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.
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.
thats a beautiful picture. i hope it rains soon in L.A!-Brandi
ReplyDeleteMy special place to write?
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm? 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteThe gloomy, smoke-filled cafe might be a far more romantic image, but if a local subway sandwich shop works for you...
ReplyDeleteIt´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! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad it's workin' for ya, Veronique!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. There are some set ups, time and space combination where your creative soul is aroused.
ReplyDeleteI 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..
This is a wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteRight 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!
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.
ReplyDeleteAnd I still love the above picturel