Comments on: Small, Small World

By: Jordan

Jordan — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 23:21:03 +0000

Catherine, None of the places near me allow tabs, so that’s out. I still haven’t found the perfect spot. It’s difficult during the holiday rush. I am going to try the coffee shop down the street. Hopefully that will do the trick.

By: Catherine Morris

Catherine Morris — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 17:30:57 +0000

I’ve been thinking about this post of yours for days, because it’s such an interesting subject to me, since I work from home (at my writing day job–and yes, I agree, if you can have a day job that’s unrelated to your writing passion, do it! Writing is writing, and writing sucks your energy dry!).

Anyway, re: doing my own writing, one or two times our Internet has gone out for a week or two at a time, and one of two things happens: either I continue writing at home without email or Wikipedia access, which is an uncomfortable working condition for me :), or I’ll go write at a coffee shop, which is really fun and I always wonder why I don’t do it more often. Everyone else has their computers open too, so I never feel conspicuous writing in public like that. I also like the bland muzak they play :), because it sort of fades into the background but sparks up my brain. (I can’t listen to good music while I write; it’s too distracting.)

Anyway, I like comfy chairs and crowded places–but not too crowded, because again, that’d just be distracting. I also like places that let you open a tab, so you don’t have to deal with 3 or 4 different credit card transactions over the course of the day!

So, have you found a good spot yet?

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 01:57:41 +0000

Ursula, To answer your very first question, I’d have to say the mountains. The kind that hold snow.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 01:55:26 +0000

Ursula, Great ideas. I’m going to have to give the first half of your suggestions some thought (since I’ve never thought about it before). My town does have one of those ‘what’s happening’ mags. I’ve picked it up a few times, but nothing immediate stood out. I’ll have to take a closer look. Thanks for the tips. And I don’t think it sounds crazy.

By: Ursula

Ursula — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 00:54:24 +0000

If you’re looking to get out: what kind of scenery stimulates you? Sometimes what you might thing of as a writing spot might not have the right ’scene’: view, vibe, sound. And something unexpected fits that bill because it has the right elements. Kind of like magic: don’t give the universe the item you want, give it the feeling, or general vibe. So what sights, sounds, scents engage your creativity, but don’t lock up your attention? Crazy as it sounds, I had a friend who loved to write at the Dennys in the seedy part of town, on weekend graveyard shift. They always had the bar crowd, fights, police, all kinds of color, and some how that was his ticket. It might be too that you need stimulus, not just a different stimulating place to write, maybe more strange and unusual day trips to do and see things that are out of the norm, attend a few off the hook lectures or discussions. Does your town have one of those local ‘this is what’s going on’ papers, you might not only get ideas of things to check out, but run into some unusual places that might click.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 23:02:01 +0000

Cece, I’ve had mixed results at the coffee houses and bagel shops. Sometimes I get stuff done and others, I just waste the afternoon. (the coffee shop is in the bookstore) Dangerous. Very dangerous.

By: Cece

Cece — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 22:29:22 +0000

If I work at my desk at home, I get sleepy so I don’t. I use the chaise too LOL and I’ve gotten used to working around the kids and TV (some). I want a bigger battery for my laptop but I’m not sure I’d get any work done going out to write in a coffee shop.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 19:05:55 +0000

Thanks Maddie. Dh is trying to get me to start making pamper appointments. I’m probably the only woman on the planet that resists making appointments to get my hair and nails done. LOL!

By: Jordan

Jordan — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 19:03:40 +0000

Becca, I put on soundtracks if I’m going to write to music. Lyrics distract me. I can write with people around me, but it’s a challenge. Sometimes I can’t hear the voices in my head over their clatter. *g*

By: Jordan

Jordan — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 19:02:09 +0000

Diane, I set my desk up so that I couldn’t stare out the window. I’m afraid I wouldn’t get anything done. Instead, I face the wall next to the door and have the window at my back.