Most of the time, I can be found in my messy little writing cave. I happily spend hours there, blessed with electricity, privacy, a comfy reading chair, lots of books, and good wifi. Coffee and the WC are right next door. Since my work is writing fiction and other writing-adjacent chores, I’m all set! My daughter’s grown, I have no pets—just me and the sweet, sweet silence. Hubs pops into the door frame when he craves a bit of attention, but he knows to leave me alone when the door is closed. I am truly blessed.
My writing cave
I’ve tried writing in public spaces, but that just doesn’t work for me. The chatter from fellow café customers or library patrons, the growl of the espresso machine, the music I haven’t chosen, they all grate on my focus like a microplane on a block of cheese. And since I don’t usually write to music, cancelling out their noise with my own doesn’t help much. Still, many writer friends, especially younger ones, tell me they need that background hum to focus.
Is this an introvert/extrovert thing? Perhaps. I’m not a hard-core introvert; I do like a little bit of company each day. But my writing time needs to be quiet and private.
Of course, the nicest home office doesn’t help much if you have littles at home clamoring for your attention. No wonder lots of writers who are parents leave the house to write. And some writers complain there’s too much procrastination temptation at home: laundry to be done, dishes to be washed, food to be eaten. Me, I don’t give two cold dog turds about homemaking unless company’s coming. Instead, I put off cleaning and weeding and such until I finish one…more…chapter…
What sort of lilies are these, I wonder?
But in summer, I’m blessed with a beautiful outdoor space. Until the sun gets too hot, I camp in the back yard and work on my WIP. The little bit of noise—traffic, birds, passers-by on the street—doesn’t bother me back here in my jungle. Looking up from the screen is important to eye health, so while contemplating word choice, I gaze at the bees dancing in my overgrown oregano. When the timer goes off and it’s time for a stretch, I can pick a few weeds.
How about you? What’s your writing space look like? Do you prefer noise or silence? Privacy or company? I hope you’ll leave a comment and share your ideal writing environment.
Until next time, happy writing!
Sadira
I love your garden. I usually write in my office in the winter, and in the family room where the AC is in the summer. I do write at the library once a week with a friend. Actually any noise doesn’t bother me. I’m a white noise person, so I tune things out.
I write in my home office. It’s neat and quiet. I have visual boards on the walk and a magnetic calendar. If I need music, I switch on the Bose or plug into Youtube.
Hi, Sadira. Nice blog and a very nice garden! I’m afraid I’m rather staid and conventional. I write at my desk (an 8-foot’ long kitchen countertop that sits on three 2-drawer filing cabinets — plenty of space for computer, printer, lamps, reference books, notes…) in my office. I tried working outside with a laptop, but I am easily distracted by birds and butterflies and clouds and sunlight…. I never get any writing done when I’m outside, so I sit at my desk. But if I had a garden like yours I sure would sit there for my tea breaks!
In the late spring, summer, and early fall, I have a special place in my sun room where I love to write. Otherwise I have a nice cozy writing cave I use during the months I can’t use the sunroom..
Since I write on a laptop (like you), I tend to move from place to place. I start at the table during breakfast and move onto the sofa, which is much more comfortable. In the nice weather, I sit on my deck. And I also write at my desk. So when my husband is looking for me, he has to search a little. 🙂
Sounds like you have your family well trained. Good job. I write in a ‘cave’ as well, but I do like to listen to old time country and western music (think Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, etc) in the background…helps me focus. Go figure. Congratulations on your new release. Very exciting.
Lovely garden! I do most of my writing in my study – a new space in our new home with two walls of windows so I can pretend I’m outdoors. I also write with a timer, using break time to switch out laundry or empty a bit of the dishwasher. When I’m stuck on my plotting or writing I move outdoors (in summer) or to the great room (in winter) and I switch from laptop to actual pen and actual paper, hehe. Writing longhand unlocks a part of my brain, somehow, and I’m soon back in the flow.
Hi, Luanna. I also use my phone’s timer to get me off my duff every 30-60 minutes. Otherwise, I’d write until my brain fries and my body grows roots–which doesn’t lead to prose worth keeping, I’ve found. Happy writing!
I love your outdoor space and garden!!
My desk is in my children’s playroom. Yup. Right next to the open kitchen. And I have a window to look outside. Oh yes, the noise. I do use music in earbuds when I know they are playing safely/busy in the house (they are 9 and 11). But quite often, the window? Yeah, that’s to watch them outside. My ears and eyes must be on them. Makes it had to get in the “zone.” Of course when they are in school in puts my back to the dishes calling my name. I do escape with the laptop to the living room, oh but wait…more toys and paper crafts there. Then the coffee shop every now and then. Anyway, yeah, I get distracted by house and kids a lot. So I do wake early before the kids. I love mornings. Alas, so do they…
I can see my garden from my window, too. Just a wee.
In a few years, your kids will become teens and lose their taste for mornings.
You have a lovely garden, Sadira. I have an office cave, which we call the “mole hole,” filled with bookshelves, my desktop computer, printer, etc. I use either my cozy desk lamp, or if it’s really dark turn on the big lights in the ceiling, which we call “pig lights.” 🙂 I do have a nice big window and a lovely view. I occasionally listen to music, I’m eclectic – I like classical to country.
This was a great post – it’s fun learning writing habits of other writers..
Cat
Great post, Sadira! And love your garden. I am a “desktop” person. I can write on a laptop, but I hate it. So, my writing is almost all done in my office. It’s spacious and full of light and color, and best of all, looks out over my backyard, so I can see my garden…or at least part of it. We built an outdoor patio six years ago that impedes my view a bit. Still, I have an aspen tree directly outside my desj window and get to see the birds coming through in the fall and spring and I can see the neighborhood “canopy” of mature trees all around me. Nothing like nature to restore the soul and get the creative juices going. Best wishes on your upcoming book.
What a fun post! I love reading about other writers’ work spaces. I write in coffee shops and libraries. I love the buzz of people around me. The espresso machine doesn’t bug me, nor the chatter of other patrons. And when I need to describe the color of a character’s hair or the shape of their jaw, I just take a look around.
Great post! I usually write at our dining table with instrumental music going on in the back ground. Hubby and I run a business out of our home, but most of the time I can get some writing done. Daughter grown and out of the house.