Trying to Concentrate When You're a Writer

Writers have a million stories going through their heads, and characters continually roam the plateaus of a writer's brain. This causes more and more ideas to be churned out. It also causes potential issues, especially when story-related things are clamoring for attention at inconvenient times.

(in bed)

Person:  "I'm going to sleep now."

Inner Writer:  "Psst, did you know this character has unusually heightened empathic abilities, a rare trait among the elves?"

Person:  "We'll discuss it in the morning."

Inner Writer:  "Imagine what that must be like every day. How would it benefit things, and how would it make things more difficult?"

Person:  "Good night, insane fantasy writer. We'll discuss this later."

Inner Writer:  "So he would be trying to block these things, because it can be overwhelming at times. It wouldn't always be successful, though, because he's so sensitive to these emotions. Let's explore scenarios involving this!"

(three hours later)

Person:  "Can I please go to sleep now?!"

Inner Writer:  "No, no, I still have lots of planning to do!"

Person:  (groans)

(in school)

Isaiah:  "I was born in Alaska, but through a series of events, I ended up here. I was around six when I stumbled through the portal, and..."

Teacher:  "Meowmocha?"

Person:  "Huh?"

Teacher:  "What's the next step to solve this math problem?"

Person:  (looks at half-finished algebra equation on the overhead projector) "Uh..."

Teacher:  "Heidi, would you like to help Meowmocha out here?"

Isaiah:  "Yes, I've heard about those prophecies."

Jack:  "Do you know what they mean?"

Teacher:  "Does that make sense now, Meowmocha?"

Person:  "Uh, yeah." (nods vigorously)

Teacher:  "Good." (hands out algebra quizzes)

Person:  (fails algebra quiz)

(at church)

Inner Writer:  "You know, you should really iron out some details about this family. Where do they live? What's the culture like there?"

Person:  "It's like me trying to pay attention to the real world."

Inner Writer:  "Keep in mind that English isn't the primary language there. The main character only understands English. This could potentially complicate things."

Person:  "There's a sermon going on here."

Inner Writer:  "So when the main character goes to church with this family, will be the sermon be in English or..."

Person:  "Shoo! Scat! We'll world-build later!"

Inner Writer:  "But..."

Person:  "Good-bye! I've already lost track of what the pastor is saying!"

Inner Writer:  "Oooh, and we should add song lyrics to the story! Let's decide on hymns right now."

Person:  (throws Inner Writer into a prison cell far away in a fantasy world)

Inner Writer:  "But wait! I have more!"

Person:  (ignores Inner Writer and steps into portal to Earth)