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Some ideas of where to get your writing done


Most writers advice is to write daily. My own writing muscle is stronger when I do. 

But part of that routine is instilled and supported when we are able to choose the same place to write each day. 

Where do you like to do your writing? 

For years, even while running my own business, I've worked from home. 

But I was never that productive. The last couple of years, as my husband and I worked to become skilled minimalists, finding new decluttering and organizing projects each month-- it's getting difficult for me to work from home now. When home, there is always another room (or drawer) to declutter, a bag to fill to donate, a pantry to organize, floors to wash, tubs to scrub...you get the drift. 

I also volunteer for our church so there are varying administrative duties, choosing songs, posting on social media, proofing the church bulletin, etc. All at home.

When I am out, I notice, especially at a coffee shop, in order to keep my focus, I slip in my earbuds, (or ear plugs), and open my laptop and write. 

Whether it's blogging, the latest short story, or an email I am writing, I am focused only on writing. I'll pause to get up to refill my coffee or take a trip to the bathroom, because I don't like to sit for long stretches. They say it's unhealthy.

Sometimes I work on my laptop in the backseat of our car!

Occasionally I go to the library and camp out there. 

But I prefer the ambience of a coffee shop. 

Here's a list of other places you can do your writing: 

  • Coffee or sandwich shop
  • Friend's house
  • Library
  • Outside
  • Writer's group
  • Cabin in the woods / cottage on the beach 
  • On sabbatical, on group or personal writing retreat 
  • Online - there are some online writer's groups. Simily is a great one. I've been a member for 6 months now. Great place to share your creative fiction and get feedback. Of course, there are other sites, depending on your goals. 
  • Start a blog. Free for most wordpress and blogger (Google) sites. For Blogger, just open up your Gmail account, and click open the apps on the right-hand side of your inbox. For free wordpress, go to wordpress.com

When you work at the same place the benefit is that your brain is conditioned to think about writing; even your body expects to be writing. You train your brain and body.

Some writers claim that in that case, that area should be exclusive to writing. 

(Home office, living room couch, kitchen table, bed (I would caution against a bed, since that's where your brain is trained to sleep and not work.)

Where do you like best to write? Have you found you're more productive in a specific location?


Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash

Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash

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