I get asked a lot about what environment I write best in, so it's time I answered it in a post!
Overall, I don't consider myself that picky, but I've tried different things and do have my preferences.
When I write, I usually write at home. My bed is usually pretty comfortable if my back is in a good mood. Otherwise, our dining room chairs are pretty awesome. I've actually only taken my laptop to Starbucks once to get some writing done and it was a really great environment, except for the fact that I people watch. A lot. But that could be considered character research, right?
One reason I like coffee shops for writing is because the temperature is always on the cool side. Even in the winter. I cannot work nearly as well when I'm warm! It completely slows down my brain. Why do I live in Texas, you ask? Because it's the ideal state except for the weather :(
I'm not one of those people who has to have a fuzzy blanket, socks, or certain pens to get some writing done. However, I'm much more likely to get a significant amount of writing accomplished if I get everything I might possibly need
before I sit down to begin. Internet is almost always a must, though I can survive without it in small doses. Water, granola bar, chocolate, laptop, charger, notebook, pens, character sheets, earbuds, and any other resources particular to the project are called for on most occasions. Obviously, lots of space is also in order.
Speaking of earbuds ... I always thought I couldn't write with music (it still says so in my
About Me page). I think the reason for that is I prefer to listen to music with beautiful lyrics and I absolutely cannot do this while writing! It's much too distracting. I'll end up typing lyrics, singing out loud, and researching the artist instead. Whoops. I got
Spotify on my laptop several months back and it has been the best thing! I've rediscovered amazing wordless music and it can help me tune out other things that would be more distracting (like voices). If I am going to be working somewhere perfectly quiet, though, I don't always do music. Silence can also help me think.
When writing, I primarily use my laptop, Sir Percy. Laptops are not as aesthetic as notebooks, but I am a slow(er) writer by hand and my wrist gets tired very fast. So Sir Percy is used for most research, drafting, and all editing. Notebooks I reserve for brainstorming, random ideas, and developments I don't want to forget.
I think that sums it up!
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Be sure to visit my blog next Saturday, Jan 21, because I will be revealing my cover!!
What do you require for your writing environment?
I also write at home most of the time. I guess I would use the library if I wanted another choice.
ReplyDeleteI like the temperature to be cool as well but a little warm if not cool.
Sometimes I don't like using sunlight so I keep the light on xD
I sometimes eat snacks but I can't really snack and write at the same time. These days, I transfer my work into my laptop so I don't mind listening to music while I type.
And now I've decided to listen to piano covers of songs I like :)
DeleteI've never tried writing in the library, but I should at some point! I use lots of artificial light, too, but if there's lots of sunlight I often forget to turn any lights on! :P Mmm piano covers :D The Piano Guys do lots of instrumental covers of pop songs that I enjoy much more than the originals (and can listen to while writing). :)
DeleteOh my word, your writing environment is a lot like mine! :D
ReplyDeleteI can't really snack and write at the same time (I don't know how people do that).
I always listen to music while I write. It helps me focus, because my mind REALLY likes to wander. It doesn't really matter for me if the music has words, though. If you like the wordless music, there is some classical music that I really like that you could look into if you want. It's by Yiruma, and a couple of my favorites are "Kiss the Rain" and "River Flows in You". :)
Really? Cool!
DeleteWell, I'm such a slow writer that I have time to take a bite here and there when I have to pause and consider :)
Ooooh, yes! My cousin recommended Yiruma to me. "Kiss the Rain" is her favorite. I'll make sure I find those on Spotify. Thanks for the recommendation!
Hi! *waves* I'm pretty new here, and I loved your post :)
ReplyDeleteI usually write in my room or in our basement, and like minimal distractions. However, I HAVE to be listening to some sort of music. If the scenes I'm working on are tragic, I'll play epic movie scores. If they're sad, I'll do solo piano classics. If it's just whatever, I'll listen to hillsong, as the lyrics blur as I write ;-)
audrey caylin
Hey, Audrey! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteThat's awesome that music is such a part of your writing. It can definitely help me, but I didn't use music for so long that sometimes silence works. Having 6 younger siblings, there's not a whole lot of silence to go around ;)
Thanks for commenting! I look forward to getting to know you better :)
Oh goodness, I totally relate to what you said about temperature. I CAN'T write in the heat - unless I write a scene where my characters are hot, then I suppose it might be helpful xD. But otherwise ... just no.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait until January 21! :D
~ Savannah
scattered-scribblings.blogspot.com
Right? What is it with that? Being warm (even comfortably warm) completely saps my energy and brain power. True, that might be helpful. But I've been hot a lot in Texas, so I'll just reimagine it XD
DeleteMe either!! I think the cover is almost finished!
Accomplishing everything you can before you sit down to write---YES! I cannot write when I know there are things that need done.
ReplyDeleteEeppppp! So excited to see the cover!! I can't wait! :D
I know XD I have to do every possible chore, straighten up my working space, answer e-mails ... anything that could distract me XD It's usually a bad idea when I don't do that because I work much better in chunks of time!
DeleteThanks!! I cannot wait to show everyone! It's turning out SO well :D
I really enjoyed this post! I have to really prepare before I write too! ^_^
ReplyDeleteThanks, Halee! I know, it's so strange XD But I will be completely unproductive if I have to hop up to do a million things in the middle of trying to work :P
DeleteThanks for commenting!
It's interesting to see people with consistent writing spaces. I've never really had that too much, I get bored of being in a certain area of the house and move to another, from my bed to my floor to the living room. I find it hard to be still in one spot all day. :P
ReplyDeleteBack when I didn't have a laptop and I worked on the stationary family computer then I only had one area, it was actually pretty constructive too, maybe I should restrict myself...
I guess I never really thought about how consistent I am ... I'll do work or e-mail in the living room, but always write in my room. Hm. I guess personality is what makes the difference :) I do move around my room a lot though: floor, bed, chair, stomach ... all sorts of weird things :P
DeleteTrue, that's how I started too, so maybe that's why I still have a particular space. It's really interesting to think that having one working place could affect productivity. If you switch it up, you're welcome to share your scientific conclusions as a guest post ;)
Your writing environment sounds perfect!
ReplyDeleteHehe, thanks! :D
DeleteI love this post! So awesome to see what other writers do. I tend to write more at night, because I am not so busy, and in low light (like christmas lights :D ) And yes! Quiet lyric-less music is so cool. I have so many songs now that I have on my playlist.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Soleil! *high fives fellow nocturnal writer* Oooh and I definitely use low light most of the time now that I think about it ;) I'm still trying to find a lot of soft classical music I like but Spotify is helping. So far Yiruma is super perfect.
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