Comments on: What is your most productive writing environment?

By: Seth M. Baker

Seth M. Baker — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:32:08 +0000

Lately I’ve taken to carrying my journals and yellow/legal pads to busy cafes, the louder the better. I’m in Korea, so I don’t understand most of what I hear. This is nice for two reasons:
1) There’s a definite rhythm and vibe of a place, and if it’s a high-energy atmosphere, I think that’s reflected back in my writing.
2) If I want to write some strange dialogue, I just listen and write not what I hear, but what I think I hear, and fill in the gaps.

Usually, though, my most productive writing environment is at my desk facing the window. Not because the view is spectacular, but because my mind knows it’s where I sit when it’s time to work.

By: david miller

david miller — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:42:13 +0000

yeah man, movement of any kind seems to help. sometimes i’ve gotten good pages even while i’m driving (although not recommended)—out in the middle of long roadtrips where there’s no traffic and you can just scrawl without looking at the page. i feel you on the ‘anywhere’.

By: Jared Krauss

Jared Krauss — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:32:26 +0000

I’m not so sure that it is where as much as when, and by when I do not mean the time. I mean, when I get that idea. I get my ideas all the time, when I’m on the Cambus (college campus bus service) or when I’m walking from class to class, any time really. I reserve the coffee shop that I go to every night for doing school work, but I can write anywhere. When is more of a how long has it been since I got my idea, do I still remember it, is the shine still there for it? A lot of times I’ll get this great idea, or so I think, and get back to my computer or to a pencil and paper and begin to write only to realize that it isn’t as great as I thought. Whether this is because my idea was too broad or too narrow or I simply can’t express myself in a way I find deserving of my idea.

So, I can write anywhere; I’m quite good at tuning things out-thank you ADD-that are going on around me.

By: Robyn

Robyn — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:36:52 +0000

I’m going to notice the blue cabins next time I’m there and give a little nod. I take the bus up there now and then for the co-op and to ski on the Jenny Creek trail up to the pass.
I miss all the great music at the acoustic. I had some great ah-ha moments up there.

By: Bob Berwyn

Bob Berwyn — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:33:05 +0000

Yes, exercise! Starting back in college, I used to write most of my term papers in my head while out on a run. Nowadays, I get some of my best ideas while skiing or skinning uphill.

By: Eva

Eva — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:05:40 +0000

I’ve been wondering what that meant!

By: admin

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:01:37 +0000

sorry Mara, I accidentally deleted one of your comments. Can you put it back up?

By: david miller

david miller — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:58:24 +0000

whoa, the acoustic!

definitely miss that place, the porch was always a good spot. . . nederland was a good life. . .first place it ever felt like we were really ’settled’ although i did most of my writing sitting in the doorway of my home which was the easternmost of those 6 blue cabins just before the peak to peak turns and climbs out of town. or, the bottom floor of my buddy gary’s house along ridge road. that was real fertile ‘writing country’ . . .i could sit out on the patio and type and smoke my pipe and ‘look out over the forest’ and it was all right there. damn.

yeah, babies. got up at 6 am today just to get work done.

but then babies teach you everything. still wet from the river. and here we have to go paddling and snowboarding and write about it.

By: Robyn

Robyn — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:18:17 +0000

I’m so impressed by you parents who can find time to write while attending the babies. That is beautiful creativity. I live alone which i adore, but still get caught up in “boo-hoo I never have time to___”. After reading your comments I’ll never whine again
I am most inspired to write after a long run and sitting in a lived-in coffee shop, esp in the mtns (I miss the Acoustic Coffeehouse in Nederland – you know it David, yes?).

By: Mara

Mara — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:17:00 +0000

I agree Paul – exercise clears my mind and gets the ideas flowing. I like to walk or hike and formulate ideas in my head. Maybe that’s why Paris is my favorite city – it’s such a great place to walk.

And although I write a lot about my kids, having them around is definitely not conducive to getting any kind of sustained writing done.

By: david miller

david miller — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:02:58 +0000

siestas….yes and no. i think this piece was more about recognizing the ideal conditions / environment / rhythm (certainly that comment was) than elaborating on my actual practice. because of various factors i haven’t been able to get to back to my super predawn adventure-dahveed mode (with culminating afternoon nappy) except for glimpses over the past two years. i do get occasional naps (say once every three weeks)–but they’re more straight up survival, dad’s-so-tired-the-room-is-spinning styley.

anyway this is all a big part of our stoke to get down to Patagonia–it’s all epic terrain for exploring right out the door. once we’re down there i really want to nail down the new routine (predawn ascents, then slackcountry snowboarding back home), then morning work session, then fam time, then, hell yes . . .siesta.

By: david miller

david miller — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:49:55 +0000

this sounds unbelievably familiar.

By: david miller

david miller — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:48:23 +0000

truedat.

By: Lola

Lola — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:40:57 +0000

For me, it’s getting into a certain frame of mind. A creative gear shift, regardless of environment.

When I’m in that mode (or flow), I usually display a “shifting gears” status.

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:49:22 +0000

DM-

Absolutely- siestas are crucial…preferably with the entire family.
My most “productive” writing environment would be at home (quick access to books, to the espresso maker, to good pens and plenty of paper and everything familiar) and quiet.
But given the realities of life and the fact that I’m sharing it with a partner who also works from home and a child and a dog, productive has to be redefined– it’s snatches of writing between nursing, walking the dog, listening to Francisco’s next great idea or his chattering about nothing in particular as he cooks dinner. Lately, it’s been typing one-handed as Mariel sleeps on my chest. It’s thinking, like Sarah said, between the spaces–while walking the dog, while taking a shower–and making cryptic notes to decipher later– usually in the middle of the night when everyone else is sleeping.

By: Fresh Airfare

Fresh Airfare — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:31:36 +0000

It’s about the environment around me. If the people around me are being creative and productive than that inspires me. If they’re just lounging around playing video games or watching TV, then that ruins my flow.

By: Eva

Eva — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:59:41 +0000

For me it’s more getting into the right state of mind that matters rather than the place. Sometimes that’s late at night in a quiet house, sometimes in a coffee shop with just the right amount of background noise. I remember in high school I used to do my best writing right after a 6am hockey practice – I was simultaneously exhausted and wide awake, and it was such a still time, but not dark out. I dunno. When I figure out the formula to getting into that state of mind consistently, I’ll be unstoppable!

By: Paul Sullivan

Paul Sullivan — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:52:01 +0000

DM – you take siestas? I want your life!!

By: tom gates

tom gates — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:49:23 +0000

I have to get out of the house. Usually a coffee shop or a bar. I usually have the headphones in to block out the noise, which makes the whole affair antisocial. Why didn’t I just stay home?

By: david miller

david miller — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:31:27 +0000

that’s word on the rhythm. for me that whole concept could extend to everything. the rhythm of a good day. there has to be some outdoor time, some love time, some charging. a siesta. a good day starts before dawn and ends up in the hammock after lunch. get up in the later afternoon and it’s like you have 2 days in one.