Insecure Writers Support Group (IWSG) Monthly Post: Writing Pet Peeves
What are your pet peeves when reading/writing/editing?
Sound.
I can’t deal with certain noises when I am trying to focus on written words, whether I am reading them, writing them, or editing them. I need to be fully immersed in the story, and when I hear people talking or music playing, I just can’t focus. It pulls me right out of the story. Reality slaps me in the face.
Some writers go to café’s to write. I can’t unless the place is empty and there are no people talking in it. I can maybe think of one time I wrote in a café.
Other’s put music on while they write. Now, if I am driving or running, music can help me think of a story, but as a soon as I actually sit down the write it, the music goes off.
The worst, though, is when I am fully immersed in a story and then someone walks in to the room and asks me a question. My brain just shuts down completely. I forget what I am writing, and have not clue what the person said. We both get frustrated. That person thinks I am ignoring them. I am mad that I lost my immersion in the story.
The conversation never turns out to be a pleasant one.
I have other pet peeves, but they have more to do with the stories themselves. I can’t stand it when dogs and cats die in books. I drive myself nuts when I catch my self switching tense five times one page. I hate it when I find myself aimlessly wandering I and stories world without any direction.
Still, even though these things annoy me, none are as bad as someone asking me if I fed the cat when I am in the middle of an epic battle, or worse, a love scene.
Sara Codair 
This is my first time here, Sara. I’ll follow your blog and connect with you on social media.
Oh my gosh, Sara. I am the same way. I like quiet whether I’m writing or reading. Don’t talk to me. I’m concentrating. Thanks for sharing this.
http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com
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Welcome to IWSG! I hate being interrupted when I’m immersed in a story. That’s always the worst!
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Thanks!
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I’m ok with noise when I’m writing, and love to have music on in the background. However I hate noise when I’m editing and get really crabby if someone tries to talk to me while I’m doing it 😀
I think my biggest peeve when I’m actually writing is having someone behind me, even if they’re not looking at what I’m doing. I hate the feeling of being watched when I’m trying to create!
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Being watched would drive me nuts too!
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I’m very lucky. I was raised in a family of five. Younger brothers and sisters so I learned to shut the world out. I can concentrate in a crowd. I don’t hear a thing, and people will talk to me and I don’t even hear them. Family gets very frustrated with me. 🙂 But it’s really a blessing.
But to sleep – total darkness and complete silence, please! LOL
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I wish I had your ability to filter things out like that!
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“The conversation never turns out to be a pleasant one.” Absolutely!
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