Writing in tense situations

[Karlin]

In normal circumstances, I manage to sit down and write for an hour , sometimes more, 4 or 5 days a week. Now, things are somewhat tense in this neighborhood ( middle east), i find it difficult, well, even more difficult than usual, to concentrate.

Have you had similar experiences?

 

[CupofJoe]

Never on the scale of what is happening in the Middle East but I have had neighbours that stopped me writing.
For me the answer was to close the windows and darken the room... And a kick-ass set of noise-cancelling headphone with an epic playlist.
And for my personal wellness I took up mediation to calm my mind a little.

 

[Mad Swede]

I've written about this before here on Mythic Scribes, but I started writing whilst serving with UNIFIL in Lebanon. My unit tried to break up a particularly vicious firefight between Hizbollah and the South Lebabon Army. Both brought up heavy weaponry (read light artillery) and we took cover in a bunker whilst waiting for reinforcements. That was where I first wrote, scribbling on some peices of paper whilst the bunker echoed and shook from artillery rounds landing nearby. I'd already been trained to read and write orders and reports when needed, so this was in some ways the next step. It was also a way of taking my mind off things going on outside, knowing full well that we'd be picking up the pieces (sometimes literally) when we got out of the bunker again.

 

[Prince of Spires]

When I've had an argument with my wife I already find it hard to sit down and write. So I can imagine that your current situation amplifies that a hundred times.

I'm not sure I have an answer to how to write in your situation. I'd mainly say to not beat yourself up about it. We're all human. Try to sit down and write. But if the words don't come, then accept. Sometimes life does get in the way, and that's okay. And remember, this too shall pass.

 

[minta]

Yeah, that’s completely understandable. Stress and uncertainty make it really hard to focus. Sometimes, even small writing sessions count.

 

[pmmg]

Yeah, I think war outside counts as a sound reason for not making progress. I think one just has to roll with the punches in some cases, and accept the whatever power above is sending the signal that now is not a good time.

If you must, I suggest moving to the promise of only one sentence a day. If you can achieve that, you get to go to bed with one less worry.