How to Stay Focused and Actually Write (in a World Full of Distractions)

One of the most frustrating parts of writing isn’t a lack of ideas, but our inability to stay focused long enough to do something with them.

You sit down to write, open the document, stare at the screen, and… get sidetracked a moment later to research something “important” or check a likely irrelevant notification.

We often talk about flow — that state where writing feels effortless, scenes unfold naturally, and the outside world fades away. For many writers, that feeling is the reason they started writing fiction in the first place.

The problem is that to get into the flow, you first need to focus, which sometimes feels impossible. The good news is that focus is a skill, not a personality trait.

Why Staying Focused While Writing Feels So Hard

Flow takes time to kick in. Sometimes minutes, sometimes hours. But it’s impossible to get into it if your attention is constantly interrupted.

And I can’t blame you; distractions are everywhere:

• A quick idea that (you think) you should absolutely research this very instant

• A phone notification that just might be interesting

• The urge to escape the discomfort of not knowing what to write next by doomscrolling

Sometimes distraction isn’t accidental — it’s a convenient escape when writing feels hard or uncertain. Avoiding the page is easier than sitting with the doubt.

But you don’t need willpower to vanquish the urge to get distracted; you need to build a habit.

Start Small: Focus Is a Muscle

Most of us have forgotten how to concentrate for long periods of time, but that’s not a personal failure, but the consequence of modern life. Focus just isn’t a muscle we train anymore. And trying to write for hours when you’re out of practice is like attempting an intense workout after years of inactivity.

So instead of trying to write for three hours straight (and then feel like a failure when you fail), try:

• Short, repeatable writing sessions (yes, fifteen minutes is a legit writing window)

• Focusing on consistency over intensity

• Gradually extending your focus window

But to get started, even in that capacity, you’ll need to figure a few things out first.

When Are You Most Able to Focus?

To get the most out of your writing window, it’s helpful to ask yourself:

• When do I think most clearly?

• When am I least mentally drained?

• When am I least likely to be interrupted?

For some people, it’s morning, for others, late night. But it’s not about the correct time, but a time that works for you.

Forcing yourself into a schedule that doesn’t match your energy level and responsibilities throughout the day will lead to mediocre work and frustration. Find a time that works for you, and preferably, a time that is most repeatable. 

How Long Can You Realistically Commit?

This is where many writers sabotage themselves. If you aim for two hours a day, you might not last very long. If you commit to no more than five minutes twice a week, progress will feel painfully slow.

You want to choose a writing window that feels:

• Just the right amount of challenging

• Realistic and doable

• Sustainable on bad days

It doesn’t have to be daily, and even three 15-30 minute writing windows a week might be a good start. Remember that you can always extend this window as your focus muscle grows stronger, so you don’t need to stretch yourself too thin from the start.

Create the Right Environment

Training the focus muscle is easier when you’re in the right environment, and the right environment is one that is quiet and free of disruptions. And while we can’t control other people and prevent them from distracting us, there are a few things that are under our control.

1. Silence Your Phone (at least temporarily)

Your phone shouldn’t decide where your attention goes. I know it’s addictive, but to allow yourself a chance to focus, you’ll need to at least:

• Silence notifications during your writing window

• Keep your phone out of reach if possible

2. Make Yourself Hard to Reach

Choose a location where interruptions are unlikely. You might not be able to control how people act, but you can make it harder for them to find you. So think of a location where you can bland into the shadows and disappear from sight. Places like:

• Private office or library spaces, if at work or school

• A closed room or a secluded area, if at home

• A clear signal that you can’t be disturbed (like a closed door or a prior conversation to let people know that you’re busy).

Focus requires intentional barriers. This is your time, so treat it like it matters.

Consistency Comes Before Motivation

But finding the perfect writing window isn’t the hard part — committing to it, however, is. And to be able to focus and tap into flow in a way that feels natural, you’ll need a long commitment.

So accept the fact that it’s going to be a process. You might need to adjust, you might need to resist, you might feel that it’s not working for a while.

But once you learn to focus and write — even for fifteen minutes a day, consistently — extending that time and getting into the flow becomes easier and easier. It’s motivation that follows action, and not the other way around.

Final Thoughts

Writing is a challenging skill to master as it is, and with distractions all around, it can feel impossible. But focusing isn’t something you’re innately good or bad at, it just takes practice.

So start small, remove distractions, protect your writing time, and you’ll see how your ability to focus increases over time.

And if you found this article helpful (even though, I’m now realizing, there were no goblins in it) consider subscribing for more short stories, writing tips, and occasional silliness (promise I won’t spam!)