Interruptions

samoht9 · Apr 22, 2009

I don't know if this is the proper area to place this, but I figured it fit since it is technically a general writing question.

What do you do when somebody comes up and interrupts you while you are writing? I have it happen to me quite frequently and I always make myself get the last thought out before I focus on them. However once I attempt to go back to the computer or notebook to finish up what I was doing I can't seem to focus. For whatever reason it feels like writing becomes work that I don't want to do instead of the thing I have just been enjoying for the last half hour.

Just trying to get a feel for what others do when this type of situation arises.

TheIT · Apr 22, 2009

Always annoying when one's train of thought gets derailed.

How much interrruptions bother me depends on how deep I am in my writing at the time. I try to capture the last thought before responding to an interruption. When going back to writing, I usually back up a bit and reread what I just wrote in order to find my place. Sometimes I just pick up where I left off, sometimes I lose the trail. I comfort myself with the thought that no matter what, I'll end up writing something. Might not be what I originally imagined, but I trust myself enough to know that I'll put words on the page that I'll be able to rework later.

Remember that writing is rewriting. You'll be going over those words again and can find the best way to express the idea.

Stijn Hommes · Apr 23, 2009

I rarely get interrupted because I either write on the bus, in the library or in the comfort of my own bedroom. In the last case, I warn my housemates that I'm writing and that I prefer not to be interrupted unless the house burns down.

Unplug the phone and get some standard writing time agreed on by everyone on the house, so you can write uninterrupted.

P.S. Make sure you give them plenty of attention after you return to the land of the living.

Izz · Apr 23, 2009

Yeah, make sure that people know you're writing so that interruptions can be minimalized.

If you have young kids and can't really avoid being interrupted I don't think there's an easy solution. Perhaps quickly jotting down on a notepad where you wanted to go next might help.

bonitakale · Apr 23, 2009

When I had young children, I did my writing when the house was empty -- they were at school or preschool, and my husband was at work. I know that's not a solution everyone can use, but can you find an hour or two you can keep sacrosanct? Filter your calls, put a lock (or at least a hook and eye) on the room you use, and announce that this time is yours only. Period. Pretend you're having dialysis and can't get up. If you have small children, let them stay up later, and keep up that afternoon nap. Or start going to bed at nine and getting up at four. Or write away from home, in a park or a coffee shop or a library.

Nothing is always successful, but usually something will work most of the time.

(If you have both a family and a job, I have only admiration and respect, and no advice at all.)

Bufty · Apr 23, 2009

It would help if you gave us an idea of where you write and what the interruptions are.

Are you able to give advance notice to offenders that such and such are your writing times - no disturbing allowed.

scarletpeaches · Apr 23, 2009

Repeat after me:

"I'm writing. Fuck off. If you refuse to accept how important this is to me, our friendship is at an end."

thethinker42 · Apr 23, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
Repeat after me:

"I'm writing. Fuck off. If you refuse to accept how important this is to me, our friendship is at an end."

And yet, no matter how many times I say it, you still ping me on MSN...

*ducks and runs*

scarletpeaches · Apr 23, 2009

If you want me to send you chapter seven, you might want to rethink that attitude, missy.

thethinker42 · Apr 23, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
If you want me to send you chapter seven, you might want to rethink that attitude, missy.

Like I said, you tolerate my shameless interruptions and put up with my messaging when you're trying to write.

Please send chapter 7.

Wayne K · Apr 23, 2009

I find more that I am a distraction than the other way around. When I'm in a groove the distraction doesn't bother me as much as someone not accepting that I'm busy and giving me a few minutes to finish what I'm doing before getting to whatever the hell it is that they find important., and for that I refer you to SP's OP.

Aggy B. · Apr 23, 2009

I do my best to try and write at the same time(s) every day. If I don't succeed in one time slot I just try the next. The periods I schedule for writing coincide with baby's nap and my husband being either out of the house or busy with his own stuff.

If dealing with a friend/roommate situation I usually made a big announcement. ("I am going to go write for a while.") Then I would put headphones on, crank up some music and write.

I generally find it works better to give people a heads-up that you're going to be writing rather than trying to chase them off once you've started.

Adam · Apr 23, 2009

I stop writing, turn to face them, and stare vacantly until they go away.

Unless I like them, then I engage in mind numbing conversation while dropping hints that they should go away and leave me be.

scarletpeaches said:
Repeat after me:

"I'm writing. Fuck off. If you refuse to accept how important this is to me, our friendship is at an end."

If you ever bring out a series of motivational tapes, let me know.

Little Bird · Apr 23, 2009

Sure, it's nice not to be interrupted, but if your interruptions happen to be people you love, and they're with you almost all the time, you can learn to write and handle interruptions.

Personally, I used to think I had no time to write because my kids were with me all the time. Since they weren't going away, I learned to get it done (and enjoy it) even with background noise and interruptions. My kids are still with me all the time. And I mean all the time. We're at home together all day. Yet I manage to get novels written, revised, and all that good stuff.

For me it was a matter of practice and patience, and having faith that interrupting my writing to do the right thing and help my kid change into the twentieth different princess dress of the day or cut an orange or get down from the roof would be honored; God gave me the desire to write and if that thread of story were so brilliant and meant to be there, it would find its way back where it belonged somehow.

CaroGirl · Apr 23, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
Repeat after me:

"I'm writing. Fuck off. If you refuse to accept how important this is to me, our friendship is at an end."

I think if I said that to my kids (my most frequent interrupters) the girl would faint dead away from shock. And the boy would take it as a license to use that language at school and I'd get called to the office and reprimanded for my poor parenting skills. However, I do say exactly that to my husband, whenever the kidlets are not in earshot.

scarletpeaches · Apr 23, 2009

Little Bird said:
Sure, it's nice not to be interrupted, but if your interruptions happen to be people you love, and they're with you almost all the time, you can learn to write and handle interruptions...

If someone loves me, they can show it by staying the hell away when I'm writing.

Unless it's Shannon Leto, in which case he can show it in an entirely different way. :e2brows:

C.M.C. · Apr 23, 2009

Buy a hat with a graphic of a middle finger on it, and wear it whenever writing. That should help.

seun · Apr 23, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
Repeat after me:

"I'm writing. Fuck off. If you refuse to accept how important this is to me, our friendship is at an end."

You took the words right out of my mouth. It must have been while you kissing me...

Sorry. I came over all Meat Loaf for a minute. Won't happen again.

semilargeintestine · Apr 23, 2009

seun said:
I came over all Meat Loaf for a minute.

I did NOT read that right the first time.

seun · Apr 23, 2009

semilargeintestine said:
I did NOT read that right the first time.

Meatloaf for dinner?

semilargeintestine · Apr 23, 2009

I've never heard it called THAT before, but okay...

samoht9 · Apr 23, 2009

Bufty said:
It would help if you gave us an idea of where you write and what the interruptions are.

Are you able to give advance notice to offenders that such and such are your writing times - no disturbing allowed.

It isn't so much me needing to know how to deal with the interruption so much as it is just wanting to see what other people did. Basically posted this right after being interrupted because it was on my mind.

Generally I write in a room that I have setup with my computer that is called the "office". It's really not that great just a room with little space and too much stuff that needs to be stored.

Had to reiterate that door closed means don't come in.

Thanks for all the input. Interesting to see how other people manage these things. Might have a to try a few of these out when it happens again.

Wayne K · Apr 23, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
Repeat after me:

"I'm writing. Fuck off. If you refuse to accept how important this is to me, our friendship is at an end."

samoht9 said:
Might have a to try a few of these out when it happens again.

If I may suggest one...

scarletpeaches · Apr 24, 2009

Don't you just love me?

Adam · Apr 24, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
Don't you just love me?

Never, you're mean!

I may be persuaded to change my mind though if you send me filthy wurdz.

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