
Lol. Has A—–re got the elbow?
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Phil Huston said:
Long ago. The man is a lunatic or a first class narcissist. I pointed out some blatant BS in a document he “edited” and right off the bat he threw back an email with saltier language than most of my characters, even the strippers and bad guys. His redirect was name calling and profanity for a question where I asked what the game was. No profanity, nothing. What he sent back,after that reminded me of the first part of this sketch. I came for an argument and got
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Stevie Turner said:
I don’t think he’s as active on social media as he used to be.
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Clive said:
Good luck! Hope the plan works well for you.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Clive. I hope so.
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beetleypete said:
Good luck with your writing days, Stevie. Life must always come before blogging!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Stevie Turner said:
Yep. I’ve scheduled a couple of blogs, and this phone’s going off later on for 2 days.
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richarddeescifi said:
One of the few benefits of being introverted is the ability to keep a low profile on social media. It leaves a lot more time for writing.
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Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. said:
I managed to do more reading and reviewing in 2020 by setting up an arm chair next to my desk which is where I sit now every afternoon for an hour with a book. As to writing the projects are lined up and I have set aside the weekends to work on them and will only be popping into the blog to respond to comments.. xx
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Stevie Turner said:
I need to kill it all for a couple of days every week. It’s just become overwhelming and my concentration levels are shot and need to return by having no distractions. I’m sure it will work for me. I need to break this addiction and be in control!
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Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. said:
I agree with you Stevie.. especially when you are working full-time. xxx
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Darlene said:
I hear you! Social media has certainly chipped away at my writing time.
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Stevie Turner said:
And mine. It’s got to stop.
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Chris Hall said:
Just write!! (When you can).
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Chris. Yes I will – on Tuesdays and Wednesdays!
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