With my first novel I went away from home with my chaotic household of 'guy stuff', sports and a business office. I booked a 5-6 days getaway in the off season in a rural area to immerse myself in the atmosphere of my book's setting. Different seasons, different locations. It worked at that time. Now things are expensive for accommodations. This time I have written while going to and from my son's location six hours away...on a train, surrounded by many many people. I never thought I could feel creative among a ton of people but it worked, because it was away from my home environment. Now, I am putting together a creative room in one of my son's old bedrooms. It is complete with décor that inspires me to enter into the story that I am being lead to write. I even have sit/stand desk topper to help my worn out back! I have yet to try writing in a coffee shop but it may happen. I sense that it would have to be the shop on the other end of town because I am too familiar with the one I usually drop into for coffee and I would be far too distracted by the familiar.
Judy, you write where you feel led to write. During the many years of my husband's illnesses, I often wrote in his hospital rooms. I even defended my doctoral proposal from a nursing station because I'd lost my WiFi link! I think the attitude is more important than the place and the ability to "look inward" as we are writing. Where are your books available? Id love to read "you"!
Hi, Judy. I have a couple of books on Amazon. Crazy: A Diary and Tapdancing in Church. Like you, I wrote Crazy during some long hospital sieges and wrote it more as a catharsis for me as I adjusted to being a spousal caregiver.
Yes, it is important to write wherever the Spirit leads you, even if it mean scribbling inspiration on a scrap of paper or notebook...or in your phone. When the Spirit gives nuggets, best to capture it in the moment. I used to visualize scenes as my husband drove our motorhome to boat races...and wrote them down in the moment so as to remember them and expand on them later. With regard to my novel, it is still available on Amazon. I will admit that it needed further editing (some typos and redundant scenes, etc) but considering the circumstance in the moment (Tom was very ill with terminal cancer) it was acceptable enough to print at the time so he could see the finished product before he passed away...and it has blessed a lot of people. Please overlook these aspects as you read. The book is Voices in the Wilderness by Judith Utman (Westbow Books).
I’m with Karen (and laughed at her espresso joke)! I love the IDEA of writing in coffee shops but have found it has to be a fairly quiet one, AND I put in my noise reducing AirPods with some quiet music to drown out distractions and conversations around me. Sadly, Starbucks are almost always too loud. I mostly write at home, but if I’m out and about with time to kill between appointments, I do like to take my laptop into a coffee shop and take on the writer persona. ☕️
Does it make you feel like a "real" writer, Linda, to write in public? I don't often write in coffee shops due to time constraints, but I plan on giving it a try! I used to write at a neighborhood McDonalds!
I have a small amount of envy for those who can focus in noisy environments. I cannot. I need silence to concentrate. Sometimes even the slightest sound distraction can derail me. White noise helps. To those who produce in coffee shops I would like to espresso my admiration.
Thanks for the espresso, Karen! I have the unique ability to get "into the zone" no matter where I am. Its a blessing and a curse because I sometimes miss what someone says to me.
With my first novel I went away from home with my chaotic household of 'guy stuff', sports and a business office. I booked a 5-6 days getaway in the off season in a rural area to immerse myself in the atmosphere of my book's setting. Different seasons, different locations. It worked at that time. Now things are expensive for accommodations. This time I have written while going to and from my son's location six hours away...on a train, surrounded by many many people. I never thought I could feel creative among a ton of people but it worked, because it was away from my home environment. Now, I am putting together a creative room in one of my son's old bedrooms. It is complete with décor that inspires me to enter into the story that I am being lead to write. I even have sit/stand desk topper to help my worn out back! I have yet to try writing in a coffee shop but it may happen. I sense that it would have to be the shop on the other end of town because I am too familiar with the one I usually drop into for coffee and I would be far too distracted by the familiar.
Judy, you write where you feel led to write. During the many years of my husband's illnesses, I often wrote in his hospital rooms. I even defended my doctoral proposal from a nursing station because I'd lost my WiFi link! I think the attitude is more important than the place and the ability to "look inward" as we are writing. Where are your books available? Id love to read "you"!
where can I find your content?
Hi, Judy. I have a couple of books on Amazon. Crazy: A Diary and Tapdancing in Church. Like you, I wrote Crazy during some long hospital sieges and wrote it more as a catharsis for me as I adjusted to being a spousal caregiver.
Sounds like we have some overlap in our life experiences. We could have some long conversations...
One day we will have to ZOOM or Facetime! I downloaded your book, Judy. I am looking forward to reading it soon.
I am honoured that you downloaded the book! Yes a Zoom meeting would be great.
Yes, it is important to write wherever the Spirit leads you, even if it mean scribbling inspiration on a scrap of paper or notebook...or in your phone. When the Spirit gives nuggets, best to capture it in the moment. I used to visualize scenes as my husband drove our motorhome to boat races...and wrote them down in the moment so as to remember them and expand on them later. With regard to my novel, it is still available on Amazon. I will admit that it needed further editing (some typos and redundant scenes, etc) but considering the circumstance in the moment (Tom was very ill with terminal cancer) it was acceptable enough to print at the time so he could see the finished product before he passed away...and it has blessed a lot of people. Please overlook these aspects as you read. The book is Voices in the Wilderness by Judith Utman (Westbow Books).
I’m with Karen (and laughed at her espresso joke)! I love the IDEA of writing in coffee shops but have found it has to be a fairly quiet one, AND I put in my noise reducing AirPods with some quiet music to drown out distractions and conversations around me. Sadly, Starbucks are almost always too loud. I mostly write at home, but if I’m out and about with time to kill between appointments, I do like to take my laptop into a coffee shop and take on the writer persona. ☕️
Does it make you feel like a "real" writer, Linda, to write in public? I don't often write in coffee shops due to time constraints, but I plan on giving it a try! I used to write at a neighborhood McDonalds!
So many people "go to work" on laptops these days, that I don't know if I "look" like a real writer. But at least I "feel" like one. Sort of. LOL.
Feeling is part of the battle so we don't come down with "imposter syndrome."
I have a small amount of envy for those who can focus in noisy environments. I cannot. I need silence to concentrate. Sometimes even the slightest sound distraction can derail me. White noise helps. To those who produce in coffee shops I would like to espresso my admiration.
Thanks for the espresso, Karen! I have the unique ability to get "into the zone" no matter where I am. Its a blessing and a curse because I sometimes miss what someone says to me.