The Perfect Writing Spot...


We all have preferred places to do our writing—places that make us feel comfortable, creative, and inspired. I know I do.

If you’ve followed this blog, you know that I get quite a bit of writing done at cool all-night diners, funky coffee houses, posh hotel lounges, the beach, middle-of-nowhere roadside rest stops, and even cruise ships. Just a yellow legal pad and pen, a cozy, relatively quiet spot to work, perhaps a nice view and a beverage of some sort, and I’m a truly happy fella.

Earlier today—while sweating through another 95 degree day in sunny L.A.—I got to thinking about perfect writing spots and happily recalled one of my all-time favorites. It was early last December at a Starbucks in New York City. There was nothing overly interesting or special about this particular Starbucks—I only went there because it was a couple blocks from my hotel.

Anyway...during that week last December, the city was experiencing some truly great fall weather: chilly, breezy, overcast days; not really raining, but everything was wet. As far as I’m concerned, that’s sheer perfection in the ol’ weather department. (Don’t ask me why I live in L.A. Just don’t.)

So, one drizzly late-afternoon I’m sitting in this Starbucks, cozily ensconced at a table near the window, a half-written script in front of me, people chatting happily all around me, the delightful music from A Charlie Brown Christmas wafting from the store’s sound system, and there’s this content little smile on my face. “Ahh”, I thought, “this is what it’s all about.” Then, as I do with all special moments in my life, I paused for a few seconds to really let it sink in. I even took a photo from where I sat (see above). Then I buckled down and cranked out a bunch more pages.

Now, this is the fab part about being a writer: you can do it just about anywhere. If you’re lucky—and my apologies for getting just a tad bit sappy here—you can find places in our world that have meaning and value to your inner being.

So do yourself a favor once in a while and find that perfect writing spot. Not only will you be doing an awful lot of good for your head, you’ll be doing a lot of good for your heart. For a writer, that can be a very good thing.

9 comments:

Peace, Love and Theatre said...

thats a beautiful picture. i hope it rains soon in L.A!-Brandi

Anonymous said...

My special place to write?
Hmmmmm? I would say in my computer room where I have 25 monitors showing 15 screenplay blogs,forums
and 10 top screenplay contest sites. When I am on top of it.
I feel inspired. I will not miss the boat. So computer room is where I find Peace and Inspiration.

JBC said...

Great images. I wrote a blog about this a few weeks ago. While I would like to say that my favorite writing spot is some gloomy, smoke filled cafe the reality is that I write much better at a local franchise sub sandwich shop. I have no idea why.

Jim Vines said...

The gloomy, smoke-filled cafe might be a far more romantic image, but if a local subway sandwich shop works for you...

veronique said...

It´s a really nice place, Jim. And if you even hear the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas then look at this picture taken at Starbucks... It´s perfect and works for me! :)

Jim Vines said...

Glad it's workin' for ya, Veronique!

Saurabh said...

I completely agree with you. There are some set ups, time and space combination where your creative soul is aroused.
I once found that space while riding from NY to DC in a summer time, perfect morning. Most of the time, I write at nights but content comes in my mind when I am at these perfect places..

The Kid In The Front Row said...

This is a wonderful post.

Right now, what's working for me, is walking around NY for hours at night, and then coming back to my room in Park Slope -- but indeed, I do feel the perfect coffee house is needed for a writing session very soon.

Great blog, keep it up!

Margaret Fleming said...

You were realy kind and encouraging at Starbucks many months ago. Today I got a chance to thank you publicly--see my answer on Facebook to Nathan Bransford's question on inspirations.

And I still love the above picturel