Your Environment When You Write

[Brayon]

Lately, I've noticed, when I've decided to sit down and write, I like a calm environment. Used to be I could sit in Starbucks, or even McDonalds, and be cool. Now I want calm. I typically write now, in my bedroom, at the desk, or on the bed. Earbuds in playing music to get me in the mood. A beverage of some sort, standing nearby. Usually coffee, or water. My music selection depends on what I'm writing. For my SciFi story Aeris, I play the Halo 5 Soundtrack on repeat.

 

What about you? What is your writing environment like?

[Valkyrie]

I like a quiet, calm environment to write.  If I'm home, I usually will have the TV on just for noise, but if I'm writing I'll put it on mute or turn it off.  

[lilansui]

All of yours, music, calm, and my desk, but for me, writing also depends on the type of story and what is happening in my life at a given time. That last part is very frustrating sometimes because it can mean struggling through a story if things are not so great, which can turn into a nightmare.  Or coasting through a story if I'm in the right mindset, which is amazing.  I wonder if that happens to anyone else.

[Jason Rimbaud]

I've always written at my desk.  Usually the TV is on, MSTK3 is a favorite for me, volume on normal level.  I like being alone while writing but need sound.  Whenever I need a break from typing, I look up and watch the screen across my living room.  I also listen to music, never earbuds as that is too close to my poor feeble brain.  

 

Before, I had always had something to drink, beer, whiskey, wine, and wrote until I couldn't see the screen clearly.  I would also smoke about ten to twelve cigarettes.  But now I tend to drink water or lemonade and gave up the smokes (only because I don't smoke in my house) but the other habits I still have.

 

I stopped writing for years, not because of writers block or some other nefarious issue.  I had just gotten sober and threw myself into my work.  Now that I am living comfortable again, a beautiful house that I can afford without eating top ramen for dinner, I found slipping back into my writing was as easy as ever.  Now I tend to write about three hours a day six days a week.  My boyfriend doesn't understand my writing (the passion I have for it) but allows me my time and privacy.  I guess he figures its a much safer activity that others I have practiced in the past.

[craftingmom]

I usually write at my desk where I have my laptop and a second monitor connected to it.  I really like having the two screens, one where I have my story up and the second one where I have up my browser window with the thesaurus ready to go.  I seem to need it quiet so I tend to write best between midnight and 3am when everyone else is asleep.  If I do write during daylight hours and the kids are around or my husband has the TV on, I sometimes have to turn on a white noise machine to help mask the chaos, otherwise I get too caught up in whatever's going on behind me.

 

 

[Mikiesboy]

in a big chair, feet up..aluminum laptop stand with laptop on my knee.. tv on or off and lately neighbours from hell upstairs. We do have a spare room now.. it's tempting to maybe move myself in there... we'll see

[Wicked Witch]

I play music, usually whatever youtube suggestions offers. I can't fit a desk into my room, so sit on the bed with laptop in front of me. I can't write when I have things other than music distracting me, it just never works out. 

[AK79]

Typically I write at the table in the breakfast nook while drinking coffee by the gallon and playing the music of various punk rock groups, or Hank III.  I find it easier to write alone than around other people though.  So once the kid or the husband come home they will distract me until they pass out.

[Cia]

On the couch with the laptop, preferably when no one is home and I can have perfect silence and use Dragon. If the family is home, typing away with headphones with rock music tends to be my go to, except I got my daith pierced in February and wearing earbuds is just now getting to the point where it isn't painful.

[Aditus]

At my desk, with my headphones on listening to country music. It's music I can listen to without listening to if that makes sense. Or at my little hiding place on the roof terrace, but the weather has to be acceptable for that.

[William King]

I could write anywhere given the means to do so and a little quiet - absence of interruptions. Mostly I'm writing at home on my tablet, but - as an example - I wrote half of chapter 1 part III of Neon (my latest published story) in the doctor's waiting room. Kind of appropriate because that's part of what I was describing, and the woman in black with her hair in a bun was actually there sitting opposite. I wrote that part on my phone. What else can you do in a waiting room - read a mag, play a game, or Write! 

[robertlee]

I write at the table and usually only in the mornings otherwise my brain just does not function properly. Sadly that means I get very few days to write because of my work schedule. I always have music playing of some kind and usually coffee or some other drink with caffeine to keep me going. Often times I'm surrounded by random notes and books and scribbles on paper from the days I can't really write.

[Former Member]

I write alone in my room, ether at my desk or laying down with my laptop. Sometimes I listen to music, sometimes not. I have a playlist for my writing need, mostly consisting of instrumentals, soundtracks and depressing shit.

I used to be more adaptive when I was younger too. I used to be able to write in class or wherever in my notebook even if ppl are watching. I also used play a movie and write while it played. Now there's no way I could do any of that, I'd get too distracted, sometimes even music distracts me so I gotta turn that shit off.

[Brayon]

I've recently found, I can't write when I have music with words playing. Too distracting for me. So, I listen to it, before putting on just intramental, to get me in the right frame of mind. Listening to Meat Loaf's Bat Outa Hell II album doesn't make for good SciFi. LOL

[Former Member]

1 minute ago, BHopper2 said:

I've recently found, I can't write when I have music with words playing.

 

Ugh! This happens to me too. Though sometimes its not a problem.

Also its a bit easier if they're singing in a language you don't understand. Or, even better they're just making noises that don't form any words (idk whats that called...)

[Former Member]

1 hour ago, sweetmamajama said:

I write alone in my room, ether at my desk or laying down with my laptop. Sometimes I listen to music, sometimes not. I have a playlist for my writing need, mostly consisting of instrumentals, soundtracks and depressing shit.

I used to be more adaptive when I was younger too. I used to be able to write in class or wherever in my notebook even if ppl are watching. I also used play a movie and write while it played. Now there's no way I could do any of that, I'd get too distracted, sometimes even music distracts me so I gotta turn that shit off.

First off...love the pen name.  I used to listen to a playlist when writing certain scenes. Now whenever I try to listen to music while writing, I end up singing along, and I soon forget what I'm writing about.

 

My writing environment is my dining room. I have an old desk that I purchased at a yard sale thirty years ago. Like myself, my space is nothing fancy. On the wall above my desk is a large faded silk screen print of Jimi Hendrix made in 1972, that I bought from the Goodwill for two bucks. He keeps me company as I tap out my not so fancy writing.  I write in the early morning hours when the house is quiet. I usually have a cup of coffee, large glass of iced water, and sometimes a special treat on hand. 

[Former Member]

3 minutes ago, R J Drew said:

First off...love the pen name.  I used to listen to a playlist when writing certain scenes. Now whenever I try to listen to music while writing, I end up singing along, and I soon forget what I'm writing about.

 

My writing environment is my dining room. I have an old desk that I purchased at a yard sale thirty years ago. Like myself, my space is nothing fancy. On the wall above my desk is a large faded silk screen print of Jimi Hendrix made in 1972, that I bought from the Goodwill for two bucks. He keeps me company as I tap out my not so fancy writing.  I write in the early morning hours when the house is quiet. I usually have a cup of coffee, large glass of iced water, and sometimes a special treat on hand. 

 

aww tnx!

 well now I'm sure this is a gay website, talking about yard sales and fancy vintage home decor!

Sometimes I end up singing even if there's no music playing!

[northie]

For my first version (pencil and paper) I need as few distractions as possible. Certainly no music or anything else like radio or TV. When I'm typing it up, often it also turns into a first edit. Sometimes, this can mean substantial changes. If it is good enough to just transcribe, it doesn't matter hugely what else is going on. Major edits need the same environment as writing it in the first place.  

[Krista]

Quiet, no distractions (which is difficult to do with three kids, a husband, and two unruly dogs)... The no distractions is very important, I can become easily distracted by things and it can derail any writing. I have loaded up a document page and as soon as I do someone would call or text.. or skype.. something and all writing will go to crap.  Music is a must, to drown out television, conversations, and the dings of dryers and dishwashers..  I can either do a playlist or a song that I'm addicted to on repeat. 

[Jason Rimbaud]

 

On 5/29/2017 at 11:45 AM, BHopper2 said:

I've recently found, I can't write when I have music with words playing. Too distracting for me. So, I listen to it, before putting on just intramental, to get me in the right frame of mind. Listening to Meat Loaf's Bat Outa Hell II album doesn't make for good SciFi. LOL

And here I thought I was the only person on the planet that liked Meat Loaf.  The majestic of his voice, the sincerity of his words, I would so do naughty things to him...not that there is anything wrong in that...I'm just saying.  

 

J

[mastershakeme]

I like quiet too. The cats aren't loud or anything, but sometimes that worse, because in the middle of a great scene, it's completly quiet in the house, and then CRASH! BANG! and the cats come running out of the other room chasing each other. It's not like I have a choice, I have to see what they tore up now! 

 

Also, people try to talk to me while I'm writing. I mean, people around me at home! I can usually handle texts and stuff. But how am I supposed to concentrate guys with you yacking in my ear!! 

 

Ugh!!! Sometimes I have to put in earphones and listen to music. But it can't have any lyrics. That's very distracting. I usually listen to electronic. Something spacy... Boards of Canada anyone?

[Brayon]

1 hour ago, mastershakeme said:

Ugh!!! Sometimes I have to put in earphones and listen to music. But it can't have any lyrics. That's very distracting. I usually listen to electronic. Something spacy... Boards of Canada anyone?

 

Never heard of Boards of Canada before, but I will look them up. I listen to instrumental music as well. Currently is Video Game, and Movie Soundtracks.

[mastershakeme]

3 hours ago, BHopper2 said:

Never heard of Boards of Canada before, but I will look them up. I listen to instrumental music as well. Currently is Video Game, and Movie Soundtracks.

 

Video game music FTW!  

[metajinx]

At my desk, sometimes listening to music. I've collected a "writing" playlist with songs that get me going just right and aren't too distracting. I can't deal with too fast, too slow or too happy/aggressive songs and there are a few where I just have to sing along, so those are out. The music helps tuning out other distractions, like tractors and trucks rolling by at a snail's pace, and it also helps drown out my dogs or cats playing. It only works up to a point, but luckily there isn't anyone here to interrupt me. Can't deal with my phone or instant messagers beeping though. Drives me nuts.

[MrM]

It depends on what I'm writing.

 

Usually, I go into my bedroom, light my scented candles, burn my incense stick for my Mama, turn out all artificial light, lay in my ultra comfy Temperpedic bed, and start typing away with my IPad in my lap. I like quiet most the time as music can distract me. I'll listen to my musical outlines during the day and formulate ideas as I go about doing other things.

 

Sometimes, though, especially if I need the right energy, I'll go to one of my local gay bars, have a drink and some dinner, and write there. The swirl of the right atmosphere transcribes itself into my narrative. The music, the flirting, the laughing and camping it up really sets the mood. A number of scenes for Snowflake were written at Urban MOs which is my favorite gay spot in San Diego. Such places give, my writing an authenticity that I want to share in the story.

Edited July 28, 2017 by MrM