Before you write a good plot, you need a good place to write.
Maybe you’re a writer who needs a silent, distraction-free office space to fully activate the creativity locked away in your brain. Others need the constant buzz of a café (and an iced latte within fingers’ reach) to spark a new character profile or fresh dialogue. Personally, I write my best stuff lounging in bed, clad in sweatpants, with my favorite Spotify playlist crooning through my laptop speakers.
Whatever your preference, variety is the spice of life. When we spend our days cramped at the same desk, glued to the same computer screen, and facing deadlines, it’s easy to lose motivation and inspiration. Writing in the same habitual spot, maybe even at the same habitual time, may mean that cabin fever sets in more often than not. When you feel like writing is becoming a chore—shake it up your locale.
An unfamiliar backdrop and new stimuli may be the key to freshening up your writing. New people, interesting moments to muse on, and an environment that’s out of your norm. Get out of your comfort zone and get in tune with the vibes of the space, people (or lack thereof), weather, buildings, whatever—and let it refresh your fire.
While many writers prefer cafés, let’s not be too cliché. Go discover your new favorite place to write that’s all your own. The beauty of writing: you can literally write anywhere that suites your fancy. Here’s our favorite, non-café writing spots:
1. Park
Find a busy city park, full of chatting couples and rambunctious kids, or quiet spot off the beaten path surrounded by wild flowers. Take time to smell the roses, find a park bench and take a seat.
2. Shopping Mall
Do you know who goes to shopping malls? Everyone. A mall is golden people-watching territory. Observe what drives people into certain stores, what fills their shopping bags, and how people interact with each other.
3. Library
A quiet study room, white walls, no distractions, and quick access to research—what’s not to love?
4. Bookstore
Soak up all the literary genius surrounding you through osmosis. Imagine what your book would look like resting on a shelf. There are literally a billion chances for inspiration here.
5 . Your backyard
A nice wicker chair, a soft breeze, and maybe a little sun to warm up your skin. Ideal if you’re in the countryside. Breath in the fresh air and let the stillness envelope you.
6. The beach
A little cliché, but what writer doesn’t dream of resting on warm sand and writing their masterpiece? Let the repetitive rushing water of an ocean (or lake or even river—whatever’s most convenient) lull you into a writing trance.
7. An art gallery
Study paintings, modern to renaissance and anything in between, and let your imagination pick up on characters, settings, and stories hidden away in paint and canvas.
8. A bar
Not a busy dance club on a crazy night out—we’re talking a chill, hangout spot where the locals like to tell a few good alcohol-embellished stories. Where do you think Lord of the Rings started, eh?
9. In the shower
Not kidding. Some of the deepest thoughts happen while shampooing. AND we have the waterproof technology to do it now. Seriously. Google it.
10. Public transport
Be it bus, train, or taxi, let the blurring landscape, city sky scrapers and suburban homes catapult you into a new setting for your novel. Pick up on the buzz of conversation around you. Besides, you have nothing to do but wait for your stop. Make it productive.
11. The roof
If you have safe and easy access to one, climb up for a mile-high view. A tall building overlooking the city or even a garage roof plunked in the middle of a cornfield is a cool place to clear your head and put life into perspective.
12. Grandma’s house
Grandparents, or just your favorite elderly people, have the best stories and experiences to share—and likely an array of sugary confections to compel your creativity. Plus, grandparents carry with them all the comforts of home, without the routine of your own.
13. Your bed
I don’t know about you, but my bed is the most relaxing, comforting place I know. Let you dreams fall onto the pages.
Writers, where are you favorite writing locations?
I have two places: The bedroom I share with my hubby and a certain library. I love both of these places for very different reasons.
My bedroom, because there are days when I just don’t want to leave, or the house is especially quiet. But there is also the downside: When my children think it’s OK to just barge in and share their day…ACK. That is the Mothering Catch 22. Do I send them away and believe I have ruined their little psyches, they are 23 and twin 19 year olds; such a delicate time of life, or do I let them in and break the flow?
When I just can’t stand the house anymore I go to that certain library. It is a lovely space, filled with life, inspiration and great books!
I agree with both of the perks of those locations! The places I seek out to write are totally reflective of my mood. I find it easier to get lost in my imagination at home, but I’m much more focused at my library–so it depends on the type of writing I’m setting out to do. Thanks for sharing!
Until recently I lived in Thailand with my wife. We have a small very rural farm and I did most of my writing sitting at a tiny desk looking out at flowers and mango trees. I missed that tiny room away from American TV, but now I have a home-office that looks out over a canal full of birds. I’m having to train myself to ignore outside influences until I’m into my manuscripts. Once in I think I could be in Times Square and not notice.
And…writers’ retreats! I just happen to have planned one! Here’s the link – and since I’m a Wise Ink author, I hope you don’t consider this as spam.
http://redshoeswriting.com/events/
Never spam from you, Kim! Thanks for sharing the invite here. Writers’ retreats are an awesome way to add some shine to your writing process. Why didn’t I think to add it to the list?
I agree so much about freshening up writing with a new location. Settings really do shape a story! I’m constantly inspired by people around me while I’m writing a scene.
I find that to be SO true! It would be a shame to not take advantage of the inspirational vibes around you, and in a public place, when you are hyperaware of those around you, the possibilities are wide-open. Thanks for sharing, Pema!
Most days I don’t feel like going out, I write in my room where I have a great view of a large green yard. The many trees, bushes, gardens, and sky give me food for thought. Other times, I take my laptop out there or to a nearby park with a huge pond in the center of a walking path. I choose one of the remote benches as opposed to one near the others and write away. When I lived on a lake before this, it was the best place to write. Water does seem to be an attraction. I get most of my ideas in the shower, which is strange. Thanks for a great blog!
Thumbsup
90% of the time I write in my (sofa)bed and during long bus rides (and I’m talking like 3+ hours), especially when travelling in the middle of nowhere (like a cross-city highway, or winding steep roads up mountains). I only listen to music on my earphones to keep people from talking to me. :p
The most important rule being: phone has to be out of sight and out of ear reach.
Hi Gen,
I’d love to figure out a way to write at home without letting all the distractions creep into my time. My boundaries need work. I’ll thing of how I could do a load of laundry or pop some homemade muffins in the oven or sweep the den floor…and there I am doing things other than writing. I’d love to be able to afford one of those “office lofts” nearby to write in but they are expensive! The one close to my home is $85 a month. Let’s keep writing no matter what.
Carol
I tell myself “I am a writer” “My Profession is a writer” “I will win awards for my books”. I am not boasting, I am nearly speaking it into existence. every weekday, Monday through Friday I would wake up at nine-o-clock, get dressed, go to my couch, and work till five. I would treat my writing like a career. when I get stuck I would look out my window at the blue sky or rain and the green trees and grass. My book Jakiah’s Prayers is in the process of being published.
This is the perfect blog for everyone who wants to understand this
topic. You realize a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I
really would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject
that’s been written about for ages. Great stuff, just wonderful!
Grandmas house is one of my favorite spots!