Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share 21.23: Barrier Breaking: Interruptions
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
21.23: Barrier Breaking: Interruptions
In this episode, our hosts explore one of the most persistent barriers to writing: interruptions. From family members and pets to emails, meetings, fatigue, and neurodivergence, they discuss how disruptions can derail creative focus—and how writers can build systems to work with them instead of against them. The conversation touches on hyperfocus, ADHD, task-switching, and the emotional cost of being pulled out of the zone. Practical strategies include leaving “breadcrumbs” to re-enter a project, using phone settings and routines to protect writing time, and adjusting expectations around productivity. Rather than trying to eliminate interruptions entirely, we encourage writers to understand their habits and create sustainable ways to return to the work.
Homework
Practice handling interruptions in a low-stakes environment by setting a series of alarms for 5, 7, 9, and 15 minutes while you write. Each time an alarm goes off, leave yourself a quick “breadcrumb” note about what you were working on, take a short break, and then return to writing when the next timer starts. The goal is to get better at re-entering your work after interruptions so everyday disruptions feel less frustrating.
Final WXR Cruise!
Our final WXR cruise is almost sold out, grab your spot before June 4th, 2026 here!
Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, Erin Roberts, and DongWon Song. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.
Join Our Writing Community!
Writing Retreats
Newsletter
Patreon
Threads
Bluesky
TikTok
YouTube
Our Sponsors:
* Check out HomeServe and use my code homeserve.com/excuses for a great deal: https://www.homeserve.com
* Check out MasterClass and use my code masterclass.com/EXCUSES for a great deal: https://MasterClass.com
* Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/WX for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
View all episodes
By Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler
4.6
12811,281 ratings
In this episode, our hosts explore one of the most persistent barriers to writing: interruptions. From family members and pets to emails, meetings, fatigue, and neurodivergence, they discuss how disruptions can derail creative focus—and how writers can build systems to work with them instead of against them. The conversation touches on hyperfocus, ADHD, task-switching, and the emotional cost of being pulled out of the zone. Practical strategies include leaving “breadcrumbs” to re-enter a project, using phone settings and routines to protect writing time, and adjusting expectations around productivity. Rather than trying to eliminate interruptions entirely, we encourage writers to understand their habits and create sustainable ways to return to the work.
Homework
Practice handling interruptions in a low-stakes environment by setting a series of alarms for 5, 7, 9, and 15 minutes while you write. Each time an alarm goes off, leave yourself a quick “breadcrumb” note about what you were working on, take a short break, and then return to writing when the next timer starts. The goal is to get better at re-entering your work after interruptions so everyday disruptions feel less frustrating.
Final WXR Cruise!
Our final WXR cruise is almost sold out, grab your spot before June 4th, 2026 here!
Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, Erin Roberts, and DongWon Song. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.
Join Our Writing Community!
Writing Retreats
Newsletter
Patreon
Threads
Bluesky
TikTok
YouTube
Our Sponsors:
* Check out HomeServe and use my code homeserve.com/excuses for a great deal: https://www.homeserve.com
* Check out MasterClass and use my code masterclass.com/EXCUSES for a great deal: https://MasterClass.com
* Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/WX for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
More shows like Writing Excuses
View all
The Allusionist
3,029 Listeners
Helping Writers Become Authors
1,007 Listeners
Dear Hank & John
7,800 Listeners
No Such Thing As A Fish
4,893 Listeners
The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers
630 Listeners
Imaginary Worlds
1,995 Listeners
The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience
228 Listeners
Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice
1,487 Listeners
Maintenance Phase
16,821 Listeners
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
791 Listeners
Depresh Mode with John Moe
825 Listeners
Intentionally Blank
521 Listeners
Essential Guide to Writing a Novel
427 Listeners
Classical Music Happy Hour
244 Listeners
Zero to Well-Read
595 Listeners