On the Hunt for a Good Place to Write
Working on my next book has become a project in futility lately as I find that I’ve become increasingly distracted by all the to-dos and not to-dos. Spring is always a crazy busy time of year for me, so that’s a huge reason as to why I’m feeling this way. I’m now adding as another big reason the lack of a right place to write.
I follow a lot of writerly folks on Instagram and Facebook and I find that I’m not alone in that regard. Sometimes, you just can’t write because you’re in the wrong space. Where you write is just as important as when, what and how you write. Finding the right vibe, and being picky about the search, will make it easier to tap into the creativity needed to do this thing we call writing.
So, where do you write? Home? Work? Maybe your car? Wherever it is, how is that place working for you?
Most of the time, I write at home because it’s convenient. You can’t beat walking a few steps to an office aka my son’s old bedroom. It is a cute space despite the lime green paint he insisted upon using one year, but it has its limitations. I’m surrounded by distractions. Some examples are: my husband making his work calls; my mom puttering around downstairs or watching her TV with the volume at Level 5,000; the random phone calls, usually from spammers; and the frequent traffic noises. I’m starting to wonder whether the convenience of my writing space is worth it.
I’ve tried closing my door, using white noise machines, listening to music and even doing my work at times when it’s a bit quieter in the house, but nothing has worked. And, I’m getting frustrated. The dream of escaping to a beach house to write looms large and I’m on the verge of just packing my bags and saying, “Adios!”
But my bank account laughs, and a dose of reality sets in. So, I’m left with finding someplace local … and free … to write.
Option 1 – My therapy office. One of the spaces I’m subleasing is less than a mile from my house, so it’s very convenient to go there. In theory, this would’ve been an awesome option if it were not for the distractions. Because I associate this space as the place I work, I start thinking about all the tasks I must do for my business and my inspiration goes on vacation. Plus, I miss having a window. Natural light does wonders for your mood and writerly musings.
Option 2 – My local library. This has worked out great when I’ve gone, but the caveat is you must get there early enough to stake your claim at a table, preferably one with an outlet to plug in the laptop. Our library is a busy hub in the center of town, so space is at a premium. Another downside is I can’t eat or drink anything there.
Option 3 – A local park. I am blessed to live in an area where I have access to several lovely parks. I have done this a few times and it’s been a hit-or-miss experience. You must factor in the weather, the unavailability of a power source and limited ability to eat or drink there unless you bring something. If I have to plan that much ahead of time, I might as well stay at home. I suppose I could just pack a picnic and write in a journal, but if I ever hope to use anything in that journal, I will have to make my writing legible. Years of being a journalist and then a mental health provider have ruined the once-nice handwriting I had.
So now I’m researching Option 4 – A local café/coffee shop. I’m kinda picky when it comes to these venues. If I’m going to be spending a lot of time there, it has to meet the following criteria:
Must have the right vibe, meaning it can’t feel too industrial or fast foodish.
Must be spacious and have plenty of seating.
Must have a wide variety of food and drink choices, preferably items that cater to my dietary needs.
Must be no more than 45 minutes from my house because if I must travel a long way, I’m wasting my time, gas and precious little energy I have to create.
Must be open on weekends, especially Sundays.
And, most importantly, must welcome patrons who plan on spending hours there.
With this list in mind, I’ve started my search. I will devote the next few posts to what I’ve discovered so far. Call it my list of “Top Coffee Shops in Southcentral PA to Write” or something like that.
If you have any suggestions for me about this, feel free to email lori@loriapeterswriter.com.
Write & Rise!
