How to Ignore your Family and Write Like the Boss You are
6:00 AM
HAI GUYS. IT'S ME AND I'M HYPER TODAY SO IT ONLY MAKES SENSE THAT YOU GET A HYPER POST. HEEEHE.
Ehem. You might have noticed I write 2 different kinds of posts. Either reasonably deep, or really just incoherent and loud. Today you will receive the latter.
Ehem. You might have noticed I write 2 different kinds of posts. Either reasonably deep, or really just incoherent and loud. Today you will receive the latter.
So. My family has this thing that they do. It's gotten better lately, since I'm the oldest one in the house now, but it was really bad there for a while. Everyone just sort of ... gathers. In my room. While I'm writing.
...like, what?
I’m not sure why this happens. During nanowrimo last year, it happened, like, EVERY NIGHT. I’d be sitting there, typing away, getting really into it, building steam … and then BOOM. The family swoops in to make allllll the noise and distractions. I'm not even in their conversation, just slightly angrily typing away with my writer glare (see below) in place and my headphones (see below) crammed on.
As you can expect, I am now a pro at tuning out loud noises and voices and major distractions. I sat in a room full of people the other day while my friends played a card game (#introvert) and cranked out 200 words in like, five minutes. Allow me to give you some life changing advice so you, too, can be a pro.
Tactic 1 /// headphones
They work the best. Fam sees you with them on and it’s like, oh I can’t talk to her. Headphones are the better than earbuds since they’re more visible, but earbuds will work if that’s all you have. Just pretend you can’t hear them when they say your name. And when they shake you, just tap your ear like, I'm busy, or yank it out and let it hit them and be like, "oops. sorry. now what do you want."
It also makes the awkward silence less awkward when they're sitting on your bed staring at you, and you're happily ignoring them and typing away and grooving to your writer music.
It also makes the awkward silence less awkward when they're sitting on your bed staring at you, and you're happily ignoring them and typing away and grooving to your writer music.
Tactic 2 /// the writer glare
The fam tries to speak and you kind of look at them. It’s kind of a glare, but it’s more glazed because your mind is on your story and the characters and the scene you’re trying to write and then the family member nods slowly and backs up.
Tactic 3 /// writer threats
As writers, we have a quite limitless box of threats to unleash. Don't be afraid to threaten banishment to a distant galaxy, death by giant snap turtles, or drowning in ogre snot. Writer threats will scare off the younger siblings. Maybe even the older ones, if you play it right.
Tactic 4 /// ask nicely?
“Hey I’m trying to write. So can you just … leave?”
Tactic 5 /// the info dump
Your family is probably at least somewhat interested in what you’re writing. So dump it on them. They’ve dared to enter the domain of your room, your top secret writing head-quarters. They signed up for it. (Although, be careful about this one. A) your plot will be so captivating that they want to keep listening, or b) they’ll fake smile and nod uneasily and then creep out of the room and you’ll question if your plot is actually good and wonder what you're even doing with your life. #beentheredonethatoops)
(Can you tell my words are leaving me?) XP
Loudly. It'll startle them. Then just keep doing it until they run away.
(Can you tell my words are leaving me?) XP
Tactic 6 /// SCREAM
Tactic 7 /// just ... ignore them
You’ve got your headphones on. You’re typing away. Your family – for some strange reason – has decided to gather in your small room and party. I DON’T KNOW WHY. MAYBE THEY LIKE BEING NEAR YOUR BOOKS??? But they’re there, and you’ve got skills because you’re in your own little world. Just keep typing. They’ll go out … eventually.
It's really useful to be in the middle of a word war so you can be like, GUYS GO AWAY I AM IN BATTLE. They might not fully understand the significance of this statement, but when they see the fighting gleam in your eyes they will back away slowly and at least pretend to understand. They don't want to take the place of your opponent.
And that’s about all I have for you. Hopefully I'll think of some more ignore-the-fam-and-write-on hacks, but for now this is the best I’ve got. Of course, not that you should always ignore them. Sometimes, a good game of bananagrams or a nice walk with your mom is needed to break the author craziness. I know it might feel like you’re wasting time you could be spending working out all these plot holes and cranking out all those words, but you don’t have forever with your family. Enjoy the time you have while it lasts. <3
(...while, um, still you know. getting your word count in.)
Tactic 8 /// war someone
It's really useful to be in the middle of a word war so you can be like, GUYS GO AWAY I AM IN BATTLE. They might not fully understand the significance of this statement, but when they see the fighting gleam in your eyes they will back away slowly and at least pretend to understand. They don't want to take the place of your opponent.
And that’s about all I have for you. Hopefully I'll think of some more ignore-the-fam-and-write-on hacks, but for now this is the best I’ve got. Of course, not that you should always ignore them. Sometimes, a good game of bananagrams or a nice walk with your mom is needed to break the author craziness. I know it might feel like you’re wasting time you could be spending working out all these plot holes and cranking out all those words, but you don’t have forever with your family. Enjoy the time you have while it lasts. <3
(...while, um, still you know. getting your word count in.)
Does your family have a habit of gathering in your room to watch loud horror movie trailers and play with scorpions? (not exaggerating) How do you write through it? SHARE YOUR HACKS, MY LOVELY STALKER BEANS.
<3
20 comments
THESE ARE SUPER GREAT TIPS. I especially love the info dump. ;)
ReplyDeleteHehehe thanks! Works most of the time XP
DeleteI SHOULD TRY MORE OF THESE!!!! (especially the scream XD jk)
ReplyDeleteI think headphones are my best tactic. Just turn the volume up...and up...and up.... XD
<3
Saaaame XP If they're talking to me, I just tap it like, "can't you see I'm listening to something better here?"
DeleteTHIS IS YES. MUCH YESES AND MANY NODS.
ReplyDeleteWE MUST DO WHAT WE MUST TO SURVIVE NANO
DeleteOk so I think you accidently posted this like last week, because I saw this post and started shrieking and clicked on the link and...it wasn't there.
ReplyDeleteBUT YOU HAS SAVED ME AND POSTED IT DANK OO!
Dis is a fabulous post and I just dealt with this. *nods*
I diiiid hehehe XP What happened was I scheduled some posts for this month (since NANO) and I wrote up last week's post and scheduled it but didn't realize that I had already scheduled this one to post on that day. It was kind of funny because it totally wasn't done and the intro was basically a note to myself and when I saw it had posted I was like NOOOO AHHHHFKJSDHFL.
DeleteYAH WHALE-COME I GLAD YOU LIKED. <3
I FEEL YOUR PAIN. Why is it always the room we are trying to write in?
ReplyDeleteAnyway. I shall put these tips to good use. I actually never thought about using earbuds/headphones.
ikr?? WHY. and even if you don't like listening to music when writing, you could still use the earbuds/headphones and pretend you are ... *sly grin*
DeleteHeadphones, YEESSS!! Usually, it's earbuds for me, but... *nod nod* Great noise-blockers.
ReplyDeleteLoved the post! :D
Yesss. They work the best of these, I think XP
DeleteMY GOSH SOMEONE ELSES FAMILY DOES THIS TOO!?!?! LIKE WHYYYYYY! My family randomly comes in while continuing their conversations, sit around and sometimes even picks up my guitar while I'm writing, its crazy. REALLY debating picking up a lock for my door. Most of the time i just do Tactic #6 and they get really confused.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Hannah!
-Lauryn
www.ElegantChances.com
Eeeehehehe I AM NOT ALONE?? YUSSS. *high fives* I FEEL YOUR PAIN, GIRL.
DeleteThanks for stopping by! :D
Oh oh I use the Fierce Writer Glare ALL THE TIME. Basically if anyone even whispers in my direction while I'm writing I shall bring down mountains and roofs and moons and suns and thousands of burning stars on their head because I'M WRITING HERE AND I NEED TO CONCENTRATE ARGH!!! Headphones are great too.😂 Also bribery?? I literally bribed my sister with chocolate to leave me alone at the start of NaNo. #winning😂😂
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness that is brilliant XP Also a very good idea. I must try it with my little brother. He likes to come in my room and just stand there cause I can't write when people look over my shoulder and it just SDJKFALKSJDF. DRIVES ME CRAZY. Fierce Writer Glare doesn't work on him, but he loves his candy ... *ponders*
DeleteI share a room so I can't really do these. WHYYY?
ReplyDeleteAwww nuuuu. You could probably still use your headphones! Just ... ignore? XP
DeleteLol, my family doesn't really disturb me when I write, they understand that I am in a zone and it will take a lot to drag me away. =)
ReplyDeleteAhhh that's so nice of them! XP My family is just ... *sigh* I don't even know. They're probably conspiring against me XP
DeleteComments bring us happiness and warm fuzzies, so please share your thoughts! Stan and I want everyone to be welcome, so we ask that you be kind and courteous and use nice language.