100 Tips About Life, People, and Happiness. Traveling Toward Grace — elephant rock. In writing, it's easy to give your attention to the wrong things: description of places that aren't essential, the backstory of a character who never appears again, even the writing of the story above the story itself. In life, this is also true. You may find yourself obsessing over petty slights, untamed fears, gossip that gets your heartbeat up, even too much positive recognition for the wrong things, the things that aren't your one true thing. These are all distractions.
Like little sparklers, they burn brightly to demand your attention, but the reality is they are not the main event. The more attention you grant these distractions, the less attention you have to give to tending the real fire of your story. And your life. Be vigilant. Upcoming Writing Retreats: Summer Solstice Retreat at Stout's Island Madeline Island Writing Intensive for Young Women Write for Your Life: Memoir Writing Intensive. Quora. Paper.li. Welcome to Open Library. Social Media Infographics.