Do you LOVE to write? Are you so zeroed in on your writing that you are oblivious to distractions? In fact, distractions do not exist during this "Twilight Zone” period of time—you keep on writing. When you are in "The Writing Zone” you ignore hunger pangs, ringing phones, yelling kids, bathroom breaks, etc. You lose all track of time: An hour seems like five minutes. Is that you?

When writers are in this state they LOVE what they are doing and are usually highly skilled at it. The sheer pleasure of writing is what motivates the writer. Wouldn't you like to be in The Writing Zone so that you can write your great book effortlessly? There are many ways to enter The Writing Zone.

• Be calm and stay focused on your writing. Once focus locks in, it takes on a force of its own. You are in your own private writing area where there are no distractions.

• You can enter the Zone when you are highly skilled at the task at hand. A good example is an athlete. The more an athlete practices the better he becomes.

• You can concentrate best when the demands of your writing are greater than usual, such as a publisher's deadline.

• The Writing Flow is devoid of emotional feelings except for a highly motivated feeling of mild ecstasy. You are elated at what you are writing. You cannot stop.

The joy of the flow. When you are in this state you love what you are doing. You are pushing the limits of your ability to sustain the flow. You stop everything else you are doing at the time to fully concentrate on your activity. It is at this time you may get angry with someone who interrupts you and breaks the flow.

How to get the flow. We all want to achieve our goals experiencing the "joy of the writing flow.” We will get through the goal much faster. Here are 10 ideas on how to get The Writing Flow:

1. First, you must want to write above all else.

2. You are totally immersed in it and no other thoughts enter your mind.

3. You master your craft—great authors spend hours at a time learning their craft.

4. Practice. Practice. Practice. Keep a journal of what you write and the time you write. You may be surprised to discover that you do not put as many hours a week into you
   r writing as you thought.

5. You become extremely competent at what you do.

6. Internally you feel you are engaged in a task that is RIGHT!

7. The key is to learn to overcome "noise” and interference, whether internal or external.

8. Develop a routine to your writing. Have your desk set up exactly as you want it to accomplish your task. If that includes a cup of coffee by all means have that cup of coffee ready before you start. If you must write with a yellow pad as opposed to a white one or a computer, then have plenty of yellow pads available.

9. Stay with the Moment. Focus on the task at hand, PERIOD. Do not let your thoughts drift to the future or "you go right out of your zone”—and take your concentration with you.

10. You can take a short break to "get the creative juices flowing again.” Take deep breaths. Stay calm. Enjoy the moment. Relax your muscles. Do not start a conversation with anyone unless it is about your writing.

You have experienced "being in the Zone” in your life many times. You may not have realized at the time what was happening. Being in The Writing Zone is as good as it gets. It is for all of us to experience and enjoy.