What's Your Writing Routine?

Oct 19, 2010

I don't write at a desk.

This is not because of some "free the poet within" sort of philosophy, or some bizarre quirk that makes it easier for me to write while sitting in an empty bathtub. It's because I'm poor (ish).

Luckily, a laptop can go anywhere, and with a $20 TV tray, I've got sort of a little nook set up. The Muse-fish keeps me company, and I can settle into the comfy couch and write for hours. So really, I don't mourn the lack of a desk at all.

Every writer has some kind of routine (which for me includes my space). And I'm a very routine kind of girl. Of course, my little Gooser makes it a little tough to keep that routine, but being a mom has helped me learn to roll with the punches.

I try to write every day, and I usually hit that goal. Most mornings, I put Gooser to bed around ten and get a glorious two hours to write. Sometimes, I get another hour or two at night (depending on if I got any work done that day-- I do contract editing from home). I do my blogging and networking sporadically throughout the day, but I try to squeeze it into one big chunk if Gooser takes an afternoon nap as well.

And all from my cozy little nook!

So, my friends, I'm curious. What does your writing routine look like? Where do you write? Share away!

16 comments:

C. N. Nevets said...

When I'm at home, I sit in my big comfy arm chair with my laptop. Coincidentally, There's an aquarium full of fish next to me.

Five days a week, my wife works for four hours in the evening, so I try to get 2-3 hours of that as concentrated writing time.

She's nice enough to allow to me write some during our two days we have where we actually see each other, but that's something I play by ear rather than do by routine.

If I'm not at home, I prefer writing outside. I'll take my laptop out on a deck, porch, or yard as long as it's warm enough, and crank away on it.

I've tried writing in coffee shops, but it only works if I have headphones in and am feeling pretty focused already.

I can't write in restaurants because I feel guilty about taking up a table.

Meredith said...

That's such a fun little nook! I just got a new desk, so I'm trying to write at that. When I try to write on my couch, I am just not as productive.

David P. King said...

Great post!
With a little boy and another child on the way, working full time while renting someone's house doesn't leave me much of a nook for writing, a major reason why my daily word count has been terrible this past year. For the time being, I simply write when I can. Down-time and lunches at work, nap-times at home, and the occasional Friday retreat to the local library. I guess you can say I'm still looking for my nook :)

Lydia Kang said...

I need to take a page out of your book and dedicate solid free time to writing instead of trolling the interwebz. Glad I found your blog, and thanks for following mine!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I blog off and on all day, but writing I do at night, usually in my office chair with a pad and pen. Oh, and after chilling with my guitar for a while, too.

Jennifer Hillier said...

I have a writing room, as I call it, with a nice big desk and a not-so-comfortable chair (which I really need to replace at some point). I write in spurts. A couple of pages, a quick break where I read blogs or check Facebook, then another spurt, and so on. The frequent breaks seem to help. I write Mon-Fri but always take weekends off and try to totally stay away from the computer.

Melissa said...

I write in bed or on the couch. I have my laptop in my lap. It's the same with homework. I have a desk.... which I only use when I need to use the printer/scanner. I like to be comfy.

I don't really have a writing routine. I just do it whenever....But NaNo is going to force me to get a routine. We'll see how that goes. I'm not a very structured person....

Nicole Zoltack said...

I write at a desk. I try to write when my boys are napping but they hardly ever sleep at the same time so usually I have to either stay up late or get up early. The internet though tempts me and cuts majorly into my writing time.

Jennifer Hoffine said...

I use my laptop, either at the kitchen table or at the couch, on a tray similar to yours (only mine has princesses on it). I prefer that to the desk upstairs because the internet is too tempting then.

The routine is sporadic, unfortunately, but I'm generally a better night writer.

Jessie Oliveros said...

My laptop in my comfy chair after my kids are in bed and before I fall asleep sitting up.

Ellie Garratt said...

Love your nook!

I either write with pen and paper, sat on the sofa. I have a special lap tray. Or I write on the laptop at the dining room table. I do have a writers bureau where I store all my writing stuff, but I find it too small and restrictive to write at. I like to spread myself around. LOL.

MTeacress said...

I've got a lovely sunroom with a desk, but sometimes I like to move my writing spot around the house - kitchen table, or proped up with pillows on my bed. I write a chapter every couple of weeks for my crit group deadline, and in between chapters I research and outline. :)

Abby Minard said...

I used to sit in a glider to write, then I got a desk (but with an ancient chair thats really uncomfortable) so now I've moved to my bed. I'm able to sit against the pillows with my heating pad (I have a stupid neck/back) and write. I also have a little one, so I mostly keep up with blogs and blogging while she's awake after work and school because it's easier to leave and come back. I do my writing on Wednesdays while she is at school, and at night while she's asleep. I can't write while she's awake- writing with a 5 year old is like taking a bath with a hair dryer.

Lindsey Edwards said...

My writing routine looks something like this: Wake up, feed son (he's three), ingest as much caffeine as I can while playing with energetic toddler (otherwise when he goes down for his nap, I feel like I need one). Put said toddler in bed for a nap and write! I go at it as long as I can, although I break when my son wakes up. A body has to eat! LoL So from about 2pm to 6pm I'm at my computer working toward that daily goal of 1,000 words! :)

alexia said...

Hi, I'm a new follower and fellow writer. I write urban fantasy. My routine, hmmmm. I always write on the sofa with my laptop, usually with a blanket covering my legs. Sometimes with some hot tea. Other than that, not much of a routine. Stop by my blog if you'd like!

Amie Kaufman said...

My writing routine has three parts. When I'm working hard on something, I take my netbook with me on the train, and can often hammer out a thousand words on my commute to and from work if things go well. Otherwise, if I'm settling in for a Serious Writing Session, I'm in my study, surrounded by books, at my desk. If I'm just going to edit and tweak, I'm snuggled down on the beanbag in the lounge room while life goes on around me. Usually writing happens on my commute or late at night. I usually aim to write on the weekends, but I don't always succeed!

 
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