Comments on: How professional writers work http://writemindset.com/mindset/91/how-writers-work.html Writing tips | writing tools | writing ideas Sun, 05 Sep 2010 10:22:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Simon http://writemindset.com/mindset/91/how-writers-work.html/comment-page-1#comment-120 Simon Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:04:27 +0000 http://writemindset.com/mindset/91/study-hacks.html#comment-120 I play a lot of tennis where people talk about being 'in the zone' or 'in flow' as the way to peak performance. And the same is said to be true for writing. When you are really absorbed in it, you are in a state of flow. But I've also heard it said they every time you are brought out of a state of flow by a distraction, it takes at least 15 minutes of concentration to get back into it. So finding a distraction free environment is important. I just wish someone would explain it to my ten-month-old Airedale terrier who can't understand why I'm sitting at a computer when the sun's shining outside. I play a lot of tennis where people talk about being ‘in the zone’ or ‘in flow’ as the way to peak performance. And the same is said to be true for writing. When you are really absorbed in it, you are in a state of flow.
But I’ve also heard it said they every time you are brought out of a state of flow by a distraction, it takes at least 15 minutes of concentration to get back into it.
So finding a distraction free environment is important.
I just wish someone would explain it to my ten-month-old Airedale terrier who can’t understand why I’m sitting at a computer when the sun’s shining outside.

]]> By: James Chartrand http://writemindset.com/mindset/91/how-writers-work.html/comment-page-1#comment-119 James Chartrand Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:57:28 +0000 http://writemindset.com/mindset/91/study-hacks.html#comment-119 @ Ross - A distraction-free environment is possible, but it means finding the right hours to work and focus where there are no distractions. Hence, early morning and locking doors. I don't think it makes a difference for a novelist or a copywriter - they're both writers and both face the same issues. I think... I only work on my novel in my spare time. The rest goes to copywriting :) @ Ross – A distraction-free environment is possible, but it means finding the right hours to work and focus where there are no distractions. Hence, early morning and locking doors.

I don’t think it makes a difference for a novelist or a copywriter – they’re both writers and both face the same issues. I think… I only work on my novel in my spare time. The rest goes to copywriting :)

]]> By: Ross http://writemindset.com/mindset/91/how-writers-work.html/comment-page-1#comment-118 Ross Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:35:37 +0000 http://writemindset.com/mindset/91/study-hacks.html#comment-118 I don't see how a distraction free environment is possible when running a freelance writing business. If you are a novelist or someone who doesn't have to be wary of answering calls or checking emails regularly, then I guess it's possible. But surely not for a freelance copywriter? I don’t see how a distraction free environment is possible when running a freelance writing business. If you are a novelist or someone who doesn’t have to be wary of answering calls or checking emails regularly, then I guess it’s possible. But surely not for a freelance copywriter?

]]> By: James Chartrand http://writemindset.com/mindset/91/how-writers-work.html/comment-page-1#comment-117 James Chartrand Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:34:16 +0000 http://writemindset.com/mindset/91/study-hacks.html#comment-117 I write in the morning. Very early in the morning before the sun comes up. I have no distractions because my kids are still sleeping. And I drink copious amounts of jet-fuel strength coffee. I also live in isolation. Possibly even more so than others, because I live in the rural backwoods of Quebec. It works :) I write in the morning. Very early in the morning before the sun comes up. I have no distractions because my kids are still sleeping. And I drink copious amounts of jet-fuel strength coffee.

I also live in isolation. Possibly even more so than others, because I live in the rural backwoods of Quebec.

It works :)

]]>