Finding the "Write" Environment


Every writer has a process and that process includes a preferred environment in which to write. Some can sit at their laptop amid absolute chaos (a busy coffee shop, squabbling offspring, loud coworkers), block out everything, and the words flow from their fingertips like magic. For them, the noise is more ambient than distracting and actually increases their productivity.

Me, I like—no, need—peace and quiet. I’m the dog who spies a squirrel, the least little movement will take me out of my story and send me on a wild chase in the opposite direction. If I’m sitting in Starbucks and hear a couple talking at the table next to me, instead of writing, I’ll listen to them and invent a story of their lives. I’m here to tell you, it wreaks havoc on my word count.

For a lot of years, ever since my kids grew up and moved away, finding peace and quiet hasn’t been a problem. I have a great home office that I’ve arranged and decorated for maximum productivity. I was also alone five days a week and able to accomplish a lot. When my husband was around, I’d muddle through, deflecting his constant interruptions as best I could (he’s as bad as any three-year-old poking my shoulder and chanting, “Mom, Mom, Mom.”).


All that changed a couple months ago when he retired early—three years early! Suddenly, I found myself in serious trouble, unable to write like I was used to. With three deadlines looming. I became stressed, irritable, frustrated, and not very pleasant to be around.

Long story short (yes, pun intended), I came up with a plan that is helping. My local library is usually crowded and not particularly quiet. But I discovered they have private study rooms I can reserve for up to two hours. These are wonderful! I get so much done in those two hours because I know my time is limited and I need to make the most of it. I also purchased a pair of Blutooth earbuds. If I listen to music (jazz is my favorite for writing), I’m less distracted by what’s going on around me. These also work well if I sit in a secluded corner of the not-very-busy independent coffee shop I sometimes frequent out of desperation—i.e., husband is very talkative that day. Lastly, the assistant facility where my mom lives has several quiet and cozy reading nooks. I visit her twice a week, so sometimes I go early, find an available nook, and dash off a few pages.

No, none of these solutions compare to my much loved home-office. But they are helping and, as a result, I’m less stressed, irritable, and frustrated. With luck, I may even make my three deadlines!


Comments

  1. My husband stays away from my office--the clutter drives him crazy, I think--but even at that, I enjoy times in silent library study rooms. A friend and I have mini-retreats that way a lot, too.

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  2. I'm with you, Cathy. I always need a place with few distractions. But I like country music and the singing doesn't seem to bother me. But people distract me. I could never work at the book store café or Starbucks like some I know do.

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  3. Hi Cathy! I totally understand. It is impossible to write when my husband is home. He's either irritated that I'm not paying enough attention to him, or bugging me to hurry up so we can go do something. I often go to work early or stay late so that I can work in the relative peace and quiet of my classroom (when the kids are gone, of course). Still, it's not the same as working at home. Wish we lived closer, maybe we could set up a play date for our hubby's so they could leave us alone for a while, lol!!!

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    1. Yes, too bad we couldn't get them together. Wouldn't that be great!!

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  4. I start writing with kids underfoot, so I still need a little background noise. Whether it's music or the radio or people at the library moving around, it makes me feel like I'm part of the world while I'm doing this solo job. I love my office, but sometimes changing my location for a few hours will improve my output. Apparently, the brain loves change!

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  5. Good idea about the library! I work at another job also and have to divide my time. I think we sometimes believe that if we could only quit or retire and write full time then it would be heaven on earth. But I've occasionally wondered if that's the way it would work out. Aside from anything else (like the time crunch moving us) working adds life experiences. When it comes to atmosphere, I vary, sometimes okay in chaos, sometimes needing complete quiet.

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  6. I completely identify with the talkative retired husband. When we set up the office, we put two desks, thinking we could work in the same room. Ha. I just got of bed an hour early to give myself some writing time alone. Better get to it.

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  7. I need quiet in order to write, too. This summer, I freed up some time so that I don't have to get quite so much done when my son is home from school. But that quiet time when no one is interrupting me is an absolute necessity!

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    1. I hear you, Patty. Yet, I know others who thrive on noise :)

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  8. We're both retired and have separate offices. Fortunately my husband is doing research and writing too so we part after breakfast until lunch and then again til about three. Having the time apart and time alone schedule works pretty well....or would if I was only writing but I have some other irons in the fire too so there are never enough hours. I love the quiet, it helps me string the whole thing together. If I was in a cafe I'd be right with you writing life stories for each patron, might make an Interesting novel but not the one I'm working on now!

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    1. I haven't yet figured out how to work around my husband. Maybe that'll come in time :)

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  9. I can write with noise but I write more if I'm not near family (still have 14 year old at home). I love the library too, but ish, sometimes it's so cold LOL

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  10. I prefer when no one is at home. No one seems to be able to fend for themselves. Guess I trained them that way. My summer is a loss, once again.

    denise

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