A Writer in the City
Today was a beautiful day. Spring has arrived! I was having trouble staying in the stuffy office this afternoon so I took an hour break to get outside. I strolled over to Bryant Park and basked in the sun while reading Tithe by Holly Black and scribbling plot notes about my WIP.
It was very relaxing to sit there admist throngs of other New Yorkers just enjoying the beautiful weather. I was able to work out some important plot points for the WIP, some of which I’d forgotten to include a few chapters back.
There are lots of times and places in the city that I like working out this kind of thing for my WIP. My favorite is the subway. I can sit there in the zone, ideas flitting through my head for upcoming scenes or even past ones. When I’m walking, I sometimes think over details in my WIP. Something about moving from one place to another brings out the creativity for me. I have no idea why. It just happens.
Today made me hope that Saturday afternoon brings sunshine instead of the predicted rain so that I can take my laptop, a notebook and a blanket to a nice spot under a park tree so I can spend the day outside working on the novel. Sounds like a great way to spend a weekend afternoon.
Where do you usually like to mull over your story? Do you like to write anywhere other than home?
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I assume you mean other then your proper writing/work space. Sometimes on my drive in to the day job, rarely on the drive home though. At the kitchen table with a fresh cup of coffee. In the shower, but the water has to be really hot. Out for a walk or a hike.
Lately I’ve been mulling over my story while I crochet. My blanket is almost done, though, so what I’ll do after that is anyone’s guess. I used to think over my writing while I was outside having a smoke. Maybe I’ll take a walk when I need to think, or do yardwork. Anything that doesn’t require my brain to be activated should work. =o)
Walking or driving in the car, certainly. Once in a while, though, I won’t be able to fall asleep, so I’ll head to the kitchen, turn on only the tiny stove light, and heat up a mug of warm milk and honey. Then I just pace back and forth in the dark in my jammies, sipping and thinking. A lot of ideas seems to fall into place magically on those occasions for some reason.
You can see your laptop screen sufficiently well outdoors to write? I’m jealous! I have to really strain to see mine, even under a tree. Perhaps it is time for an upgrade. I would love to be able to work outdoors on a nice day.
I just can’t focus when I’m at home. I either let things that I “should” be doing take over, or my natural laziness takes over. Cafes work best for me, but pretty much anywhere that’s secluded and has coffee. Anything with a booth works best for me.
You know what would drive me nuts about living in NYC? I’d be staring at every person over the age of 25 wondering if it was Miss Snark. I don’t think I’d be able to help it!
I’m with a few of the others here in that I do a lot of story mulling while driving. You’re just sitting there, it’s not like you can go anywhere……..except perhaps, where ever it is you happen to be going. And I too sometimes have trouble writing at home; I blame the internet.
I happen to live within walking distance of a Barnes & Noble so I find myself in their cafe quite a bit.
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