We talked a bit about this before. But I'm still interested in hearing more from you. Where do you do your work? I know of writers who head to Starbucks or some cafe. I know of people who hole into a tight closet that's been turned into an office. I know of people who have rented separate writing space to escape the confines of their homes.
I have one friend who only writes after the house has settled down, kids asleep, husband snoring in the next room. She needs the privacy and the quiet.
I have another friend who loves the noise and confusion that comes with writing at her kid's soccer practices. She doesn't stop. Her pad is out, her pen is going and she gets those words on the page. Kari, this sounds like you!
And, the extras. I know one very (very) successful author who can only write with a cup of tea next to her. Water's my thing, well until after 6 pm. Then, maybe a glass of wine. Munchies? I'm not a cookie girl, but I do like carrots (sorry, it's true). Do you have habits that help the process?
What makes it work? I confess that I'm not a big believer in the "Muse." I am a believer in just making it happen. But, having said that, we are creatures of habit. That helps with the patterning that shapes behavior. So, tell us what you do to produce those words, make sure your time is protected, and have the environment that lets you be the writer you are.
13 comments:
I like to write in a variety of places, depending on my mood, or what I'm working on. Sometimes I go to Starbucks, so I won't get distracted by the internet (I leave the laptop at home). It also gives me a chance to observe humans in the wild. :)
Other times I like to write in the library, or at home. I try NOT to have a routine, because then it feels too much like drudgery. LOL And I think it's good to be flexible, so I can work wherever I'm at.
OOH-OOH-pick me!!!
When I'm creating something new, I need quiet. I can drown out the TV, but no music and no verbal interruptions. I can be just about anywhere too, as long as I can go into my "happy place" and be in my story. And OMG, if I'm under the gun to get something finished and out and I'm about to burn the midnight oil - which happens alot since I have a stupid day job - I need BIG bottle of water, 1 cup of coffee, and twizzlers. Wine works any time I'm not under the gun, and that is the preferred beverage.
Now critiquing or revising, I can do anywhere and with anything going on arround me - it's a totally different focus for the barbie-brains. and at this point I don't care so much about the snacks as I do the beverage....you guessed it, WINE!!!!!!!!
Although..now you've got me thinking, because when I write my adult stuff, I know for fact i write better under the influence. But with the YA material, I think it's best to keep the beverages PG for the creativity. so in that case, Pepsi please!
Oh, and places to write would be preferably outside on my deck or front porch simply because I love the sounds of nature and the fresh air. But usually I'm at the dining room table or in the living room. Have laptop will travel!
And I know someone who loves to write in Tuscany.
Donna: I'm always impressed with people who can write in public, like Starbucks. Lindsay, I know you can do that too. I'm such a people watcher that I get totally distracted by those around me. My husband has reminded me many times that, "Hon, are you listening to THEM, or to ME?"
Barbie Jo: I find it intriguing that your setting for writing is influenced by which genre you are working on, and whether you are in the initial creation process or editing. I always seem to need quiet. You are far more talented than I.
Now, Lindsay, don't go telling all of my secrets!!
And the answer to your husband is- watching them
I agree, different strokes and all. I have to have total concentration and no distractions when I'm wriitng new stuff. When I edit, it doesn't matter.
I also like to write in big chucks as opposed to say an hour every day. I would much rather write 8 hours in one day, especially if hubby is at work.
As for freaky habits, I love reading the daily newspaper and doing the sodoku. So, on those eight hour days, I go straight to my desk and then reward myself with the puzzle.
I'm not a wine girl, but I do love Diet A&W Root Beer, another reward.
When I am stuck on a scene, I take a nap as that short period before I nod off is usually a great plot planning session. At least that's what I tell myself!!
I definately agree with the award system. Naps don't work for me because I wouldn't want to get back to work so I wait until bedtime to work through a plot point.
My time is divided. I am up early and like to get right to it. By late afternoon- nap time. I need 30 minutes of nothingness. Then I start up again. But, I still need to figure out how to manage email and telephone calls. People think, "Well, she doesn't have a real job. I'll call." I ignore the phone many times, but the dogs howl with the sound of the phone and of course I have to stop what I'm doing to make sure it's not a parent, a child, a husband, an agent.....
I write best when I'm under pressure. If there's no urgency I'll always put off today what I can write tomorrow. But MAN if I need to get something done by a certain date, I can write pages...
And I'm with Barbie Jo I write better under the influence of much wine!
I can so NOT write in public. I'm too much of a people watcher. I'd get absolutely nothing done.
The best time I wrote was last week when our power transformer in the neighborhood blew. I wrote on my laptop until the battery went dead. I think I did 15 pages. And I didn't check email once. That would be because my wireless network was out also--no power.
Barbie Jo-trade your 'stupid day job' for my stupider evening job.
Wait, on second thought no, I'll keep mine. I can get more edit and/or writing done then. No bosses to nag me.
But now that I'm home after getting more editing done I'm going to enjoy a nice glass of wine.
My favorite time to write has always been after lunch during "naptime" when my kids were little. And now that they are in school, it's still afternoon.
I like my coffee and email and online stuff in the morning, then take a break to get caught up with mom stuff. Then it's an early lunch and non-stop writing until kiddies get home.
I HATE writing at night, I'm just not creative then. I can write early morning if I am under deadline...in fact lately I've written all day long just to get pages in. Ugh.
I too need quiet for new stuff, but the rest doesn't matter. And I like coffee in the morning, diet pepsi or diet coke in the afternoon, and wine at night :-)
Oh and writing in my car at sports practice is very productive. There's nothing else to do so no distractions.
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