Obstacles and Distractions...

When it comes to writing, I've always had a difficult time coming up with conflicts and obstacles to put in the way of my characters. I struggle with making things difficult for them. I think the difficulty springs out of my natural desire, in real life, for things NOT to be in conflict. Some people thrive in the midst of conflict, hassles, trouble, and catastrophes. These people would make good emergency workers or generals. They bloom, they prosper, they thrive, they get more creative.

Not me.

I work better when there's a sense of peace; physically and especially emotionally.

And so in the writing world in my head, there's a hesitancy to introduce problems.

But, here in real life, especially when it comes to writing and finding time to do it, obstacles pop up like crazy. Like boils.. like zits on a teenager.. like squirrels after my bird feeder. I don't even have to try. They're a whole self-replicating and constantly mutating species. Ever evolving to find quicker, more efficient ways to create distraction. When it comes to obstacles, they spontaneaously create themselves. As if they step out of some other dimension into mine. They materialize out of nothing. Neutrinos can't even pass through them. They would survive a nuclear war.

It's like as soon as my hands move towards a keyboard, a switch toggles. A light goes on that tells a whole army of distractions to line up at the door and come pouring through into my life.


Today...
I went to work early. Wooohooo.. 30 whole minutes of time to write before work started.

And in 30 minutes, I didn't get a single word written. I didn't even get to see the keybord.
I turned the computer on, and then they guy here who's been telling every living soul all about his Ebay buying hassles came along.

Next thing I knew, the clock had spun a half hour ahead and the boss showed to ask me for the drawings I was working on.


Same at home.

Sit down to write and the phone rings.
Get up to answer it, wrong number.
Sit back down and then realize I left the wheat thins box in the kitchen.
Get back up because I'm starving.
Sit back down and the smoke detector goes off.
Get back up to fix it.
Sit back down and for unknown reasons, the internet doesn't work.
Get back up and fiddle with the internet router.
Sit back down and damn, I forgot my coffee cup next to the internet router.
Get back up to go get it.
Sit back down and spill it.
Get back up to get some paper towels. Trip over power wire, knock laptop on floor.

It's endless.

Obstacles and conflicts are easy in real life. They happen automatically. It's like I'm the only one at the office with a bag of chocolate and everyone is coming to my desk.

But only when I'm trying to write.

Argh...

Hey, that's an idea... I know a way to give my character some conflicts.
I'll just write a story about a guy who sits down and tries to write a story.

Cool. That'll work.
I sit down... get all set to write it and...

Hmmm... My sweet tooth acts up. Now I need to have some chocolate...