I'm not sure how this works for other writers, but I'm kind of particular about the spaces in which I work. I've always liked the idea of writing in coffee houses and such, and I used to romantically express my goal as wanting to "move to Paris and write poetry in cafes." Now, that's more or less how I do it--just not in Paris. I like to write in places that are public but also a little quiet, and I've gotten so used to it that I'm nearly incapable of writing at home. I do almost all of my writing in coffee houses, bookstores, or quiet restaurants.
I like to be around people while I work, but the coffee or bookstore atmosphere also inspires creativity. Leaving home also makes me more productive, because I don't let myself leave my chosen location until I've accomplished something. At home I'll get distracted, start pacing the room, turn on music or the TV, or fall asleep if I get stuck at a difficult spot in whatever I'm writing. I can't do that if I'm sitting in Starbuck's. The presence of caffeine also helps. In Baton Rouge, it's particularly nice because I get to enjoy Community Coffee (CC's), which is absolutely the best tasting coffee in the world. The coffee and tea habit is expensive to feed, though!
I suppose I should try to get over my mental block about writing at home, but for now it's not a problem, and it's a quirk that I'm a little proud of.
The website at http://www.whereiwrite.org has photos of fantasy and sci fi writers in their working spaces. Most seem to have rooms or offices surrounded by books. I imagine one day I would like to have a library or office in my house where I could work. I'd even like to have a small cabin somewhere, where I could retreat to write for a while. At this point, when I've variously lived in a dorm, sorority house, apartment, home, and soon another apartment, I don't have those options.
Where do other people like to write?
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Allison, here in Lexington I like to write at The Patisserie on N. Main (a short walk down the hill from my office in Payne). The townie secret is that although technically they don't open till 11 M-F, if you go to the Patisserie anytime after 8 a.m., the door is unlocked, the coffee is on, and you can get a goodie to go with it. They just don't have an official counter person till later, but someone from the kitchen will wait on you, and coffee is self-serve (and Greenberry's!) anyhow. Lots of locals just stroll in early. While it's still nice out, I prefer the outdoor tables.
ReplyDeleteOf course the Lex. Coffee Shop is GREAT too; just watch out, on Wednesday mornings it's a meeting place for local musicians to jam. Good music, but not so condusive to writing.