Distractions… Distractions… Distractions

by Elaine Marie Carnegie-Padgett

Back this week in the Challenges Faced by Writers... This week we'll discuss "Distractions!"

The Art and Challenge of Consistency in Writing

Writing is a craft that demands dedication, and an unwavering commitment. One of the key elements in producing high-quality work is maintaining consistency. However, achieving consistency is no easy feat. It requires us to constantly refine our skills.

One of the greatest challenges I faced as a beginning writer and still fight to this day is distraction. I will begin researching the Cretaceous Period, and divert to avian dinosaurs since I am planning to introduce a prehistoric bird into my story. Then I will see Phanerozoic Eon and I have no idea what it is, so I look it up… The trail is never-ending, and I wind up with unlimited trivia floating around in my brain.

More importantly, I have killed two hours when I should have been writing.

In today’s world, it is easy to become sidetracked. To combat this, we can employ techniques to enhance focus and concentration. The most important thing is finding what works for you!

What helped me the most was creating a dedicated writing environment that I enjoyed. I set up near a window, I like the open feeling. My immediate desk is clean (ish) and contains things I need close at hand, like a coffee cup and coaster, and a note pad. I also dedicate a specific time to write. This might involve setting up a quiet space, turning off your phone, or adopting specific routines to start a productive writing session.

A habit I adopted was mindfulness and meditation. Mainly, I think it was the routine of setting up the practice, then setting up my desk and sitting down to write in the allotted time I had established. It helped me center myself and it was not as hard to fight the distractions that are part of everyday life.

Another problem I faced was unrealistic goals. Mine was word count. I began by setting a word count for my day. Mistake, for me! When I did word count, I found some days the work flowed like my muse was sitting on my shoulder. Other days I struggled and still never reached the goal. It created frustration and the next day I hated to sit down. That feeling is why I changed to a “minimum time” instead of a “minimum word count.” Now, I work with time, two hours a day. Some days I write six hours, but always at least two. It works for me.

As I said, finding what works for you is the most important priority. Setting clear and achievable goals can provide direction and purpose, helping to keep us on track. Sometimes breaking tasks into smaller, manageable segments can make the writing process less overwhelming and more fun, maintain motivation, and reduce the tendency to drift away from the task.

Consistency builds trust with your audience. When readers encounter engaging narrative that they enjoy or that teaches them something, they are more likely to trust the writer and continue reading. Consistency strengthens the writer's voice, making their work more recognizable and impactful. A consistent style allows the writer to convey their message more effectively while reaching a wider audience.

Despite its importance, maintaining consistency in writing is a demanding task. We must navigate fluctuating inspiration, rejections, deadlines, differing subject matter, and changing personal lives. Each of these factors can impact your work, making it difficult to reach your goals. However, a writer's voice is their unique signature, distinguishing their work from others in a crowded and challenging landscape today. A strong, consistent voice ensures that the writer's message resonates with their audience, and leaves a lasting impression.

Like any other skill, writing improves with practice. Setting aside dedicated time for writing each day helps to build discipline and hone one's craft. Whether it's journaling, drafting essays, or working on creative projects, consistent practice fosters improvement and helps maintain a steady writing style and voice.

Ultimately, the effort invested in maintaining consistency will pay off, resulting in a body of work that resonates with readers and stands the test of time.

Soon, I am going to do an article on “Procrastination,” my most deadly enemy! Hope you found some inspiration in this week’s info.

See you soon!