10 Places I’ve Written In Other Than At My Desk

I love my writing space at home. I have beautiful white desk, right next to a sleek bookshelf crammed with my favourite reads. I have a draw full of post it notes, a dozen pens close to hand, a colour changing light to brighten things up, and of course, my laptop. It’s the perfect place to settle in for a day of writing. Certainly I’ve written hundreds of thousands of words while lounging in my comfy desk chair, sipping another cup of coffee. But just because I have this lovely space doesn’t mean that I haven’t also written in a multitude of other places. In fact, some of my best writing has happened while away from home. Today I thought I’d share ten places I’ve written that aren’t in my house.

Trains

Trains are a surprisingly good place to get some writing done. Get in the quiet carriage where loud conversations are discouraged, pop some headphones in, and it’s a great way to get some uninterrupted writing time. Plus, my local NaNoWriMo group organises an event every November where we meet up to take over a train carriage and do writing sprints. It’s pretty much the most fun you can have on a train. Other passengers tend to stay well away from large groups of writers when we get going, which is also rather amusing.

Work

I’m lucky enough to work in a cafe, which is obviously an excellent place to do some writing in. I’ve definitely shown up to work an hour early to sit in the corner with some coffee and some writing before I start my shift. I wrote the blurb for The Shattering Song this way, with much excellent input from my co-workers. I’ve also been know to jot down ideas and even add a few words to my manuscript while on my lunch break. A writer’s gotta to do what writer’s gotta do to get those words on the page after all.

Food court

I’ve spent my fair share of time sitting in the food court at my local shopping centre waiting for a sister or two to finish work so I can give them a lift home. It’s noisy and often very busy, so not quite the ideal writing location, but it’s surprising how much you can get done even if it isn’t the place you’d have chosen for yourself. Many hours of editing have been done sitting at a table in the middle of the food court with a coffee and maybe a snack if I’m feeling fancy. If you’re going to be waiting a while, you may as well take advantage of the uninterrupted time you have, after all.

Car

I’m not much one for car travel, unless I’m the one driving, as I tend to get rather motion sick if I do anything more than stare out the window. But that has never stopped me from cramming as much writing as I can manage into the ten minute bursts I can handle before the motion sickness really gets to me. After all, if you’re travelling anywhere, and you have an hour or so to fill, what better way is there to keep yourself entertained than by working on your novel for a while?

Gym

Technically I’m supposed to be working out while I’m in the gym and not typing away furiously on my phone as I try to capture an idea before it disappears, but one has to catch inspiration when it strikes, and sometimes it decides to hit while I’m on an exercise bike. Every idea is precious after all. I’ve collected some good ideas while working out. Maybe because my mind would rather be focusing on anything other than how hard my poor tired body is working.

Holiday cabins

I’m one of those writers who never goes away without taking my laptop with me.There’s something about being in a new location, with no pressure and nothing to do but enjoy myself that makes me feel like working on some writing. It’s refreshing to sit with a view of a lake or the ocean and wrangle with some tricky wording. My usual habit is to try and get some editing done early, before everyone gets up for breakfast, and then enjoy my day knowing that I’ve already achieved something writerly.

Library

Of course I’ve written in a library or two. There’s nothing like taking up one of their tables for an hour or two and typing furiously in a silent, studious atmosphere while you’re surrounded by books. I’m sure the clack clack of my keys has disturbed more than one person trying to read quietly near me, and I apologise for that, but it’s surprising just how the words flow out when you’re in such a bookish environment.

Bookstore

This was probably one of my favourite writing events last November. My local NaNoWriMo group spent a day travelling round cafes and writing, and one of these cafes happened to be located in a large Dymocks. Which means I spent an hour wandering round the books (trying very hard not to buy them all), drinking coffee and adding a couple of thousand new words to my novel. It’s pretty much the best combination you can possibly imagine.

Hairdresser

When I was younger, my sisters and I used to all book haircuts on the same day, so there would be four of us in the hairdresser’s at any one time. Which meant that there was usually a decent span of time in which I was left sitting, waiting for my sisters to be finished. I usually liked to read a book, or scribble away furiously in a notebook. Though I usually use my notes app on my phone these days when I’m waiting before an appointment.

The Pool

I was exceedingly disappointed when I developed an allergy to pool chlorine. Apparently my body likes to react to swimming pools by laying me out for a week afterwards. However, my sisters used to go swimming regularly, and, for some unknown reason, I liked to tag along. Not to swim of course. Instead, I’d take up residence in the poolside seating, plug in some headphones, and work on my novel for a while. It was always hot and humid and very noisy, but I spent plenty of hours plugging away at my writing while they splashed and swam.

So, those are some of the places I’ve written in that aren’t in my house. But I’d love to hear from you. What is the most unusual place you’ve ever written in? What do you like to do if you’re waiting around for some reason?