Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Stuff I Need in Order to Write


This week’s topic for the Random Wednesday bloggers is “What I Need to Write.” The answer is…not that much.



For instance, I need:

My computer. I *can* write longhand, but I compose more quickly on my laptop, so that’s a must have.

A seat along a wall. I have a very difficult time working if there are people walking behind me. Even if they’re not looking at my screen, I can’t stand having people behind me. It’s one of the reasons I have trouble writing in coffee shops. 

A comfy chair or couch. I admire people who can sit in a straight back chair at a table and work for hours. But I can’t. If I’m not comfortable, I can’t focus.

Something to drink. Depending on the time of day, it’s either coffee, tea or water.

My headphones. Sometimes, I listen to music while I write, but more often than that, it’s a visual cue to the people around me that I’m working and now is not the time to tell me about MineCraft, TF2 or any other video game.

To get out of my own way. By that, I mean that I need to just relax and trust the story rather than obsess and worry like the freak of the week. Sometimes, I’m pretty good at this, and other times sedation seems like a viable option. I’m sure it seems like a really good option for my friends who have to put up with my obsessing. 

An idea of where the book is going. I don’t need a full blown plot. I probably wouldn’t know what to do with one if I had one. But I do need an idea of where the book is going. Just a few major plot points. And the end. I really need to know the end so I can aim in that direction.

And that’s pretty much it. Well, a cat or three is often helpful...



I’m kind boring. 

Check out what the other RW bloggers need to write by clicking on their names. I know I’m curious.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

LOL you are not boring. Or, maybe you are and so am I. :)

Anonymous said...

LOL you are not boring. Or, maybe you are and so am I. :)

Jenny Trout said...

The wall thing! I never need that at home, but out and about I have to be sitting with a wall behind me.

Jess Jarman said...

LOL I am fine writing at a coffee shop or whatever but I do not like people walking behind me. Like the last time, this young man who kept walking behind me to go to the bathroom. Sorry, little man, I don't care how much coffee you've had; you do not need to pee like 7 times in the last hour. And yes, I am writing about sex. Shocking.

And you are not boring. Not even a little. :)

Gwendolyn Cease said...

I'm with you Bron, I need to get out of my own way too. I think that's part of the problem. I obsess about what I'm writing so much that I often can't write. And you will never be boring.

Simone Anderson said...

The wall thing for me too. Nope, not boring. Although, I find havingr to rewrite what the cats are trying to insert into the story either humorous or frustrating. Typing through fur is very difficult when they decide to sleep on the key board.

Kris Norris said...

Don't you just love when cats try to 'help'. Not. Pepper just likes to sit on my little lap desk thing and get in the way. But they are cute.

And a wall, huh. I like it for other things, but I can write just about anywhere.