When I’m writing, or reading and reviewing, my best work is done when I’m immersed in the work, like a form of meditation. Interruptions pop me out of it – they disrupt the flow, stop the moment. This is like reading a good story – the need to be immersed, to not be pulled out either by an awkwardness in the story, or by something external. Of course, the reality is we’re constantly interrupted, constantly pulled out, constantly returning. But to return to depth, to real quietness – that’s the key.
And so I crave solitude, ignore the phone, and hope no one knocks on my door. I love email, because I can respond when I need a break, not when someone else needs their break. I also ignore administrative work, errands, housework. When the writing is good, I just want to write. And when I’m ready for distractions, I can look for them.
That, of course, is the ideal day. More common is the interrupt-driven day, and my challenge is to learn to write through the chaos.
This will be worse starting next week, as renovations begin at my house – a much-needed bathroom rebuild, and a while-we’re-at-it ‘let’s fix the front entry before it falls off the house’ project.
Will I be able to write through it all? I’ll let you know.
Maureen
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