Writers! What do you find are the best working conditions?

Question

We're having a debate and the moment between writing somewhere that inspires you, even if it may be distracting (an outdoor setting, for instance, or a favourite cafe) and writing in a silent edifice free from outside stimuli (such as a room at the back of the house).

We're trying to get at whether you should feed your imagination in order to write, or starve it so that it is forced to work overtime creating an alternative environment.

What do you think- what is your ideal work environment, right down to equipment you use and colours you like to be surrounded by?

Thanks!

PS, take a look at my 360 page and have a browse if you want to know a little more about me- I crave constructive criticism of my style so leave a comment or email me!

Answer 1

I have 2 favourite places to write: Border's Bookstore cafe (and no, for some reason B&N doesn't do it for me) with or without the iPod and earplugphones and on the floor of my bedroom, leaning up against the bed.

So, it's both quiet and loud and no colours affect me. Also, music or no music...doesn't matter. I just like having those places of "comfort" (who doesn't love a bookstore?).

Answer 2

I find that I get my best inspiration when I'm surrounded by distractions. Anywhere and everywhere. However, this does not mean that I write best there. I do my best writing at home, with music on in the background and my page of distraction-inspired notes in front of me. Then I can send my mind back to remember what the inspiration was without having too much conflicting stimuli present all at once.

As to color, I've worked mostly in semi-bland places, color-wise. Soft colors, no overwhelming wallpaper, that kind of thing. However, I don't know if that has anything to do with my writing style as opposed to my personality - I just prefer my living space to be soft colors, with anything of interest being the artwork hanging on the walls.

Answer 3

I do some of my best work in my favorite chair with my cat curled up on the back of it purring. Ahhh, bliss! I prefer my iBook, but sometimes, when I really need to focus my cat and I move to my "office" and the iMac. It more of the need to feel "cozy" to be creative. I am also totally inspired by a trip to Disney World. I come back with so many ideas, it's unreal.

I'm moody, so it really depends on how I'm feeling as to what I need to do. There are days I just can't stand to be in a structured enviornment and there are days that the structure works for me. I guess I'm just a true Gemini. :-) The colors that surround me depend on my mood as well. I'll paint walls monthly if I feel like it. The artwork and photos around me change frequently. The only constants on my desk(s) are my M&M Empire & Figment figurines. There is also always something pink in any of my spaces. I can't handle silence. I always need, at the very least, "white noise", but no water sounds, or I'll be in the loo too much!

I would say I either "feed" my imagination or just let it run. I certainly don't starve it. I like low lights, comfy chairs and music - preferably something with a beat. :-)

Lately most of my writing has been briefs, so focus on my argument has been key. All my fun writing has been reserved for my blog, which hasn't been that hot or insightful lately. I've been on weird topics like terrorists and peanut butter. Yes, that is one topic. See? I really need a vacation or 3 days without autopsy reports!

Answer 4

I personally find my writing is often better when exposed to outside stimuli but the downside is that it's very slow going as i am easily distracted. on the other hand, my writng comes out much faster when i'm in an isolated environment, but it tends to be bland and colorless, more of a monolouge than a story...
I combine the best of both to my advantage. I confine myself to a room void of distractions and pour out my thoughts into the computer or notepad. once i have hashed out this monolouge, I move to a room with soutside stimui, whether it's the tv, or other people, or just my dogs in the backyard. once there, I flesh out what I wrote so that my outline is thick and colorful. this is how i get my writing done quickly and well. Plus, i find that access to a good thesaurus is increadably helpful... so is vanilla yougurt, if you read my stories, odds are that passages you enjoy were written while i was eating vanilla yougurt!
Happy writing, i hope this helps you in your debate, i tried to examen both sides of my writing and found that it IS both sides of my writing...

Answer 5

Actually, I work at the front desk of a hotel and use the computer there along with my thumb drive. It's amazing how much I can write in eight hours. Sure, some of the time I need to actually work (we're in our slow season) but I actually get a heck of a lot done. I try to go home and write afterwards and I don't do so well.

Answer 6

For me it's my room. The colors are black, red, and blue and usually I play some type of music. And I set in my lazy boy chair all alone with only enough light to see by. (usually a candle) I find that the best place to write. And to answer the question, you should do both first feed the imagination and then starve it.

Answer 7

Different people are different (obviously). I need to work under heavy distraction (possibly coz I'm dyslexic and odd) but I work best either in a public place like a cafe or pub or at home with a film on in the background. I can't work in silence at all, it does my head in!!

A good tip is to stop fussing about the environment and silly debates about it and just get on with it!! The only real way to improve your writing is to write - so says Stephen King and with his success I'm inclined to listen to the man

Answer 8

Frankly, I don't think I can write fiction - can't take myself or life seriously enough to develop entire characters and worlds.
But for my non-fiction, academic writing, I don't begin until I see the glimmer of a NEW idea - one that others have entirely overlooked. And once begun, I don't bog myself down with scholarly cross-referencing. First get the flow right, and then add on other people's quotes only when absolutely necessary. Hope that makes sense.

Answer 9

It depends on what I am doing, but honestly, so long as it is relatively quiet I can work anywhere. Once I get writing, I block out things around me and become pretty unaware of my surroundings. I find inspiration in all sorts of odd places, and I carry a notebook (an old fashion PAPER notebook, not a blackberry or laptop!) and jot down notes as the mood strikes me.

I write when I am ready to write. I've found I can't "assign" a time to do it, because my brain doesn't work that way. I usually jot stuff down, then go back to it later and work on it.

Answer 10

I guess I lean towards starving... I prefer to work in silence and by myself. I prefer to be in a room decorated in reds and yellows and have the room warm.
Only if I am stuck and need to get things going will I turn on music. I pretty much just put my mp3 on random and let whatever plays inspire me.
And I know this drives people nuts about me but I cannot create & type. I handwrite everything and then type it out.