Averb form ending in -ing and used as a noun is a(n)

I think you described a typical gerund. In English we use -ing form for verb to make a noun in a sentence. For instance, my brother usually listens his favorite songs when driving. The last word 'driving' is gerund from a verb 'to drive'.

Ibelieve the topic sentence is [1] keeping my mind on my writing is not easy when i stay at my grandfather's ocean-side cottage. hope this : )