How to Find the Perfect Writing Spot

I always find it interesting to learn where writers actually do their writing. There are the usual suspects—coffee shops, group writing spaces, home offices, local parks—most of which I’ve used at one point or another. (There’s one coffee shop in particular where I should probably be paying rent by now.) But there are also the not-so-traditional spots. For me, these are the gold mine. I find that writing in unorthodox venues helps stir up more inspiration than if I were sitting at my desk. So I’ve devised this handy, four-question quiz to help you secure a bizarre writing spot of your very own! But beware: strange looks may result. (This guest column from young adult & middle grade writer Jacqueline Resnick.)
Author:
Publish date:

I always find it interesting to learn where writers actually do their writing. There are the usual suspects—coffee shops, group writing spaces, home offices, local parks—most of which I’ve used at one point or another. (There’s one coffee shop in particular where I should probably be paying rent by now.) But there are also the not-so-traditional spots. For me, these are the gold mine. I find that writing in unorthodox venues helps stir up more inspiration than if I were sitting at my desk. So I’ve devised this handy, four-question quiz to help you secure a bizarre writing spot of your very own! But beware: strange looks may result.

(Do you need different agents if you write multiple genres?)

Image placeholder title
Image placeholder title

Guest column by Jacqueline Resnick, author of Young Adult and
Middle Grade novels. She also writes under the name Jacqueline Green.
Her first novel, THE DARING ESCAPE OF THE MISFIT MENAGERIE
(Razorbill, Dec. 2012), is about four trapped circus animals who plan an
escape with the ringmaster’s son—and make a true friend in the process.
Her second novel, TRUTH OR DARE, comes out in May of 2013 and is
the first in a YA thriller series. You can learn more at jacquelinewrites.com.
Or, follow her on Twitter at: @jacqwrites.


1. If you could have any caffeinated beverage in the world, what would it be?

For me this is the vanilla chai latte—the sugary, powdery kind, not the healthy tea kind. I find that, first thing in the morning, the best place for me to write is anywhere that serves my vanilla chai. It motivates me to get out of the house, and the rush of sugar and caffeine jump-starts my brain. So if mornings are your writing time, I recommend developing a desperate craving for your favorite beverage and then hunting it down, no matter where it takes you. It might be a coffee shop; it might be a bagel shop; it might even be 30th Street Train Station in Philadelphia. (Their chai is top-notch.) Don’t be afraid to go back for seconds, either. On some mornings, one chai is just not enough.

2. Do you enjoy a nice, hot shower?

It’s true: I’ve been known to write in the shower. And not just in condensation on the door, either. There are actual products meant for this! I use this one: http://www.myaquanotes.com/. Apparently, it’s a known fact (or at least a hypothesized fact) that steam and hot water help jog your brain. There is a slight health risk attached to this, however. If you get really caught up in what you’re writing, you might eventually step out of the shower to discover you’ve turned into a prune. But sometimes a little sacrifice is worth it. As the AquaNotes brand says: No more great ideas down the drain!

(Book Payments and Royalties -- Your Questions Answered.)

3. What’s your favorite activity?

I love to walk. My mom doesn’t have her license, so I grew up walking everywhere. Now, I live in New York City, where everyone walks everywhere. But it wasn’t until recently that I discovered I could do two of my favorite things at the same time: walk and write. That’s right: I write on the notepad app on my phone while strolling around my neighborhood. There are definitely downsides. You might step in a pile of something unappealing. (Done it.) You could nearly get tangled up in a dog walker’s swarm of leashes. (Done it.) And you will definitely get annoyed looks from people who think you’re a frantic text messager. (ALL THE TIME.) But who cares? I get so much more done when I’m writing and walking—and I get to go on great, long walks.

(Note: I would not recommend this if your favorite activity is bike riding. Or horseback riding. Or motorcycle riding. Any kind of riding, in fact.)

4. How do you commute?

I get some of my best writing done on public transportation. Subway, train, bus, plane, you name it. I find it’s the perfect time to write. You’re stuck there, for one, with nothing to do and a desperate need to distract yourself from the strange smell lifting off that discarded sandwich on the floor… I’m constantly getting sections of chapters written on the subway or the train. It makes me wonder how I ever survived without the notepad app on my phone.

Hopefully this quiz has given you an idea for your perfect, bizarre writing spot—one that will earn you plenty of strange looks of your own. Don’t worry: soon enough, you won’t even notice them.

(If you're looking for a good writing event along with your perfect writing location, check out this list of writers conferences.)

2014-childrens-writers-and-illustrators-market

Writing books/novels for kids & teens? There are hundreds
of publishers, agents and other markets listed in the
latest Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market.
Buy it online at a discount.

Other writing/publishing articles & links for you:

Image placeholder title

Want to build your visibility and sell more books?
Create Your Writer Platform shows you how to
promote yourself and your books through social
media, public speaking, article writing, branding,
and more. Order the book from WD at a discount.

Other writing/publishing articles & links for you:

Poetic Forms
Irish Poetic Forms

Rannaigecht Mor Gairit: Poetic Forms

Poetic Form Fridays are made to share various poetic forms. This week, we look at the rannaigecht mor gairit, a variant form of the rannaigecht.

Weinstein_1:21
Overcoming Writer's Block

The Writer, The Inner Critic, & The Slacker

Author and writing professor Alexander Weinstein explains the three parts of a writer's psyche, how they can work against the writer, and how to utilize them for success.

Stottlemyre_1:21
Interviews

Todd Stottlemyre: On Mixing and Bending Genres

Author Todd Stottlemyre explains how he combined fiction and nonfiction in his latest book and what it meant as a writer to share his personal experiences.

plot_twist_story_prompts_take_a_trip_robert_lee_brewer
Writing Prompts

Plot Twist Story Prompts: Take a Trip

Every good story needs a nice (or not so nice) turn or two to keep it interesting. This week, have a character take a trip somewhere.

Probst_1:20
Writing Techniques

Making the Switch from Romance to Women’s Fiction

In this article, author Jennifer Probst explains the differences between romance and women's fiction, the importance of both, and how you can make the genre switch.

Wrobel_1:20
Interviews

Stephanie Wrobel: On Writing an Unusual Hero

Author Stephanie Wrobel explains how she came to write about mental illness and how it affects familial relationships, as well as getting inside the head of an unusual character.

who_are_the_inaugural_poets_for_united_states_presidents_robert_lee_brewer
Poetry FAQs

Who Are the Inaugural Poets for United States Presidents?

Here is a list of the inaugural poets for United States Presidential Inauguration Days from Robert Frost to Amanda Gorman. This post also touches on who an inaugural poet is and which presidents have had them at their inaugurations.

precedent_vs_president_grammar_rules_robert_lee_brewer
Grammar

Precedent vs. President (Grammar Rules)

Learn when to use precedent vs. president with Grammar Rules from the Writer's Digest editors, including a few examples of correct usages.

Poetry Prompt
Wednesday Poetry Prompts

Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 554

Every Wednesday, Robert Lee Brewer shares a prompt and an example poem to get things started on the Poetic Asides blog. This week, write a future poem.