I Need an Intervention |

I Need an Intervention

January 30, 2013 by Lauralynn Elliott

No progress on my WIP since I decided to work on something different. One of my big problems is something that’s becoming a time suck. Here’s the background. I got hooked on Big Fish Games about three years ago, and so did my late best friend. I tried to use moderation when playing, though. Before I was diagnosed with diabetes, I had been feeling so tired and sleepy all the time, that I had stopped even enjoying playing Big Fish games. Since I’m feeling better now, I’m suddenly into them again. I mean REALLY into them. It’s so easy to sit at the computer and say, “Just a few more minutes, I have to finish this level or find this object, or…or…. Anyway, I need to seriously step back from these games. I got my mom hooked on them and that’s almost all she does anymore. They are ADDICTIVE. It’s all about self-control. I’ve learned to exercise control with my eating habits, which is the hardest thing in the world, so there’s no reason I can’t do the same with these games. It’s either cut down or go cold turkey with them. I NEED to get serious about the writing!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged addictive games, big fish games, ROW80, wasting time, writing | 24 Comments

24 Responses

on January 30, 2013 at 10:25 am | Reply L.S. Engler

At least you’re not alone, Lauralynn. It’s no coincidence that my productivity suddenly shoots up the moment my Kindle Fire with all those silly little games loaded on to it suffers some battery failure and it’s out of commission for a few days….Ahem.

Maybe you should set up a system where you can’t touch the games unless you meet a certain writing goal? I try that all the time, though I’m not exactly effective at sticking to it, lol.
- on January 30, 2013 at 10:34 am | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  I really need to set up that system. An hour in front of the computer, in my office, writing…before games, TV, etc. Maybe not before dinner…. LOL
on January 30, 2013 at 12:57 pm | Reply Susan Bischoff

One of the few books I’ve actually finished reading this year was a short book of essays by Ed Cyzewski called Creating Space: The Case for Everyday Creativity. One of the things he talks about is that, while it’s all well and good to enjoy the creations of others, we really shouldn’t get so caught up in those pursuits that we don’t leave time to create ourselves. He asks himself, “Are you creating something?”

I have tons of interests which I visit in a serial fashion, investing a lot of focus before dropping it and moving on–and forgetting about the stuff I’m supposed to be doing. I find that thought, “Are you creating something?” is a good reminder not to let the funner stuff take over.

Plus, you know, when you’re just playing games, you’re not making awesome. Don’t disappoint Kid President, dude.
- on January 30, 2013 at 2:22 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  No, we can’t disappoint Kid President. I loved that video.
  
  It’s so much easier to play games than to make awesome. But the good things in life aren’t supposed to be easy, are they? I like that…”Are you creating something?” I might have to print those words out and post them somewhere on my wall.
  - on January 30, 2013 at 3:03 pm | Reply Susan Bischoff
    
    Go to Google calendar and make a repeating event called Are you creating something? Then set pop-up reminders at intervals that will occur at times you are likely playing games. (like make the event daily at 8pm with reminders at 1 hour before, 1/2 hour before, 0 minutes before, or whenever your likely problem time is.)
    
    Then you can subtly guilt yourself into making the right choice instead of trying to bully or command yourself (which doesn’t work for me because I have no self-respect and thumb my nose at my own edicts).
    
    You could also try Write or Die.
    - on January 30, 2013 at 3:23 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
      
      That’s a good idea, Susan. I use Google Calendar a lot at work, and I love the reminders.
      
      I’ve heard of Write or Die. I might have to go that route if I can’t self-discipline myself. We’ll see how it goes.
on January 30, 2013 at 1:17 pm | Reply Shah Wharton

I’m so glad I’m no fan of games. I lose enough precious time on social media, marketing, and everything else that sucks my soul dry. Switch off after ohe hour a day. Be strict. If you can stop eating the bad stuff (when it tastes so good) you hit this on the head! I know it! X
- on January 30, 2013 at 2:26 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  Thanks, Shah! I love games, but if we all just did that kind of stuff, we would never be productive. It’s amazing how much time can be sucked out of our day by certain things. I have to use self discipline and make rules. You’re right, it’s hard to stop eating stuff that is SO good. I absolutely love the sugary icing on birthday cakes. I can eat those roses by themselves. I went to a party the other day, and they had that kind of cake. That was HARD. But I didn’t touch it. If I can do that, I can do ANYTHING. 🙂
on January 30, 2013 at 1:19 pm | Reply Emma

Big Fish Games, haven’t heard of them. Use a timer next time you’re playing.
- on January 30, 2013 at 2:27 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  A timer could really be helpful, Emma. Last night, I got so caught up in a game that I stayed up over an hour past my bedtime. I might just ban the games completely for tonight, just to prove I can do it. 😉
on January 30, 2013 at 3:31 pm | Reply Claire Farrell

Have you tried making a planner for yourself? Like a timetable or something? Sometimes, I sit down and write exactly what I need to do every day, then every day I look at the list and get cracking, ticking things off when they’re done. It might be a certain amount of words, a certain amount of time spent, or a certain number of chapters to edit (or all of the above), but I can’t move on until I get the task done. And if I find myself sitting there staring at a blank screen, I jot down what I need to happen in the next scene, and that tends to get me writing again. And honestly, I often get ahead of myself this way because ticking off jobs you’ve done makes you feel super-productive and awesome – even someone like me who can’t organise their life. 😉

For a lot of people, it’s easier to make a habit of writing when it’s part of your daily schedule, as in you prioritise it the way you would prioritise having a meal or a shower or leaving the house to go to work or make an appointment. It’s part of the daily plan and eventually becomes a habit that you can’t break. Hopefully. 🙂

Maybe try something like a pomodoro app. It’s like a little timer on the desktop. You get 25 minutes to work, then you get a five/fifteen minute break. It jumps up and down when the break is over then you jump right back in to 25 minutes work again. Then you get a little of both worlds.

You also mentioned that you’re struggling a bit with the story you’re on. Maybe the game thing is pure avoidance. I know I do that. Maybe you’ve gone down the wrong path with the story and your inner writer won’t let you move on until you fix it. 🙂 This happens to me, and if I don’t stop and figure out what it is I want to do with the story, then I end up having to rewrite everything I write after that. Learn from my mistakes. Lol. If you’re no longer interested in writing the story then maybe think about what grabbed your interest initially and make a list of things you need to accomplish within the story to get there.

I don’t know why I’m on such a list-making buzz here, sorry. 😀
on January 30, 2013 at 3:56 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott

Thanks for your input, Claire. Google has a great task scheduler, so I might have to use that. I used to tell people the best way to make yourself exercise is to schedule it as an appointment. The same would go for writing.

You said something that really rang true for me. You said the game could be avoidance. I think you’ve hit upon something there. I’ve struggled with this story because it’s my husband’s idea and not mine. Maybe if I decide what i REALLY want to write, this thing will work itself out. I’ve already decided I need to put hubby’s story aside for awhile. I just need to decide which story I want to write instead.
on January 30, 2013 at 5:15 pm | Reply John Holton

For me, it’s solitaire. I’ve finally gotten to where I only allow myself to play after I get my writing done for the day. And let’s not even talk about Facebook…
- on January 30, 2013 at 6:32 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  John, the game that kept me up last night was a Big Fish Games version of solitaire. You play solitaire to earn coins, and then you buy stuff with your coins. Addictive! Facebook isn’t a problem for me. I have to MAKE myself even get on FB. LOL.
on January 30, 2013 at 7:28 pm | Reply C. Michael Hubbard

For me it’s all about how excited I am in what I’m writing. I find that I go out of my way to find other ways to amuse myself than writing when I’m stuck on a plot point or when editing or just generally not interested in the idea because something is missing and I’m not seeing it yet. Like right now, I haven’t written a word since last week. I’m stuck on a plotting point for a short story (which I think I have figured out). I also just outlined my next novel and am super excited to get into it, but I’m affraid if I get into it I’ll lose any steam I have going for my current WIP. So instead of writing I’ve been surfing from one end of the internet to the other. And now that I’ve gotten this out, I’m off to work on my short story. Thanks! Best of luck to you.
- on January 30, 2013 at 10:27 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  Thanks, Chris. I guess I just couldn’t keep my excitement up about my husband’s idea.:(
on January 30, 2013 at 8:17 pm | Reply Laura

I get addicted to things too. i don’t think it’s a coincidence that the book I am reading and finding hard going is the same week I get into Downton Abbey. Write or Die is something I found really helpful as it makes noises at you if you get distracted and don’t write as quick as it thinks you should be.
I hope you have a good week. x
- on January 30, 2013 at 10:28 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  Thanks, Laura. I’ve thought about using Write or Die. It will be a last resort, so I hope it doesn’t come to that. LOL
on January 30, 2013 at 9:27 pm | Reply catemorgan

I recently contracted IBS, and I love both casual and RPG gaming, so I know where you’re coming from. The extreme changes in diet, forcible exercise, etc., can all lead to making you feel disrupted and disorganized. I find it helps to define what my Big Rocks are and schedule blocks of time dedicated–and still leave time for the fun stuff!
- on January 30, 2013 at 10:31 pm | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  I’m sorry you’re having health problems, too. It really does disrupt your life. I just need to get it down to what’s the most important thing, then the next, etc. Like you said…figure out your big rocks first. Then the rest will fit.
on January 31, 2013 at 12:01 am | Reply Ruth Ann Nordin

My weakness is getting caught up in reading the forums. I don’t participate much, but I go around to see what’s happening with Amazon, B&N, and other places. I mostly like to know if other authors are experiencing something (like the quality control emails from Amazon). I like getting a heads up on what to expect.

It’s easy to get distracted. 😀 I like the idea of the pop up reminder.
- on January 31, 2013 at 8:20 am | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  Maybe I should start reading the forums. Wait…I’m supposed to be finding FEWER things to do. LOL.
  
  The pop up reminder is a good idea, I think. 🙂
on January 31, 2013 at 10:31 pm | Reply Cate Russell-Cole

My name is Cate and I like Chicken Invaders: I have three versions from Big Fish games and I can stop at any time I like… I hope. I hear you! I am a recovering Bejewelled addict as well. I think it is the escapism factor… I hope you find a happy balance.
- on February 1, 2013 at 9:07 am | Reply Lauralynn Elliott
  
  Ah, a fellow Big Fisher! Another game I got addicted to was Fishdom 3. It’s a match 3 like bejeweled, but your match 3 game gives you coins to buy stuff for your aquariums. 🙂
  
  I really like the adventure/hidden object games. The match 3 and solitaire games are kind of a breather in between them. LOL They are ALL addictive.