Muse and Mischief

Where I write is an important aspect to my process. It has to have the right feel or vibe to get me into that familiar yet coy rhythm. You would be surprised how often a place doesn’t work because the vibes are off. My wife and I have a running inside joke about doing things based on vibes, of which is mostly me. She would probably roll her eyes on this one. 

But it’s true. As a writer, vibes play an important role in my writing process whether it is choosing where to write or what to write. I have a list of 73 ideas waiting to be written, but I am not working from the top down. Instead, I hopscotch from one to the other, which makes planning my projects very interesting. The feeling must be there to tell me that now is that idea’s time. 

So here are my three favorite places to write. 

Why Home Works for Me

There really is no place like home. It’s safe, comfortable, and familiar. Even then I can’t write just anywhere in my house. It needs to be in my office area. It really is my home base, and it looks like it too. Much to my wife’s chagrin, I tend to be a little bit of a clutter monster. I like to call it organized chaos. Everything is everywhere, but I know where everything is. My wife is still shocked that I can get into any sort of rhythm with so much mess around me. But it works for me in this instance. I wrote 95% of my first novel here so there’s an energy to it. 

Café Energy at Bakery Lorraine

This is one of three locations in San Antonio and is a great place to grab a latte and something to eat. Richness fills the air as pastries bake in the kitchen while my latte steams on the table next to me. I joined a weekly writing group here two years ago and usually can make it every other time. Even when it gets busy here the noise blends into the background and writing still feels doable. Plus, lattes. I’ve had quite a few flowy sessions here, so it definitely has something working for it. I’ve come here a couple times during the week on my lunchbreak to get some writing in and it has always been nice and quiet. 

Writing Among the Stacks

One of my local libraries is a new one to the list. One day I didn’t have time to make it out to Bakery Lorraine, but still wanted to get out of the house, so I gave it a shot. One thing I really enjoyed about being there was the sense of history in it. I was writing amongst the product of so many authors before me. The scent of old pages with its musty warmth really helped me find my rhythm. I got some decent work in so I have been back a couple times since. Surprisingly, the times I have gone it was louder than the Bakery. I guess the whole being quiet in the library thing has passed us by. 

Where to Now?

I am always on the lookout for another place to write. I think environment really plays a factor in getting into that state of flow where I just absorb into the act of writing and the rest of the world seems to melt away. I love that feeling. There are so many ways to find it too. Reading, painting, drawing, or even gaming all have the potential to bring us there. 

So how about you? Where do you find it easiest to write or create?