SOMETIMES YOU JUST WANT TO PLAY A GAME

            Since a lot if not most of you write on a computer (especially if you’re reading this, they go hand-in-hand), I know it’s tempting to just click on that latest computer game instead. After all, you want to do the fun stuff, right?

            Isn’t writing fun?

            Okay, writing is fun, but it can also be a lot more work than a game, depending on which game it is.

THE BIG QUESTION

            Now that we know many of you are guilty of this, why take the easy route?

            It’s not that you don’t want to get your story done, but the temptation of battling monsters, racing cars, chasing bad guys without having to create it yourself can be a huge temptation.

            Does this mean you don’t really like to write?

            If you’re here, I’m pretty sure the answer to that question is no.

WHY?

            Very few of us are just work work work types. Okay, some of you are, but I tend to think a good many of you can get distracted. Or, maybe you just don’t have anything to say that day. Maybe your creativity is stifled by external factors.

            You sit down to write, but there it is, that icon for your latest favorite game. Which do you click?

            You had a bad day and have had the creativity sucked right out of you.

            You’re having a lazy spell and don’t want to put the extra effort into thinking about the plot, structure, progress from the last session.

            Maybe, you’re just taking your time because you have no real deadline.

GAMES?

            What if it isn’t just games?

            Check your e-mail, shop online, check the news, go on social media?

            When you have a computer screen full of icons, it’s tempting to click on so many distractions from that Word (or other software) file.

            Then again, there are many addicting games designed just that way. It can be hard to have the intent to write but that old mouse pointer just drifts over the game icon instead of your story file.

            Call it procrastination, lazy, lack of inspiration, or whatever you want.

HOW CAN GAMES HELP?

            Once in a while these distractions (games is just a general term) can be a help.

            Maybe you get an inspiration from playing your game, checking e-mail, shopping?

            Maybe somewhere in there, an idea sparks and turns into a flame.

            Yeah, sure…okay it can happen, but I bet most of the time you end up doing whatever it is and run out of time.

            There sits your lonely project file untouched.

            Then again, maybe that “whatever” gives you that golden idea for your next scene.

TOO MANY TEMPTATIONS?

            The electronic device you use to write is full of all kinds of goodies, good and bad.

            Every icon is a temptation to distract you from your writing.

            How do you get anything done?

SUMMARY

            While the majority are doing just fine with your writing, it’s hard to pick that best piece of candy from the crowded bowl.

            Don’t let those distractions keep you from getting anything done.

            Happy writing!