Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Tuesday Ten: Distractions

Distractions. Thanks to the internet, there are TONS of things to keep us from our writing. Here are ten things I usually find myself doing when I'm SUPPOSED to be writing.

  • Twitter. It's so easy to lose an hour on twitter. All I have to do is look through my feed for something interesting and I'm off on an expedition around the web.
  • The Onion AV club. This offshoot of The Onion posts reviews of tv shows, movies, books, music and more. I generally stick to the TV section. The reviews are funny and usually get right to the point. And when I say they review EVERY show, I'm not kidding. Everything I watch is on there. They've even started reviewing older shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. I love this site!
  • Netflix. This goes hand in hand with the above. I can't read the reviews if I don't watch the shows to begin with! I can often spend hours rearranging my queue or finding new things to add to the watch instantly section.
  • Word Bubbles. We've entered the realm of addicting games. Once I start playing this, I am in it for the long haul. Every time I finish, I'm convinced I can beat the score when I play again.
  • Plants vs. Zombies. Another addicting game. My husband has the full version on his computer, but I usually end up playing the online one on my laptop. Yeah, the ads are annoying, but remember I originally start out editing or writing and float over to something else.
  • Making playlists on iTunes. Every night before I write I probably spend 10-15 minutes getting together a playlist. Unlike a lot of people, I don't have songs inspired by my WIP. I like to listen to music that matches my mood. It makes it easier for me to write.
  • Recipe Blogs. Mmmmm. Food. These are bad when it's close to dinner time and I'm hungry and waiting for my husband to get home so we can eat together. Major time waster.
  • Gardening Blogs. I just started a veggie garden outside and I'm obsessed with it. I'm always looking up plant diseases, ways to make things grow bigger, and anything else that has to do with my plants.
  • Commenting on other Writing Blogs. I wouldn't really call this a time suck, because I like commenting on people's blogs, but there are definitely times when I'll spend way more time than I need to hopping from blog to blog. I've tried to curb this by setting up a MUST READ section in my google reader. I try to focus on those, and go to the others when I have extra time.
  • DiceWars. My husband got me hooked on this one. At first I thought it was dumb, but then I learned how to play and I always have a game open so I can play a few rounds. It's sort of like Risk.
What are your favorites distractions around the web? (As if I need any more!!)

4 comments:

  1. When I'm not feeling inspired, I can distract myself with nearly anything. Even laundry. My house is really clean when I have writer's block!

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  2. Oh yes, the internet. That's the biggest distraction of all.

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  3. Yup...me too. My addictions are Facebook, Twitter, blogs, Disney stuff.

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  4. Wow, I see what you mean about Word Bubble — very addictive! And fun too :D

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