Friday, March 14, 2014

Too Many Noises in My Head by Kathryn J. Bain



Kathryn J. Bain

Do you ever become frustrated because you’ve allowed distractions to stand in the way of reaching your writing goals? It happens to me all the time! What can we do? Author Kathryn J. Bain shares tips she’s learned, and she encourages us to stay focused on our goals. ~ Dawn

Too Many Noises 
in My Head

How many times have you sat down to write, only to have twenty other things pop into your head? There are chores needing to be done, the phone ringing, or guilt for taking time away from your family to do something for yourself.

The devil uses any distractions he can so you never complete that Christian book. The following are ten tips will help you keep focused and tick Satan off.

1. Pray for focus before you start. If what you’re writing is God inspired, He will see to it you finish.

2. Set goals. Number of word or pages each hour, even just writing straight through for 50 minutes. Once you hit your goal, get up and move around. Listen to some praise and worship music to keep focused on who you’re writing for. Then return and do another hour, setting a goal like before. And pray before each hour for focus.

3. Jot down any idea that pops into your head on a separate piece of paper. Write just enough of the information so you won’t lose the thought.

4. All phones off. Nothing is more distracting than a friend who thinks your writing is just a hobby. If you don’t take it seriously, no one else will either.

5. Turn off the IM. Every time instant messaging dings, you stop what you’re doing and glance over at who’s trying to reach you. See, you just did it.

6. Turn off all social media. Facebook will suck away your time faster than you realize. Give yourself thirty minutes each morning for social media, and then it’s off to work.

7. Get plenty of sleep the night before. Being tired makes it hard for your mind to concentrate on any one thing.

8. Don’t edit. Just write. The more you stop, the less you get done. Some authors edit at the end of the day, some once the whole book is finished. Choose what works for you, but your goal is to get the manuscript complete.

9. Turn off the television, and if you can, work in a quiet room. Years ago, I cut cable and bought a television with Wi-Fi so my computer monitor is also my TV screen. No way can I watch ID Network non-stop if I have a manuscript to complete.

10. Give yourself a reward when you’ve reached your goal for the day. It might be some time outside, or even a snack. Don’t forget to thank God for helping you reach your goals.

Zig Ziglar once said, “Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.” Lack of time is one of the largest complaints in the writing community, but it’s really just a lack of focus. By using some of the guidelines above, you will not only finish your manuscript, but, hopefully, have a product worthy of publication.


Tweetables:

Author Kathryn J. Bain shares 10 tips that will help writers stay focused. Click to tweet.

Do you remember to thank God for helping you reach your goals? Click to tweet.

Zig Ziglar once said, “Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. Do you agree? Click to tweet.



Beautiful Imperfection
Beautiful Imperfection

When witnesses to a mass murder start dying, breast cancer survivor Teddy Federline must push aside her anger and trust an ex-boyfriend to ensure she lives long enough to testify against the killer.

Detective Sloan Michaels still has deep feelings for Teddy but realizes that after the way he left her years ago, he has a lot of making up to do. Now, he must keep his focus on the case and off the woman he loves. If Sloan doesn't keep Teddy safe, he'll never get a second chance.



Award winning author Kathryn J. Bain’s fifth book, Beautiful Imperfection, was released September 29, 2013. Her book Catch Your Breath took Third Place in the 2013 Heart of Excellence Contest for her inspirational romance and Breathless took First Place for Inspirational Romance in the 2010 Royal Palm Literary Awards. She was the President of Florida Sisters in Crime from 2010-2012 and is currently the Public Relations Director for Ancient City Romance Authors. Kathryn has also been a paralegal for over twenty years and works for an attorney who specializes in elder law.

To learn more or connect with Kathryn, please visit: