How to Find The Time and Place to Write

What would I give to look up from my writing and see the waters of the bright blue sea crashing against the warm shore? Instead, I’m in my kitchen, the sounds of children playing and splashing about in the community swimming pool wafting in every now and then. Not to mention the distant rumble of traffic.  

Having worked in an office before, assigned to a desk, a series of stories and deadlines, the whole idea of a space to write was forced upon me. On my own, I took quite a while in getting my bearings as to where to flop down and get some serious writing down. Pending the arrival of The Perfect Writing Desk, the kitchen table does fine.

The same thing applies to the time. Again, I was motivated by deadlines, which were often within the day or the next day before noon. Now, I have to set my own deadlines and decide on when to write. Right now, most writing is done in the afternoon, when the chores are finished, the lunch plates cleaned and stowed away.

During his bachelor days, my dad shared an apartment with writers. He slept to the uneven beats of typewriter keys clacking and carriages zwishing away until dawn. 

I guess we writers are picky this way. I dare say that there’s some psychological conditioning involved when we decide on a preferred place and time to write. This also includes how big the desk should be, how soft the chair is, how cluttered or neat the area ought to be. In any case, we need to write and we need to physically prepare for it.

Here’s how I started out:

1.     Choose the time of the day has the least distraction.

2.     Decide on how many hours a day you can set aside.

3.     Find a place that’s quiet, well-lit, comfortable, and distraction-free.

4.     Have your essential materials ready: pens, notebooks, computer, etc.

5.     Commit to stay away from the Internet while writing.

I sometimes mix things up by going on photo safaris around the city or settling down on a park bench. I do this when I’m journaling or writing very first and rough drafts. I get back to my “office” or “workshop” for rewriting.

I may not have my retreat house by the beach (yet) but need precedes wants. I’m equally happy that I have two or more places to be at and a generous amount of time.

It all goes back to commitment and dedication. How seriously do you take your craft? Anything we set our minds to needs a part of our time and space. The world is big and we all have 24 hours a day.

You may sometimes find that nothing “comes to you” at your designated time and place. Don’t fret. This happens. It’s just your mind getting used to the routine. Just sit still and wait. In THIS ARTICLE, I have some journal exercises you can do.

If nothing happens, at least for today, you can tell your muse/inspiration/genius/subconscious that “I showed up for work today, where were you?” Then try again tomorrow.