Blog Chain: Your Writing Space
Today’s blog chain is brought to us by Bonny. She asks: “Is there a place you like to write that’s extra special? Have you carved out a writing niche? Is there a certain time of day (or night) when the words fall into place, and your brain is focused on nothing but writing?”
I have 4 places that I write, but I wouldn’t call any of them special. But they’re more important than special; they’re functional. And that’s all I need these days.
The first place is the local library, but I haven’t been there all summer because its hours got reduced due to lack of funding. When I did go there, there was a room in the back that was my favorite writing spot. There was no door but it had plugs for my laptop and a desk and it was quiet. Perfection.
The second place is the library in the next town over. It opened a whole hour before the library in my town, and while there was no separate room, there was this section all the way in the back that reminded me of a little greenhouse. Big windows provided light and there was a variety of plants around. When my son goes back to school in the fall, I’ll be at this library again which is around the corner from his school–another bonus.
The third place I write, and it’s probably where I have written the most, is the local Panera. There’s internet service, food, coffee (mucho coffee), and plugs. It’s always open, and I only have to remember to bring a sweater in the summer since they turn down the temps to iceberg levels.
My house is the fourth place. And I don’t even write in an office, just the family room on the couch. I only write here at night or when my son is in camp. If he’s home, it has to be one of the 3 places above. I tried writing home once while my husband watched the almost 3 year old. It involved a lot of crying and banging on the office door. And that was just from my husband. :-p
Before I was a mom, I liked writing in the office, sometimes in a park to break things up. Now, it’s more anyplace I can. Anytime I can. There’s no “best” time because anytime I get a free moment, that’s the best.
But if we’re talking ideal place to write, like my dream place? It would be a house on the beach or log cabin, hands down. I’ve completed drafts in these environments and was so productive. The quiet and atmosphere was so inspiring and taking a break to hike through paths or walk/jog amidst waves keeps my creativity flowing.
For more writing space inspiration, check out Christine’s post from yesterday and Sarah’s post tomorrow.
It seems as if all of us writer moms suffer from lack of writing time!
So sad that they cut the funding to your local library! I’d be lost without mine. And I totally hear ya about writing with a toddler.
Oh yes, the beach or in the middle of a forest…sweet!
Great spots for writing. I don’t think I could sit on the couch and write though. I’m with you about a cabin or some other scenic location. That would be my ideal place as well.
So library funding’s affecting writers pre-publication, too? Blergh. On an up note, the thought of taking a break to walk a trail sounds fantastic.
Writing with toddlers is hard! I wish I had a writing place away from home like you do. Finding places to hunker down and write, adapting to those places is a skill most writers learn pretty darn quickly.
I love hanging out in library’s, but alas, they don’t have coffee!!!! So I end up spending a lot of time at the B&N cafe. Thanks for sharing!!!
The funding is being cut from our libraries too. Absolutely a shame. I also sometimes write at a park. It’s just so peaceful there.
“It involved a lot of crying and banging on the office door. And that was just from my husband. :-p”
Bwah-ha-ha-ha!!! Okay, that just cracked me up – definitely in the funny because it’s true category for me.