One of the things I usually post when I do takeovers on Facebook (online events in groups to talk about specific things like a new release) is an ask me anything post.
Sometimes the questions there are silly and sometimes they’re fascinating, but in a takeover I did the other day, one popped out at me and made me think. So I thought I’d share a bit more of a rambling answer than the one I gave on Facebook.
What’s your favorite environment to read or write books in?
My first response to this was that I’m a creature of habit. Sometimes that’s good and sometimes it’s terrible but I usually find something that my brain likes and keep doing it over and over.
Answering this from a writing perspective, for the last couple of years I’ve hidden away in my office to do most of my writing because my kids were home a lot. It was my quiet space to hide in, and while it currently is in desperate need of a cleaning, it’s one of my favorite spots in my house.
But…but the kids are both going to be in college in just a few weeks.
That’s still really weird to think about, but I know that’s going to change my process in some way or another. Back a thousand years ago when they were in school most of the day and I had quite a bit of “me” time, I would drop them off at school and then go write at a coffee shop or have breakfast somewhere fun and work on planning out a new idea or just my to-do list.
Just thinking about how long it’s been since I’ve done that is frustrating, so I want that to be one of the things I start doing again when they’re at college (university to you UK friends lol). So one of my first goals is going to be to figure out a new schedule where I’m going out a few days a week to write and plan in different places.
Being stuck at home all day by myself would not be a positive thing for my mental health in the long run, so I’m going to find good people-watching places, and hopefully, some more local friends to make plans with.
Who’s going to take one for the team and have lunch with an author with too much time on her hands?
SHARE IN THE COMMENTS: Where do you usually get your work done? Are you a creature of habit or do you like to change up your routine?
I would love to come have lunch with you, but I live in Canada, so it would be a bit tricky! I write in my living room, and in my office during my breaks at work. Occasionally I’ll have a thought while out and have to park myself for a while to write it in my phone.
I think you’re underestimating my love of travel if you think Canada is too far away lol that’s just a quick road trip. I’ve never been able to write on my phone but I did write in a notebook a lot when my kids were younger and I’d take them to the park. It seems like a thousand years ago now.
I work from home. so I have a home office set up and I work in there, but also I will take my work to the living room or even sit on the back porch and work while the dogs run around.
if you were closer, I would definitely meet ypu for lunch. 🙂
I used to do a lot of writing on my back porch until my kids seemed to be home all the time. I think I’ll have to try doing that more once they’re both in college.