During my short soiree as a writer thus far, I’ve discovered that the environment one writes in is very important. At least it is for me.  More than just finding a place that is quiet (most of my places aren’t quiet actually), for me it’s about finding a place I feel inspired to write.

My favorite places to write:

My favorite coffeehouse to work in.

  1. Coffeehouses: I hate to start out with such a cliche writing location, but it’s true. I love writing in coffeehouses. From the aroma of coffee and sweets wrapping around me to the happy chatter of baristas, I find coffeehouses provide a vibrant and welcoming environment to get work done. But more than anything, this is where other writers work on their latest project. Or maybe they’re not writers, but they are still working diligently to accomplish something, just like me. Comradery can be very inspirational.
  2. My Apartment: This is where I do most of my work on my book. I have a small desk in my small guest bedroom of my small apartment where I’ve covered the surrounding walls with pictures of forests and castles and notecards. I’ve worked hard to create a space where I feel inspired and a place where I can be productive and creative. I’d encourage each of you aspiring writers to create a space like this in your home. Whether it’s in the guest bedroom or a corner of your closet, create a space where you feel inspired to create. A refuge of imagination where you can relax, work, and get away from the distractions of the world.

    Young Adult literature room at Wagnalls Memorial Library.

  3. The Library: Remember going to the library as a kid and how cool you thought it was? Guess what, it’s still cool.  The building I work in is a 5 minute walk from the main library, which means I’m there for 97% of my lunch breaks working on my book. Here are some practical reasons to work at the library: It’s quiet; If you need to do research for your book, hello, everything you need is right there; It’s free, as in you don’t have to feel obligated to buy an expensive mocha frappa-whatchamacallit (though maybe that’s a negative for you cause you love the mocha frappa-whatchamacallit). But outside of that, I find myself walking through the library to my favorite work area absorbing the reality that I’m surrounded by thousands of authors who started just like me. And I get genuinely giddy thinking that one day, my own book will grace the shelves of my local library.
  4. A Cabin In The Woods: I saved the best for last, as I tend to do. I write fantasy, which tends to feature dark, mysterious forests glittering with magic and concealing secrets in the shadows. Nature provides the most potent inspiration for me. For me, my cabin in the woods is my family’s cabin on a lake. Imagine the most idyllic image of a small cabin surrounded by tall pine trees overlooking a lake so clear you think it’s glass instead of water. That’s my family’s cabin in the woods. I am one lucky gal. Every year I go up for my own little writer’s retreat and let the story blowing through the trees and over the water flow through my fingers onto the page. Where is your cabin in the woods? Is it a vacation house you went to as a child? Maybe a small resort town close by? Or maybe it’s just your favorite bench at a local park. Wherever it is, take advantage of it. Go there and write.