My Writing Ramblings: Distractions and Procrastinations

I am not entirely sure where this last week has gone to be honest. This is my main problem when I am on shift for the day job. Twelve hour shifts really do mean that the days go like lightening. I am really having to try and look after myself so things, like they have this week do sometimes get put to one side.

I have been struggling with motivation and things over the past couple of days. The beginning of the week, I was getting many things done. I’d prepare my to do list, set a timer and get much of it achieved but the lack of sleep is taking its toll which has meant that my productivity level has dipped right down.

Not that I am beating myself up about it. I have good days and bad days (which is par the course if, like me you have anxiety.)

Due to been easily distracted these last couple of days, (my brain has had the concentration span of a child,) I have been doing anything but writing. I’ve been doing other things like watching films, listening to music, reading and playing games on the phone.

This is where I find the apps and games on the phone to be really good for getting me focused on something fun. My shift pattern makes me feel tired which then makes me feel out of it so it is very easy for me to loose days off to nothing.

My favourites at the moment are 7 Little Words which is a little like a crossword puzzle. You are given a set of tiles with letters on and a set of clues and you have to join the right tiles together in the correct order. It’s words and puzzles so I never feel so guilty playing this one. Another app I love to play when I need to distract myself (and is good if you’re trying to work out a plot issue,) is Fruit Ninja. It’s an old one but it’s still one of my favourites.

I do like the Calm app which I think is available on both Android and the Apple App Store. This is a mediation app and I’ve been doing five minutes a day but it has been so good for me and I recommend it if you need to calm your head. This has just helped me get my mind into a more rational place.

My current read is Room by Emma Donoghue. I am not sure what took me so long to read it and I usually avoid all the Oscar nominated related stuff around this time of year as I never want this kind of stuff to affect what I think of the book or film. However, I’ve been seeing this book everywhere and the opinions have been mixed so I wanted to give it a go. So far I am really liking it.

On the films side, I’ve recently watched The Intern which stars Robert De Nero as the retired man who is looking to find something to do after retirement. He ends up as an intern to Anne Hathaway’s character. To begin with, she’s not keen on having him around. There were a couple of elements of this film that I didn’t like but overall it was a sweet film. You can see the ending coming but wasn’t a bad way to spend a couple of hours. I do like a nice romantic comedy.

I do feel better for letting myself have a few days where I am letting myself rest. Now where is that notebook and pen.

Until next week writing people.

(Room is published by Picador, 2011. Calm, Fruit Ninja and 7 Little Words are all available on the App store and Google Play) 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.