oh, my brain

[rivendellrose]

Today's example of why it takes forever for me to get writing done:

Step 1: Open chosen document, start writing.
Step 2: Wonder about obscure detail of backstory/setting/characterization, whatever.
Step 3: Dig out DVDs to check detail, watch appropriate scene.
Step 4: Remember someone mentioning that the commentary for this episode is totally awesome, decide that really, should check commentary to see if Joss offers any pertinent insight on this scene.
Step 5: Get completely distracted by amusing commentary, watch whole 2-hour episode with commentary turned on.
Step 6: Upon finishing, think "Wow, that was really fun. Now... what the hell was the question that started all of this?"

The sad thing is, the exact same thing happens when I'm writing papers for class, or even my original writing. I get distracted by research. 75% of anything I write will eventually be stymied by my saying "I need to check on a few things..." Whether it's me getting distracted and just reading whatever book I'm supposed to be writing a paper about, script-checking for exact phrases, wandering off into reading about 19th century food/clothing/slang, or researching Christmas during the Civil War, or reading about the biology and behaviour of wolves, or.... anything.

There will be fic this weekend. Oh, yes, there will.

Comments

[narsilion.livejournal.com]

HeeHee, maybe write the question down before you start researching?
"There will be fic this weekend. Oh, yes, there will." YAY!!!

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

It wasn't even really a serious question, it was just... I don't remember anymore. But it made me go "hey, I need to watch that first scene of "Serenity" and find out. And from there... I was doomed.

[narsilion.livejournal.com]

Self distraction is an amazing thing, isn't it?
Ermmm, I'm really good at it myself! Yes, I would be doomed too!

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

I sympathize :)

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

At least it's fun research. ;)

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

Of course :)

[maho-kiwi.livejournal.com]

Dude, you should see laylah's process sometime. She's writing a period ...original smut thing...^^. But we'll be sitting here and she'll be typing away and out of the blue she'll be like "...when did they invent pockets, do you think?" and then there will be hours of searching to find what era pockets were invented, and if that era was at all comparable to the imaginary place she has created for her works, and then whether or not they would have hot water and what pants would be made out of...

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Yup - that's exactly it! One research topic leads to another, leads to another... and by the time you're done, the writing mood has totally disappeared, or it's time for bed, or whatever!