Hey there and Happy Sunday to all. This week I celebrated my birthday but will refrain from telling you how old I am. How about I just tell you how old I feel. Nah maybe that’s not a good idea either. Maybe we should just get down to business, shall we? I noticed that a lot of people seem to enjoy writing in coffee shops and I just can’t help but wonder, why? Does it matter where you write as long as you just get the job done?’ Or does writing in a specific place really help make a writer more creative?

I’ve never taken my laptop to the local Starbucks and hammered out a few chapters to the sounds of chitter-chatter and the aroma of my favorite coffee although the thought has crossed my mind now and then. But I think the reason I haven’t done it is because of the constant talking in the background. I can do anything to white noise like for instance I need to sleep to the sound of a fan no matter what season it is. That’s just me. But I find it extremely difficult to write while their multiple people talking behind me or in front of me. It completely ruins my concentration but if it works for you then I say stick with what works.

Some people enjoy writing at the beach. Now that’s what I’m talking about. The sound of the crashing waves and the seagulls is so relaxing, who couldn’t benefit from the atmosphere. There is just something very calming about the beach. During my college days, one of my ex-boyfriends and I used to go walking on the beach and he doesn’t know this but it was my favorite place to go with him. I love the beach and haven’t been in years. But I think that it’s the best way to get those creative juices flowing, especially if there’s hardly anyone there like early in the morning or in the evening when the sunsets. Tranquility is always the best time to be creative.

I hate to admit this online but I enjoy writing at work. Yes, I am guilty as sin and I know I’m not supposed to be doing it but my job can be incredibly boring sometimes and everyone there knows it which is why they don’t mind if I do it. I have done some of my best writing at jobs over the years, especially when working night shifts or working alone. I’d have my favorite music playing in the background and I would write until my hands cramped up. This is probably why I get carpal tunnel in my right hand but I don’t care I love writing at work.

Some just love writing alone in their room during a thunderstorm or light rain. It’s quiet and with a nice hot cup of coffee or tea, you can make this setting very inviting. Add some soft lighting but just enough to be able to see what you are doing and you can make it quite relaxing. But don’t get too relaxed. You wouldn’t want to find yourself falling asleep on the keyboard and accidentally delete all of your hard work. This setting works for me as well and when it wasn’t raining or to drown out outside noise in the house or outside, I have even used sound generators. My favorite is the rain sounds on http://www.mynoise.net . I would turn that on and put on my headphones and let my imagination flow. At times this has made me write longer than I ever have because usually, I write for a short length of time when I’m busy doing other things or when I’m distracted. There’s just something amazing about the sound of rain falling. Nature sounds bring out the best in me and a relaxed me is a creative me.

I find it hard to write in complete silence because I overthink a lot. I need some kind of noise to drown out my thoughts or I can’t focus. I’m not sure when or how I got that way. All I know is that I can’t stop and I hate it. It does interfere with writing sometimes if I am writing in the wrong place so I have to be careful where I write. It really can make a difference in how you write. Once again, I say stick with whatever works for you and get those creative juices flowing.

Have a great week everyone.

Until next time…