Wednesday, September 4, 2013

A Change of Scenery Will Help Your Writing

This post is brought to you by the Insecure Writer's Support Group, an online group where writers can express doubts and concerns, and those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. The IWSG is celebrating it's two year anniversary today! Congratulations!

So ... change is as good as a holiday, right? That's what people say. Unfortunately, I'm not talking about taking a holiday here! I'm still talking about working. And what I want to suggest is that changing your writing space can help reinvigorate your passion and creativity for your writing.

This is where I normally write:

I love my study. It has so much SPACE, and it's filled with my favorite books, and there's a comfy armchair in the corner and warm sunlight streaming through the blinds.
BUT.
I've been writing in this study almost every day for many months now, and I'm starting to get tired of it. Everything is the SAME. Every day is the SAME. I'm starting to feel a little bit like the hermit my husband tells me I am!

On Monday I wasn't able to be at home and so, for the entire day, I had to work in an environment I wouldn't normally work in (my husband's parents' house!). I was worried I wouldn't be able to get much done, but I did more than double what I'd normally do in a day!

Yesterday I was home again, and the amount of work I was able to get done went doooown. So now I've learned. A change of scenery is what I need. And this is where I am today:

Tea on 23, a coffee shop built in an old Pietermaritzburg home.

Where do you normally write?
Where do you go when you need a change of scenery?

21 comments:

Juliana Haygert said...

I meet some writer-friends at a local cafe place once a month, and we spend about 6-8 hours writing - and I write a LOT. Much more than I usually do at home.
I just don't go more to Starbucks and places like that is because I would drink lattes and eat their cakes and scones the entire day and that wouldn't do any good to my "diet" lol

Elise Fallson said...

I totally agree with you about a change in scenery. The few times I was able to get out of the house to write I managed well over 1000 words and for me, that was GREAT! Wish I could do that more often though. (:

Johanna Garth said...

I completely agree. I change it up all the time. All over the house and in local coffee shops. As soon as the location starts to feel stale I'm on the hunt for a new spot. :)

Unknown said...

I mainly write in my bedroom, but, like you, I like to mix it up a bit.

Annalisa Crawford said...

That's really interesting. I'm about to do final edits, and I've already decided that I'll do those in a different place to where I've written up until now. I thought it would give me a bit of distance between what I think is on the page and what actually is.

Perhaps just painting a wall of your study or changing the pictures would help too?

Cherie Reich said...

I do most of my writing at the day job, but I can see how a change in scenery can make you feel more inspired. :)

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Great idea, Morgan. I write facing the lake. No, I've learned not to pay attention to what's going on outside. But a change would be nice. I'm writing that down. Thanks!

I'm guest hosting from IWSG. Hope you have a great day.

Anonymous said...

See, now I've never had a writing space. I write where ever and when ever I can and envied those who had a permanent spot with a desk and chair and your computer ready and waiting for you. I have a writing room wish list. It might be a grass isn't always greener kind of thing.

SK Anthony said...

A change in scenery sounds like what I need... if only my only writing time wasn't at night while my babies are down lol I do move around in the house though and it helps but being able to go out and focus on writing sounds wonderful. Great post ;)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

And you discovered it by accident! I might have to try that.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Change can do a body and mind good.

Andrew Leon said...

I disagree with the whole concept of change. :P
I have enough fluctuations in my life, because that's what kids do, that I don't need any change in my work space.

timsored said...

Invigoration is awesome. find it wherever, whenever, you can.
Hey, how about a t-shirt?!
And, of course, change is constant.

Melissa Amateis said...

I have an office that I absolutely love - but like you, I get tired of it once in awhile. So I'll write on my bed or in my living room - I can't write in public places. I get too distracted watching all the people! Came here via the awesome IWSG!

Diane Burton said...

I've been writing in a living room chair for quite a while. Maybe I need to go back to my desk. Thanks for the good idea.

Brandon Ax said...

I just rearranged my room and got a new writing space from it. Plus I bounce from that to my laptop and it really does help.

Kittie Howard said...

I'm either flopped on the bed or on the sofa with my feet propped up. When I feel stymied, I go outside for a walk and/or do a bit of housework. Some of my best ideas have popped into my head while loading the dishwasher--seriously! But not the washing machine!

Anonymous said...

I have a couple of usual places: in the armchair in front of the television, (but TV turned OFF while I write! ;) ) sitting across the room at the living room table, or on the bus to and from work. I also get some good stuff accomplished at Williams cafe, especially when I'm meeting writer friends there.

I should keep in mind that maybe when I'm feeling too blocked to work, maybe I just need to try something new! Thanks for sharing.

J.L. Campbell said...

Ya know, I haven't written anywhere else but at my desk. Hmmm...Food for thought here.

Nancy Gideon said...

Familiarity breeds distraction! If I find my muse drifting while at my desk, I'll move the creative process out onto my deck or to the dining room table. And if my work area is cluttered with reminders of other things I could be doing, my ADD/OCD kicks in big time.

Unknown said...

This is very good advice and a much needed reminder. Not to mention, any excuse to visit Panera or Starbucks makes me a happy camper :)

Glad you discovered a change of space helps. Thank you for sharing your story with us all.