Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The Way We Are: Writing Spaces



The posts I've written asking about how we do things have been some of my very favorites to hear everyone's responses on! I love to see the things we do things the same and the things we do things differently. And a lot of times in the comments, people say really cool ways to do things that I had never thought of before! So I thought I'd make the Way We Are feature more of a weekly Wednesday one, instead of an occasional Wednesday one.

This week, what I'm curious about is where we write.

For me, I edit best at my desktop computer. I love the big screen, the ergo keyboard, my mouse, and space to spread out notes.

As far as drafting, though, I use my mini laptop, and go anywhere other than my desk. I use my desktop for so many things that when I sit down there, my mind isn't always in write-mode. My mini laptop, though, gets used ONLY for writing. If it's in my hands, I'm ready to go. I write at the kitchen table, in the yard, at a neighborhood mom & pop fast food establishment I've loved since childhood, at the library, at the park, or in some location that reminds me of my WIP's setting.

Curious minds want to know how similar our writing spaces are. Where do you write?

In a nice, organized office space?

On the couch?

In a cluttered office?

In a corner of your house?

With your cat trying to sit on your keyboard?

Child on your lap, trying to press extra keys?

Dog at your feet?

In bed?

At a cafe?

A bookstore?

A restaurant?

In a cozy nook at a library?

In a secret, secluded place?

At the beach?

By a river?

In the mountains?

Or hiding out somewhere, hoping you won't be found?

If I got to choose out of those pictures on the right which place I wanted to write (assuming it was near my house, so I didn't have to spend all my writing time traveling), I'd choose the beach. Or the mountains. Or that cottage all nestled away amongst the trees. Or even the outdoor cafe. Ooo. Or in the big library.

Tell us. Where do you usually write? And if you could choose, where do you WANT to write?

28 comments:

Emily R. King said...

I outline anywhere — outside, on the couch, in bed (usually in the middle of the night when an idea comes to me) and at my desk. Once I get past the outline stage, I write my first draft at my desk. Except for when I print my book out and take it with me everywhere I go, I work at my desk in my living room, right in the middle of everything. It's lovely.
BTW, great idea for Wednesdays. It'll be fun to see what everyone else says!

Leigh Ann said...

I've been testing this out. Bookstores with hard chairs are the best. Just being in the PRESENCE of the books is so inspirational. Plus my house is such a disaster that it would be way too easy for me to be doing housework all day long and find myself with no words written.

BUT. I do have a beloved corner at home with all kinds of inspiration tacked on a wall behind a desk. Including pictures of my MCs. So, in an ideal world where my husband has actually done any household chores (ha! ahhaha!) I can work in there.

In reality, My one-year-old is a spider monkey who clings to my torso for about 50% of my drafting. Stephenie Meyer did it, and so can I. *deep breaths*

Stacy Henrie said...

Right now I use my desktop computer for writing. Occasionally I'll use the laptop and sit on my bed.

I left you an award on my blog!

Kelley Lynn said...

I use my laptop and write at my kitchen table, my bed or on my balcony overlooking the golf course. (When I have enough battery ;))

If I could write anywhere? I'd go with the beach, or a lake cottage. Well... really anywhere I haven't been before. Love to travel :)

Great idea for a weekly post!

DRC said...

Ohh that little cottage surrounded by trees would be lovely. That's dream my setting. Woodland, with a cosy little log cabin and an open fire.

In reality, it's much like the desk with the cat on the keyboard an dsurrounded by paper. I have a laptop that I used to work on whilst on the sofa, but now I work from home with a desk. Sometimes I can't be bothered to switch off one and work from the other, so I stay at my desk. And I like to listen to music while I write so a quiet setting just wouldn't do me...

Jennie Bennett said...

I always write at my desktop, it kind of nice to have the familiarity :)

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

I write everywhere and anywhere, which is why I have a laptop and extra batteries. But, I do have home base, which is my office/house guest room.

If I could choose, I'd write on or close to an ocean beach.

Jenny S. Morris said...

The family computer is in the living room, so not a lot of piece and quiet there. Sadly I do not have a laptop. So I do most of my writing on paper first, in my room. Then I type it into the computer either after my kids go to sleep or on my lunch break at work.

I would LOVE to be able to take a laptop and go write by the river, or in a park, or at a library. But until the laptop fairy comes I am stuck in my room ;0)

Aurora Smith said...

IM follower number 200, I accept muffic baskets!

Pretty blog.

I have ADHD and the nosier it is the better I can focus. If its quiet im looking around, going on FB, Failblog, other blogs. SO a good coffee shop with no internet access is excellent. BUT, im a mom so I usually write at home when the kids are screaming; sweet music!

Abby Fowers said...

I usually write on my laptop in bed or in the office. Not a fun cool office, but a little dinky one with a card table as a desk. I wish I had an awesome office. I would LOVE to just sneak away to Starbucks and write for hours. I also love the mountains. Beaches are pretty but I hate sand.

Mark said...

Due to my work schedule I've learned to write anywhere, literally. In a waiting room, on a bus, any spare area in any spare time I've got goes to writing:)

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I write in a panic room 20 stories underground with no natural light, a concrete floor with a throw carpet and air conditioning. These are ideal conditions as sunlight will reduce me to ashes.

Bethany Crandell said...

In my house,
in my bed,
in the tub
with a mouse on my head.

:)

Wherever/whenever I can. Most of my concepts evolve under the blow dryer. Then I pen out an outline in a spiral notebook. The home computer, a catch-all for just about everything south of Oregon, is where I knock out the bulk of my work. Someday I will have an office at home--and no one will be allowed!

Laila Knight said...

I write in a dog/office with two dogs at my feet demanding a petting after each paragraph. :) It's perfect.

Lan said...

I have a spare room at home that I've named 'The Workshop' (It's got a sign and everything!)where I do most of my writing. The desk and floor are littered with hand written notes, old receipts and various bits of junk. I think I'm one of those writers who revels in organised mess. The funny thing is that I find I actually write best during my lunch times at work. I'll just open up an email and type away for an hour and then email the section to myself...and yes, sometimes I do go over the hour :)

M Pax said...

I usually write at my deskstop staring at my wall of inspiration. Sometimes I take the netbook out for a change of scenery. I find a lack of internet does wonders for my productivity.

Jeff King said...

I write in a corner of my CRAMPED living room… if I could choose: it would be on top of a mountain in a cozy cabin, with a stock pile of cold beer and pre-seasoned steaks.

E.D. said...

As for actual writing (not plotting etc), as long as I have my laptop, anywhere will work. I usually prefer late at night on the sofa or at the dining table, when no one else is around.

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

I can write anyplace on anything.

David P. King said...

I'm trying real hard to get my nook set up the way I'd like. It's kind of like setting up an antenna to catch the right reception. Once it's finished, I'll be able to tap into the cosmic story depository more efficiently. :)

Shell Flower said...

Great idea for Wednesdays, Peggy. Since I work at a desktop all day at work, I like to write on my laptop on the couch with my cat cuddled up to me (he's here right now). I have a cool little laptop desk with ergo pads and a pillow on the bottom to keep my laptop from overheating on my lap and to help me type comfortably. Couch surfer all the way!

Hannah Hounshell said...

I can write pretty much anywhere if I have a black college rule notebook. If I don't have mine with me I'll write notes and snippets, but no actual chapters. Its a weird quirk. Don't ask, lol.

Edits require all my notes, a comfortable seat, and either a red pen or a mouse. Now that I have a wireless mouse, I can edit on either my little laptop or my desktop. It's easier on the desktop, though.

Music is always a plus, but silence is better. And I have to have a water bottle nearby. If I don't then I spend more time getting up for a drink then I do writing.

I want to write outside, but there are too many pests in my area. From bugs to boys that think they're all that and I should talk to them instead of work....nuff said there >_<

Lydia Kang said...

Everywhere! In my bedroom, on the floor, in coffeeshops, in the dining room...I'm pretty flexible. :)

Anonymous said...

Great post Peggy! So cool to see how everyone else writes.
I write my drafts anywhere - mostly on my lap top - away from my desk.
Then I revise and edit on my desktop - rarely anywhere else.

linda said...

When I was younger I'd occasionally write in a notebook by hand, but now I mostly write in my room with my laptop. I think it'd be fun to write in a cafe. :)

Chantele Sedgwick said...

I write in my living room while my hubby is watching netflix. :) I like to be in the same room as him, even if I have my headphones on and ignore him while I write. ;) I'd love to have my own little room for just me, but I do with what I have. :)

Alleged Author said...

I will write wherever no one interrupts me (and it's clean). :P

DEZMOND said...

these all look lovely, Peggy!
I myself love writing and working in a cozy but clean, spotless and minimalistic surroundings, and a view of nature is very welcome too :)