In my last story-related post, I talked about how I write a story, from how an idea starts, to winging it on the first draft, to careful outlining and planning, later drafts, and finally editing and polishing. If you missed that post, you can find it here.
Today I want to talk about a different aspect of “how.” While different writers have different writing processes, they also have many different situations that they write best in. Do you like the dark room at a desk? A busy coffee shop? Music or no music? What about writing outside? What do you think about snacks or drinks while writing? Below you can read my answers to questions such as these.
What are your ideal writing surroundings? Two things that are important for my writing focus are quiet and upright. I don’t like to write sitting on the couch or laying on the bed or floor. I like to be sitting at my desk or kitchen table, as upright as I can be. I even have a nice little back support that helps me sit with good posture. I can focus much better if I’m not having to continually switch position because a body part is falling asleep.
I also prefer to write in quiet. When I lived at home with 6 younger siblings, I would sometimes write in the living room or kitchen area, but I most often set aside an hour or so to write at my desk in my bedroom in the basement with the door shut. Now, when my husband is at work it is just me at home so I sit at my kitchen table. It can be really quiet when I’m here by myself but that doesn’t bother me! I actually like to be stuck in my own head when I’m writing.
Because I tend to be a nurturing, listening, and service-centered person, having too many people around makes me want to do things with and for them instead of write. I also know enough about self defense and self awareness that if I’m in a public place, I can’t help but look up every time a new person walks in the building or enters my peripheral. If I need to write at a coffee shop or around other people, I can, but I have a much easier time when it’s quiet and I’m alone.
Do you use music or other background noise? I already said this, but I like to have quiet. I know many writers like to have music while they are writing because it inspires them. To be honest, I’ve never tried it, but I feel like it might be distracting for me. I like to listen to music while I’m doing other things like household chores though! I might have to try writing with music sometime to know for sure what I think about it.
Do you ever write outside? I used to! When I was younger and I wrote stories by hand, I would go hide in the woods or backyard and pen my Lord of the Rings and Narnia retellings. 🙂 Now, because I write on my computer, writing outside is not very practical, and I also don’t have a great place to do it because I live in an apartment. However, I almost always brainstorm outside. I used to walk around the woods and talk out a whole scene to myself before coming back inside and writing it down. Now, I don’t need quite that much outdoor brainstorming time, but I still find similar things super helpful! For me, long walks in the woods are best for story brainstorming, and taking a run is best for nonfiction writing such as blog posts. I’ve mostly outgrown the talking out loud to myself part, but occasionally I’ll still catch myself doing it. 🙂
Do you ever eat or drink while writing? If I’m really getting into a part of a story or a blog post and I don’t want to stop working on it, I will sometimes get a snack or have some lunch while still writing. However, it can be a little distracting, and I don’t prefer to get peanut butter, juices from fruit and vegetables, or chip crumbs on my computers or notes. So usually I don’t eat while writing. As for drinks though, it’s almost a ritual to have a cup of tea while I’m writing. Once in awhile it’ll be coffee instead, but usually black or chai tea does the trick. Now, since I write for longer periods of time, once I finish my tea I usually just get a glass of water to keep by me so I remember that humans needs water to live. 🙂
I think that’s about it! While it is important as a writer to train yourself to write even when you situations and surroundings are not perfect, it is also great to figure out what is best for you and do it when possible! This also doesn’t apply just to writing. It can apply to work, school, and other arts as well!
Are you a writer or blogger? I’d love to hear how you like to write in the comments below or in your own blog! f you’re a fellow blogger, you can even take my questions and answer them yourself in your blog! I would appreciate a link by to my site if you do. 🙂 Or come up with your own questions about writing to ask yourself or me! I love to hear from you! 🙂