Now we know what to do if the muse is fickle

[Aditus]

We all know this situation: You stare at your computer screen, out of the window or at a blank sheet of paper and nothing happens. Here comes the solution: You visit your favorite coffee shop OR you use this new website.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/how-the-hum-of-a-coffee-shop-can-boost-creativity/

 

[Zombie]

Interesting. But this idea isn't new - writers have always worked in busy public areas, I think, most famously JK Rowling, so it obviously works. Here's a 1998 TV interview with Rowling, writing in her favourite local cafe, when 30,000 sales of her book were "phenomenal"

http://entertainment.stv.tv/film/209509-j-k-rowling-in-1998-30000-harry-potter-book-sales-phenomenal/
 

[Aditus]

You're right going to the coffee shop isn't new but using coffeetiviti is, especially when it's adapted to your local preferences.

[Zombie]

Best way is to test it - buy it and try it

 

Course, what it won't give you is the smell of coffee being made (always better than the taste I think) - unless the app does that too Also people milling around and chatting - you won't get the random eavesdroppings

“What should I get for my boyfriend's birthday?  I mean, he’s going to prison next week ..."
"I told her to put it in her handbag but she said there wasn't room - not with the cucumbers ..."

And this Harvardian got a whole mini-story from flapping her ears at a Boston cafe
http://koreanbodega.com/2012/06/19/overheard-in-cafe-2-girls-talking-re-harvard-sexism/

 

Edited June 26, 2013 by Zombie

[Bill W]

Rather than spend my money on coffeetiviti, I'll continue to use my music or the tv on low for background noise.  However, this does prove why I have always relied on such background noises, even when writing papers in college. 

[Aditus]

Actually coffetiviti is free and you can eavesdrop...  Australians even complained about American accents and wanted a coffee shop tailored for Australians, which I personally found hilarious, while a rabbi wanted the distinct hum of Hebrew. I quote the article here, did the link not work?

 

I agree with Bill though, listening to music is my usual way to find my creativity, but the comparability between which music we listen too and what noises they choose for coffetivity is very interesting IMO. Might be my inner geek, lol.

Edited June 26, 2013 by aditus

[Zombie]

Interestingly this whole background noise thing only works if both sides of a conversation can be heard. Which means overheard cellphone conversations have a negative effect on productivity and there's been some recent research on this:

"A new study finds that when people are trying to mind their own business and complete a cognitive task, overhearing a cell phone conversation (by accident, of course) can steal away your attention much more than being witness to an old-fashioned, two-sided conversation."

"To test the effects of cell phone vs. actual conversations on our distractibility, researchers at the University of San Diego had people work on a task in which they had to try to solve 30 simple or challenging anagrams. While they were completing their tasks, actors had a staged conversation, either on a cell phone (one-sided) or in person (two-sided). The conversations involved planning a party, shopping, or meeting a date. The unsuspecting participants were told that the study was about their problem-solving capacities; they didn’t know that their ability or inability to ignore the conversations was the point."

"... people were much better at recalling the content of the cell phone conversations than the live conversations – meaning that they must have, for whatever reason, listened a bit more closely to the cell phone exchanges than the live ones."

"There are a few explanations for this phenomenon. One is that since we don’t know what’s happening on the other side of the conversation, it takes some additional brain-power to figure it out. And because we just have to know what’s going on, we just have to devote a little extra attention to the conversation, which requires some extra guesswork and concentration. Rosa Vessal, an undergraduate student who helped carry out the research, says that “unintentional eavesdropping on cell phone calls may be because the content of the conversation is unpredictable. Not knowing where the conversation is heading is what makes cell phone calls more distracting.”

"Galván says that people who are trying to work in environments in which they are privy to other people’s loud cell phone conversations could find themselves distracted to the point of reduced productivity."

"Galván believes that “a person’s performance might be greater in an environment with fewer one-sided conversations."

http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2013/03/13/science-proves-that-cell-phones-are-annoying-and-distracting/

[Aditus]

"Galván believes that “a person’s performance might be greater in an environment with fewer one-sided conversations."

 

 

Definitely! lol There are only a few things that are more distracting than a one-sided conversation. *clicks to read Forbes article*

[Sasha Distan]

writing in parks is free.

[Aditus]

And cold, at least atm.

[Andy78]

I find threats of physical violence work.  My muse is still recovering from the last buttkicking I gave it after it buggered off on holiday for two weeks

[JamesSavik]

My Muse shows up drunk at 3am and goes to sleep before anything useful is accomlished.

[Aditus]

Well mine cooked Japanese tonight...very inspiring.

[Sasha Distan]

i feel that my muse might be really well trained.... Down boy!

[Former Member]

Mine makes me cry and beg and offer chocolate and ice cream.  She has a weakness for sweets. ...especially grapes.

[Aditus]

Mine makes me cry and beg and offer chocolate and ice cream.  She has a weakness for sweets. ...especially grapes.

Lol, greedy little thing, huh? You should tell her you'll load down coffeetiviti if she doesn't behave...but where would be the fun, right?

[Kitt]

LOL some of these comments make me happy to stay an editor!  The closest thing I have to a muse is a little voice that occasionally goes bananas in my head when it sees a prompt that catches its attention!

[Former Member]

LOL some of these comments make me happy to stay an editor!  The closest thing I have to a muse is a little voice that occasionally goes bananas in my head when it sees a prompt that catches its attention!

 

Lucky you!  My muse, as noted, is a total diva.

[Thorn Wilde]

I like going to the café at the university library in my city. Good, cheap coffee (they always just assume I'm a student, so I get the discount), lovely atmosphere, always people around but not too noisy.

[crazyfish]

I'm of the opinion that if your muse is doing your dishes, and perhaps you need to read more, read something engaging and inspiring. It always works for me.

[Gweall]

I personally like either music in the background (I shouldn't say background because I listen to it pretty loudly) reading others material, watching movies/TV. Stimulation just helps me think up something faster than if I were sitting in a quiet room alone. 

 

To each his own I guess.

[Tomas]

When ever I even think about attempting to write anything at all, whether it is to write more on an existing story idea or to try and start a new one, my Muse gives me a sneer, gives me the finger, then runs away giggling. Not only that, she takes the characters with her.

[Sasha Distan]

my muse is being way too happy right now. i want to write, i really do, but i can't type that fast! stop being mean to me...

[Former Member]

Better than where I'm at.  My muse is BEGGING and my body has only just now recovered enough to do her bidding >_<

[Sasha Distan]

anyone else got a male muse? Most people are saying "she" when they speak of their muse's...