When my sister told me about the game 2048 I knew I was in trouble.
Most writers I know have an addictive personality. In order to be a writer you kind of have to. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t feel compulsively like you absolutely have to finish something you may not have the type of drive it takes to
I’m fortunate that I’m not prone to substance abuse, but I am very susceptible to games. When I start, I feel like I have to finish.
2048 is right up my alley in a really bad way. It is a mental puzzle, it’s simple, it has an endless challenge. I lost a lot of time playing that game, and yes, the image above is a screenshot of my high score (*shakes fist at sister*).
Games are my biggest source for distraction. What’s yours?
Jaimie Teekell says
For a while I was stuck playing Kingdom Rush, so I'll pretend you didn't mention this game I've forgotten the title of. Usually I get distracted with Facebook, because I've told myself it's boring (it is) and so I believe I'll be bored off of it (I am). But I do that over and over so it adds up. Otherwise? It's Reddit.
Ethan Casserino says
Youtube
The videos never end.
Author Cynthia Vespia says
My biggest distraction from writing is myself. It has become so frustrating with marketing and promotion with little return for my time invested that I start to wonder why I'm writing if no one is going to read it.
I need to snap out of it!
Stacy McKitrick says
Did you purposely not finish the sentence in paragraph #2? It's kind of driving me nuts.
As for distractions… Social media (either blogs or Facebook), and ONLY because I feel I NEED to be there so people don't forget I exist! 🙂
Ted Atchley says
Games are a huge distraction for me as well. To make matters even harder on myself, I tend to get addicted to MMORPGs (WoW, SWTOR, GW2, RIFT, Wildstar, etc.) which are a huge timesink.
On the upside, MMOs do give me a great topic to blog about to build platform, but then I have a platform and no book because I spent too much time playing games.
Laura Marcella says
My biggest distraction is books. Most of the time all I want to do is read! It's my favorite thing to do.
Also, gymnastics. It's my favorite sport. Coverage is rarely shown here in the U.S., so when there's a competition going on internationally, I get obsessed with reading my favorite gymnastics blogs and checking YouTube.
Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
Alana Roberts says
"If you're not the type of person who doesn't feel compulsively like you absolutely have to finish something you may not have the type of drive it takes to -"
LOL, good one!
JoClausen says
I was hooked on Candy Crush. I realized how much time I wasted with that game. I picked a quit date, posted a blog and haven't played since.https://joclausen-lookingback.blogspot.com/2014/05/crushing-addiction.html
Brea B. says
I'm so old-school. Bejeweled Blitz is my current big distraction. And Sudoku. "It helps me think and focus." Riiight.
Bryan Russell says
Children.
Children are like small, endless puzzle games with very loud sound effects and no off buttons. Plus, they pee on things.
Laura Hunter says
Sorry to say this, but housework.
Brendan O'Meara says
Reading. It's easy to turn to people whose work you admire to get away from your own garbage.
And God help me if I find Snood. Is it 2001 all over again?
jbiggar says
E-mails are the worst for me, I get so caught up in blogs , doing critiques and various classes that the writing goes by the wayside.
Sarah Brentyn says
Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, and Bejeweled poker. Hadn't heard of this game so thanks. I'll leave your post and look it up.
Also, cleaning. And kids… Well, I'll leave it at that.
Joanna says
My biggest distraction is my granddaughter. But I also agree with Cynthia. All the marketing and promotion is a cross I do not happily carry.
Marion says
Anything!
As others have said, myself!
Self-doubt. Perfectionism.
On the other hand, sometimes I need a break, even a long break. Processing time for my subconscious mind.
dawnpier says
Surfing…at least it's a healthy distraction, but it's a mofo HUGE distraction….we're talking about many hours a day – anywhere from 3 to 6 and sometimes more a day. Yes, were I to get paid to surf I'd have a nice income. I don't. I live hand to mouth because of surfing, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I figure when my body gives out I'll write up a storm…and if a shark gets me before that, well I have a shit load of unfinished material that will be entertaining to my family or anyone who chooses to snoop through my hard drive. Life…it's short. Live it first, ask questions later.
JohnO says
Sudoku, expert level. The worst part is the stats, tracking total time played (which is well into the hundreds of hours). Oh, and Twitter, which is smart enough to not track your time.
Sirena says
Netflix, shows are like a good book, can't stop. They are all there in order, waiting to be finished. I am a binge netflixer.
G. B. Miller says
Right, life is my biggest distraction. Between work and family stresses, I have not been able to do any kind of writing.
I'm hoping once the weather gets warmer and things start to improve on both fronts, the words will start to flow again.
Father Nature's Corner
Linda C Jaeger says
Twitter, games (everything from Candy Crush to Skyrim), books, blogs (ahem)… Mostly I just get sucked into the internet and never surface:s
Grace says
I am laughing at the comments… I see myself wishing I just die off since I can never get the words from my head into the screen. I have fully fleshed novels..all in my head in the wee hours..during the day I am busy with life..kids..I do so much for my kids and with my kids I wonder if I just have a blog about my life with kids and forget writing.
I am not into the internet,face book and twitter stuff…just this day to day life..and I am in Kenya where getting even just dishes or clothes washed takes hours…who has the time to write…but today I have 6000 words down…the first time this week.
Cassie says
Games for me too! Mostly Lord of the Rings Online. But family also. Oh, and work, can't forget about work, that one takes up the most time.
Janice Lindegard says
Games, kids, reading things like "What's your biggest distraction from writing?"
GSMarlene says
Damn you. Like I needed another one. I do use the games on my kindle as a reward for writing, but the amount of writing necessary can be nebulous.
Anonymous says
Sex 🙂
Andre says
Movies and TV Series…because I'm "researching" of course. Love the comments! I am not alone!!! (must recharge my Playstation controller again btw)
Magdalena Munro says
That damned full time job of mine!
AD Starrling says
That damn pesky internet!
Her Grace, the Duchess of Kneale says
Unfinished projects (in other fields).
Writing is not the only thing that occupies me. I have clothes to sew, and a quilt to quilt, and a piano to practice, and a mural to paint… And those are the projects I want to finish. I've got a Project Wish List (watercolour a family portrait!) that I haven't even started.
I can't afford to start new projects. I'm already half-way through my life. If I keep starting and starting, I'll never finish anything.
And books are something I definitely want to finish.
JOHN T. SHEA says
YOU! This blog and the Bransforums.
(Just kidding!)
Melanie Schulz says
Life in general
Liz Mallory says
Games here too. If you like 2048, you'll like Threes… https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vo.threes.exclaim
John Holton says
Thanks for the tip on the game. Now my wife and I are both playing it. At least it got her off of Candy Crush. That one is a racket. It's one of those "for $1.99, we'll make it easier for you" games.
My favorites prior to 2048 (I'm nowhere near your highest score, but then I just started playing it) were solitaire, sudoku, Dots, and Lyne (I got that one for free, otherwise I wouldn't have considered it). I'm a former math major and computer person, so 2048 appeals to me on both levels. I still like the others, though.
Lindsey R says
I'm a recovering 2048 addict. Got up to 65,536. It just keeps going.
CageFightingBlogger says
Honestly? Internet videos. And not Youtube. If you get me.