I’m 50 pages into my second novel and I’m really excited about it. Except… well, now I have to write another 250 pages. I can do this. I’m home from work and I have a nice hot cup of English Breakfast tea in my hands. I stare at the computer screen. Perhaps I’ll feel inspired to write if I just let myself…
1. Go on Twitter
Yeah! If I browse other people’s tweets I’ll totally realize what I want to write about. Wait? It’s already been an hour? $&%#!!
2. Check email
Cause you know, maybe an agent who forgot about me has decided to write me back, declaring they loved my manuscript and can’t wait to call me. Or not. But hey! Look at all the people on gchat!
3. Check Facebook 
Because stalking people is fun, right? Except some are really annoying. Maybe they’d make great characters?! I totally need to continue spying on stranger’s pages for research purposes.
4. Check UsWeekly, People and Dlisted
Because I really need to know if Demi and Ashton are breaking up and have more reasons to dislike pretentious Gwyneth Paltrow.
5. Terrorize the cat
Just look at how fat and cute and cuddly he is. How can I resist going over there to smother him with love?
6. Open the Refrigerator
Because snacking on pita chips and dipping into the hummus quartet from Trader Joe’s will spark my creative juices. I’ll start writing as soon as I’ve finished eating this carton of cottage cheese.
7. Go on BBC news
I need to be informed about what’s going on in the world. Yes, I’ll do that before I start writing. Okay… now I’m depressed.
8. Turn on the Television
Hello vacuous Kardashian sisters who I love to hate, creepy mothers of Toddlers in Tiaras and my favorite of all- the spray tanned beauties from My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding!!! And then maybe I’ll watch Say Yes to The Dress…I am getting married after all!
9. Read
Because reading is what makes you a better writer, right? I need to finish this book before I can get back to writing my draft.
10. Blog
Oh…hello there! You caught me. But you see, I had to write this post as part of building my author platform. If I don’t blog then agents won’t like me. Yeah okay, writing the actual book is important too. I guess I’ll go get to work on that now. 
Jolyse Barnett
/ September 29, 2011Hilarious, and so, so true! Have you been spying on me, Mer??
I’m addicted to my email, always telling myself I need to check it b4 I can settle into writing. Then I’ll take the Twitter break, like I did just now (and you see where that led me). I’m pretty good about my blog, devote one three-five hour session for that per week. Television is off-limits. Well, except for HGTV House Hunters International, that Food Chef show, NCIS (Mark Harmon is a hottie), and now XfactorUSA. Oh, and Glee. But watching television counts as research, right??
So funny…I’ll have to subscribe to your blog. Look forward to your posts.
Back to work for me. After I take a quick snack break, that is.
Meredith Jaeger
/ September 30, 2011This is hilarious! Thank you so much for stopping by Jolyse! Oh my gosh, Glee- yes…that is a welcome distraction. And I am unfamiliar with this hot man on NCIS, so I will google him now as part of further procrastination!
Piper Bayard
/ September 30, 2011Lol. This is all just waaaay too true.
Meredith Jaeger
/ September 30, 2011Glad you liked it. Thanks for stopping by!
offilerkristin
/ September 30, 2011Oh Meredith, I can’t tell you how much I relate to this post and how much I laughed while reading this! I am the *queen* of writing distractions. I hate it, but I can’t seem to stop. But oh it’s SO good to know I’m not alone!
Meredith Jaeger
/ September 30, 2011Oh Kristin I was so bad today! I wrote this blog, went on twitter and saw this #chicklitchat session, met all these awesome chick lit writers, talked on the phone and failed to write any pages on my new novel. You are not alone!!
Sally Hepworth
/ September 30, 2011So funny. Right now I’m reading your blog when I should be writing :s
Meredith Jaeger
/ September 30, 2011Sally!! I haven’t written a word since we swapped. Eeeekkk! I need to get back on track!
Carol
/ September 30, 2011Omigosh, this is so funny. That cat looks exhausted from playing video games!
Meredith Jaeger
/ September 30, 2011It’s okay mom, you can comment as yourself! (my mom likes to make me seem more popular than I am and I love her)
Sylvester misses you. Look how fat Will and I have let him get!! And I can’t wait for the next marathon of Gypsy Wedding!! xoxoxox
Angela
/ September 30, 2011Haha! This was soooo funny! I’m the same way, so don’t feel bad ;o) I think I could’ve written this list myself! I’m so glad I’m not the only one captivated by “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding”, lol. That show is like a car wreck–you don’t want to look, but for some reason, you can’t stop yourself!
Meredith Jaeger
/ September 30, 2011Isn’t it fascinating? Their accents, their culture, those dresses- it’s just too much! Haha I’m so glad you watch it too!
Leanne Shirtliffe
/ October 1, 2011How true (and funny) is that. I’d add kids, husbands, and looking for my notebook.
Meredith Jaeger
/ October 2, 2011Oh yes, I don’t have any kids yet. I admire every single one of my writing friends who are mothers. You are like superwomen!
JM Randolph
/ October 1, 2011You nailed it. Except I usually opt for cleaning something instead of TV. This isn’t as goody-good as it sounds. It is because there are five other people in line for the remote before me, and I generally have to clean (or at least de-clutter) something to be able to physically reach another distraction, like the refrigerator, or the dogs.
Meredith Jaeger
/ October 2, 2011Haha, yes I need to do my Sunday cleaning today. My writing space is pretty badly cluttered right now, and I do feel the urge to de-clutter before getting down to business. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
marykateleahy
/ October 3, 2011That hummus quartet looks delicious!! I have a hummus addiction. The internet is so distracting. That’s why I like to go write in a coffee shop where I don’t know how to fix the wi-fi. My natural reticence to bother people will keep me from asking, and I get work done. Funny stuff
Meredith Jaeger
/ October 3, 2011Ha! That is genius.
I feel self conscious when I work in coffee shops, like strangers are going to read over my shoulder (or creepy men-lol). But a lack of wi-fi would definitely increase productivity.
Glad you like hummus as much as I do! It’s sooo good
alex wenman
/ October 6, 2011i have the same problem with distraction from writing i always seem to write around 10 pages and get ever so slightly distracted and before i know it ive been on facebook or internet shopping for nearly 2 hours and so i carry on writing but by this point i have lost all motivation and my ideas for what is going to happen next are all gone!! maybe i should get a notepad and write all my favourite idea’s down this way the devil that is facebook wont destroy my hopes of eventually finishing my book.