For some writers, the place they go to in order to create is
sacred to them. Maybe it’s a private office, maybe it’s a favorite coffee shop,
or even propped up in bed. Wherever their space, it NEEDS to be that space, the
same space—ALWAYS.
I get that. Working
in psychology, I know how powerful setting events can be with regards to
prompting behaviors.
For me, I have always been able to read pretty much anywhere
and under almost any conditions. Growing up in a chaotic household and now
having one of my own, I have become something of a master at ‘tuning-out’ the
external world.
Fortunately, I can usually do the same thing with my
writing.
I do have a loft-space office in our home, but I will tell
you that there is no door and it is used for pretty much everything except
writing. I do revise there because the monitor screen is bigger and it’s easier
to work on multiple documents at once.
But as far as the initial writing, I do it everywhere:
My backyard
In the car (when husband is driving)
Various coffee shops and restaurants
In my family room (sometimes during commercials when I’m
watching a show)
In bed
In the bath (paper and pen propped on the side of the tub)
Airplanes and airports
Once, in line at Six Flags (paper and pen during a 60min
line!)
On a bench at Six Flags while my kids are riding a
rollercoaster I won’t
At the pool
At the beach
On the bus commuting to work
Etc, etc
I have two kids (11 and almost 10), I work full time as a
school psychologist, and I am hell bent on creating a successful writing
career. (as I personally define it J
) My life is busy, and fast, and highly prone to colossal interruptions.
And I love ALL of it.
I take my laptop (MacBookAir so it’s small) and a pen and
notebook with me everywhere so that if and when a ‘writing-time opportunity’
presents itself, I’m prepared to take advantage.
It’s not a method that would work
for everyone—but if it didn’t work for me, I probably wouldn’t ever write at
all.
I'm pretty much the same way - can write anywhere. I think it's because I'm in the school environment, too. As a teacher you have to be able to tune out background noise or you'd be constantly shushing people. Never wrote at Six Flags in line for a roller coaster though! :)
ReplyDeleteKym, that Six Flags line removed every excuse I'll ever have for not writing. :-)
DeleteFun Post! I have a MacBookAir too and absolutely love it, mainly because of how easy it is to move around and travel with. Some of my most productive writing experiences have been places I never would've expected like at the airport or poolside :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy I have this...especially today as I'm packing to leave for the Bahamas!
DeleteI do most my writing in the family while my husband watches TV. I can't see the screen on my laptop if I'm outside, or I'd write outside all the time. I think today's busy schedules forces us to write whenever and wherever we can. =)
ReplyDeleteSo true! I really feel for writer who have to have that "perfect" environment in order to write. It can be so limiting!
DeleteMacBook Air for me, too. When I started writing, the writing space/situation had to be very precise: no one else in the house, no sound, no interruptions. Basically in solitary confinement. I realized those were just excuses not to write if one or the other weren't the way I thought I "needed" it to be or the stars weren't perfectly aligned. I got over it. Now I write in coffee shops, at write ins with writer buddies where we stop and chat, in bed, outside. Wherever. I don't need any more excuses not to write. :p
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think under those conditions we can mistakenly sort of blame others or our current circumstances...when really it's just us procrastinating. But worst of all--I hate to hear writers who blame their family for lack of productivity. :-(
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