Saying YES to Distractions
I recently heard author Patricia Ann McNair deliver an excellent craft talk (at this event), in which she detailed the benefits of distraction. Sure, it’s one thing to check your email when you intended to be writing a short story. But letting the mind relax, explore, and play a little is not only healthy and natural, but in fact essential for an effective, sustained writing practice.
During her talk, we sketched, laughed, looked at other artists’ journals, and eventually shared any writings that happened to emerge during our hour of play and discovery. As usual, I came away feeling inspired by Patty’s teaching, and I also had a newly-remembered experience on my hands, just begging to be written into a flash nonfiction piece.
If you’re intrigued by sketching, distraction, or the art of play in your everyday life as a writer, here are a few resources I highly recommend:
- “In Praise of Distraction” as it pertains to productivity and business
- “The Benefits of Distraction” as it pertains to creativity
- A quick list of creative activities for play and imaginative thinking
- Deep Play by Diane Ackerman