As for myself, I've taken to carrying around a notebook. Two notebooks, actually. A small one I can scribble in while I'm driving (I've learned to write legibly while not looking) since bunnies strike often in the car. Then I have a full-size one I carry printouts of my WIP in and add to over breakfast or lunch when the muse strikes.
I have an advantage in two ways: (1) I work second shift, so often have a lot of quiet time either during the day or after work in the middle of the night; and (2) because I work second shift, work lately has tended to slow down during the latter half of my shift and I write at work sometimes.
I can't tell you how many in-progress things I have on my hard drive and littered about, but it has to be in the dozens. And I enjoy it.
You're right on with this statement: Writers have a very unique problem, because we tend to have two worlds: the world around us and the world inside our heads. I tend to write best in restaurants -- diners, Denny's and IHOP are best -- and for the places I frequent, the waitresses know me. Those who've never seen me before inevitably try to get into a conversation with me about what I'm writing (asking if it's for work, usually), and I don't want a conversation when I'm on a roll. I want background noise and to be able to write in peace only disturbed by being asked if I want more coffee.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2007-08-08 12:13 am (UTC)Excellent topic.
As for myself, I've taken to carrying around a notebook. Two notebooks, actually. A small one I can scribble in while I'm driving (I've learned to write legibly while not looking) since bunnies strike often in the car. Then I have a full-size one I carry printouts of my WIP in and add to over breakfast or lunch when the muse strikes.
I have an advantage in two ways: (1) I work second shift, so often have a lot of quiet time either during the day or after work in the middle of the night; and (2) because I work second shift, work lately has tended to slow down during the latter half of my shift and I write at work sometimes.
I can't tell you how many in-progress things I have on my hard drive and littered about, but it has to be in the dozens. And I enjoy it.
You're right on with this statement: Writers have a very unique problem, because we tend to have two worlds: the world around us and the world inside our heads. I tend to write best in restaurants -- diners, Denny's and IHOP are best -- and for the places I frequent, the waitresses know me. Those who've never seen me before inevitably try to get into a conversation with me about what I'm writing (asking if it's for work, usually), and I don't want a conversation when I'm on a roll. I want background noise and to be able to write in peace only disturbed by being asked if I want more coffee.
Interesting discussion :)