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Topic: Writers, where do you work?
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| Author | Message |
| Fern | Posted – 7/24/2005 8:40:56 PM | show profile I'm always struggling with maintaining a schedule and finding the perfect place to set up my laptop has proven the most annoying aspect. Home is distracting, that perfect cafe is elusive/expensive/etc. Where are you consistently productive as a freelancer? Do you have dedicated space in your apartment? Rent office space? Write in wi-fi-enabled cafes? Are you a member of a Writers Room-type place? A combination? Thanks. |
| limericks4all | Posted – 7/24/2005 10:40:01 PM | show profile Doesn't really matter to me. I have a home office, but just as often take my laptop over to Starbucks or Borders. Now when I was staring out, I found it useful to have a home office, and start at 9 a.m. on the dot. Now I am more flexible, and don't worry about a schedule, as long as words are piling up on the page and I am meeting deadlines. |
| aj | Posted – 7/25/2005 9:08:57 AM | show profile It's really hard to make that decision when you're getting started but limericks4all has great advice. No matter where you decide to work (home, library, cafe, etc.) start at a set time so that your mentality is such that this is your job. I like to mix it up. You can find a list of free wifihotspots at www.wififreespot.com so you're not paying $10 an hour for internet access. Renting an office is, IMHO, worthwhile only if you have a long-term freelance gig that can pay for it! Otherwise, try to separate your space somewhere in your apartment/house so that your ''work area'' doesn't conflict with your ''life area'' - meaning, you're not staring at dirty laundry while you're typing away. Somehow, it just doesn't help with inspiration! |
| starrevartan | Posted – 7/25/2005 10:11:58 AM | show profile I find it invaluable to have a home office. I start work at 9:30, close the door, and only take breaks like I would if I worked at an office- which can include 5 minutes to throw a load in the wash or dryer, or make a cup of tea, since I used to invent excuses to walk around the office and I don't have any coworkers to distract me. It's important to take mental breaks and physical ones. I've gotten to the point where I can also take my laptop out on my patio and get some sun- for about an hour or so, and then I get way too distracted. I would put aside work space, if you only have a small area to work with, get a cool screen or something. I think having that mental 'work area' is really, really important. |
| redheadedone | Posted – 7/25/2005 2:00:18 PM | show profile My home office is set up in my bedroom--long commute. Seriously, I get up early every day, walk the dog, take a shower, and then sit hunched over the computer until 6-7 PM. I'd love to do the laptop thing, but that would mean carrying around press kits, product samples etc., It's easier for me to stay home. I only turn the TV on for lunch and purposely leave it on NY1. It helps the dog stay informed. |
| lvanderkam | Posted – 7/25/2005 3:04:57 PM | show profile Home doesn't have to be distracting. My office is in my bedroom. There are days I don't go to any other rooms but the kitchen and bathroom during work hours, so it is possible to not fret about laundry, broken lamps, clutter, etc. until a certain time (say, 6pm) when you consider your shop closed for the day. Make a list on weekends of your priorities for the week, then schedule those for each day. When you finish your ''assignments'' for the day, you can deal with your distractions, watch TV, whatever. Or you can start on the next day and take Friday afternoons off when you finish the week's priorities early. Sure, sometimes new stuff will land on your plate (editor wants last minute revision or a great assignment will come along) but most of the time, you'll know what's coming up about a week ahead of time so the week scheduling method works to keep you focused. I agree that cafes can be complicated, and how will you handle phone calls to sources as someone's shouting ''Who ordered the frappacino?'' in the background? The Hemingway writer-in-the-cafe bit may work for some people, but I haven't met many of them. |
| 1000words | Posted – 7/25/2005 4:23:50 PM | show profile I actually get much more distracted in a cafe than I do at home. (People watching is a great way to procrastinate....) Yes, I work in a home office. True, there are days when I feel like I really should be scrubbing the toilets or mopping the floors, but I've gotten more disciplined over time. Also, if you use home office space full-time, you can write off a chunk of your mortgage/rent when it comes to tax time. I'm thinking of expanding my office into our third and fourth bedrooms as well... (just kidding) |
| burgundy | Posted – 7/25/2005 8:03:58 PM | show profile Creature of habit After all my research, interviews, and fact-checking are done, I write my notes and lead at a coffeeshop. Then first draft on my couch at home (notes scattered on my enormous ottoman). Second draft at a coffeehouse. Edits at park/coffeehouse/bar. Final draft at home. Been the same ritual through college, grad school, and now freelancing - that's almost a decade of sameness. The change of scenery inspires me. |
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