No snow days for writers

The best part about being a freelance writer and workshop leader is getting to work from home. And as most folks I know who work from home will tell you -- it's also the most challenging part.

Which reminds me about being a freelance writer and workshop leader with ADD. The best part is having a million ideas an hour and getting to shift from one topic to another at any second. And -- you guessed it -- that's also the most challenging part.

On Monday, I found myself dashing through about 50 important tasks in the course of three hours. On Tuesday, I wrote two important e-mails, made lunch, and spent the remainder of the day websurfing, reading Mark Twain & Anne Frank, and playing an utterly pointless, utterly addictive Flash game for hours on end.

So, being a work-from-home writer means also being a bit of a psychologist.
- What's going to trigger me to produce my best work today?
- How can I head off distractions at the pass?
- What subconscious fear is keeping me from success?
- Is there someone I can recruit who will tear the laptop from my mindlessly clicking fingers and order me to refocus (threats of violence might help)?

OK, time to hit the library and rock these submissions! (I am not posting this at watergun-point. But that might be necessary tomorrow.)