Cassy’s Corner- Where We Write

I have been thinking about the environment of our writing and of our reading. By environment I mean “where” it happens. I’m out of the country right now in a spot I come to often. Something happens here. The views, the peace, the change of pace. I can’t quite explain it. But, I seem to produce more words on the page than I do at home. I’ve stopped thinking about coming here as a vacation, it’s more my time to produce. I often come alone, only to work.

Why is that? I’ve asked myself that question many times. Is it that the phone doesn’t ring? I don’t have the plumber arriving? My list of “have to do” is less?

Yet, in this location it is a very common tradition for people to arrive at our door unannounced. I keep the kitchen perfectly cleaned. I’m showered and nicely dressed early in the morning. Only because I never know who might arrive. There is always some bit of food to offer a guest- that’s just how it’s done. I am in a rural spot. It’s 20 minutes to find milk or bread, yet people show up. It’s wonderful to have the connections, but still not the same as my house in Connecticut where no one would come without a phone call first.

Even with the potential intrusions (and today is my birthday so there is a constant stream through the house), I put more words on a page here than at home. My work space at home is lovely. I have nothing to complain about- well, the two Golden Retrievers might differ.

What happens when you move to a different location? I read more here. I relax more, but most importantly, the words magically appear. Why is that? Maybe it’s guilt- gotta do this, that, whatever when I am home. Maybe it’s also a sense that I have flown for 10 hours, driven another 2, settled in and now have the responsibility to produce? Or, is there a sense of place that facilitates the writing?

Where do you work? What makes a difference for you?