Writing Routines and Writing Spaces

Something new is about to happen. It’s a big deal for me. For the first time in 8 years, all of my kids will be at school. For me, this means there is finally space in my life to make the the one thing I always want: A New Writing Routine!

When I was in grad school, my writing routines were pretty wonderful. The most intense of which was waking up at 4:30 in the morning, grabbing a protein shake, and heading to Starbucks when it opened for the first cup of coffee. The gentlest was writing on a large blanket on the living room floor with a Cubs game on. I used to have cats, which helped (I think Muriel Spark once said the best thing a writer can get is a cat on their lap… is this true?) but sadly they’ve both passed, and a new one isn’t in the cards quite yet. 

I’ve had writing routines that fell somewhere between these, but lately I’m not doing a very good job making it happen. And I want my new writing routine to feel fresh and free! I want to separate it a little from both my grad school days and my full time mommy days.

Naturally I’m considering my options. Having options is a wild thing.

1. I could write at my desk - Simple, elegant. Writing at my desk will feel most like work, and provide structure. Downside to writing at home is there’s always distraction, namely, the 100 things I should probably deep clean and the dinner I’ll be so happy if I just get started right now.

2. I could write at a coffee shop/restaurant - A fabulous choice, classic. I’ve got some great ones by me, but it gets expensive to buy all those coffees, and I drink coffee fast! So sometimes I’m sitting there with an empty cup for an extra half hour, feeling kinda weird about it. I’ve left a coffee shop only to be like, now what? I need another whole place for like an hour.

3. I could write at the library - I do love the library. Where I live most of the libraries offer big tables and high ceilings, very grand. But the quiet is a little dull for me sometimes, even with proper headphones, and occasionally I get antsy.

4. I could write in a park - Definitely high scope for the imagination at the park, and fresh air helps my brain work for sure. I’m an outdoors person. But it’s weather dependent, and a little luck dependent, because you have to find yourself a decent spot/noise level/view every time. Plus, computer options can be limited due to glare.

5. I could wear a writing sweater - For some reason I’ve thought of this as an option for a long time. Did I hear about it somewhere? I have no idea. It’s never worked. But I’ve always thought if I had just the right sensory sweater experience, it could click my brain on to just write anywhere. In my mind, this sweater is chunky and textured, more rough than soft, and a neutral color I’d never wear in my normal life. In such a sweater, I know I’d be new.

6. I could get any writing token I want honestly - I love candles so I often light them in the morning for the vibes– I could get a writing candle? Slash new writing playlist, new notebook, new kind of pen or something… but honestly I already have plenty of writing tools I love. Is a writing token even a thing? A friend from my writer’s group cross stitched me an inspirational quote*… would setting that up be enough?

*Here’s the inspirational quote!

I know that everybody mixes it up, and naturally I will develop like 2-3 standbys that will each work for different kinds of days. But I really want to hit the ground running! And honestly, I’m super nervous.

It’s true that having space in my day is freeing, but it’s also scary. There’s so much opportunity to waste time, entertain false starts, let myself down by how much I can accomplish in a week. I need to re-figure myself out, and how I work best. But I’m concerned that by the time I do, I’ll already be fielding sick days or starting another part-time job or something.

I’m dead serious: please comment and tell me where you write! Not just where you like to write, but where you actually, truly get lots done. What are people doing these days? I haven’t been in the game– the regular, routine, daily grind writing game– for ages. 

I will find anything you’ve got useful and interesting. Really.

Re-Reading and Reconsidering

I’ve been doing a lot of re-reading. I’ll get back to new books in a week or two, but lately I’ve been rediscovering myself in some old, old faves:

Loitering With Intent by Muriel Spark - In this book, Spark writes a fictional memoir about an author writing her first book. It’s funny and inspiring and wise without offering any concrete answers or guidance, and it makes my mind snap into focus because of it’s tight prose and deeply wild premise. I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before, apologies if I have. First loves are intense.

Let Me Tell You by Shirley Jackson - This book is filled with unpublished and some unfinished work, and near the back are some short and slightly underbaked essays by her. It’s like talking with your genius friend but they’re a little tipsy so they’re not making total sense… but somehow they’re making more sense than ever. The one or two really full essays in there (Garlic in Fiction, anyone?) always leave me ready to get to work.

Also, it’s not a book, it’s a podcast. But it’s been feeding my sense of nostalgia for the writer I used to be, and the writer I want to become:

The Foxed Page, Franny and Zooey series - The Foxed Page is great in general, but a little treat for me lately has been listening to this three-part series on Franny and Zooey. A cliche but real love of my youth, it’s fun to return and hear a brilliantly smart grown-up talk about what makes it work, and why it’s so absorbing.

And in the spirit of re-doing an old thing, here’s a cover I enjoy:

Good luck this week with your writing routine, whatever that looks like for you! <3