I work four days a week and fit my writing in around this and domestic life. Typically, I try to write all Wednesday afternoon and for most of Sunday morning. But this is easier said than done. It seems that the moment I sit down, the phone rings, someone knocks at the door with a delivery or a friend decides to pop by expecting coffee. This is nothing compared to the disturbances from my family when they are all home at the weekend. However much I beg to be left in peace, they call me to the phone, shout up the stairs or just walk into the room, sit down and start talking. Perhaps I should be used to it by now, but I find it almost impossible to get back to where I was, once my train of thought is broken. So a lot of my precious time is wasted. Short of using earplugs and putting a bolt on the door, how do I deal with these constant interruptions? Or learn to write around them? Do you have any tips for politely discouraging visits and phone calls on these days?
GILLIAN SINCLAIR Carmarthen