Guest post by Michael
Your environment can have a massive influence on the work you create as a writer. Although general wisdom dictates that writers should minimize distractions in order to maximize productivity and quality, the relationship between your environment and your writing is more complicated.
It’s important to consider every aspect of your environment, including sound, lighting, decoration, time of day and location, in order to create an inspirational writing environment.
Location
Professional writers usually work from one of two locations: their home or an office. Individuals who work from home have the luxury of choosing a work environment that best suits their preferences. If you prefer a more rigid, focused writing environment, it may be best to set up a home office removed from the other living areas of your home.
Some individuals have difficulty writing in a space, such as their living room or bedroom, normally reserved for non-work activities. A quiet library or coffee shop may provide a necessary change of scenery. If you write on a laptop, you may consider working outdoors when weather permits. Writing in a peaceful outdoor environment can provide natural inspiration.
Sound
Most writers find that eliminating noise from their writing environment helps to facilitate focus. If you find that a completely quiet environment makes writing more difficult, consider adding some white noise with a low-powered fan, or open a window to let in the sounds of nature.
Alternatively, you might try playing some soft instrumental music. Many writers find it distracting to listen to lyrically-driven music while working.
Lighting
High-wattage fluorescent lamps make for a well-lit environment that may be distracting for some writers. Try turning off overhead lights and instead using shaded lamps to light your writing space. Natural light is usually preferable to artificial light, so pull back the blinds and see how bright your environment can become naturally before turning on electric lights.
Time of Day
Many writers don’t have the luxury of choosing the time of day in which they’ll write. If you do, try to match your writing schedule to the times of day when you’re most alert and focused. For some individuals, this can be the hours immediately after waking up. Other writers prefer to work in the evening, when their neighborhood is quieter.
Decoration
Some writers prefer a sparse, starkly decorated writing room while others enjoy busier decoration and more visual stimuli. Whichever type of environment you prefer for relaxation is probably the type that you’ll prefer for writing.
Very few writers enjoy work in a room that is overly cluttered or disorganized. If you do work from home, signs of impending chores such as dirty dishes, unkept floors and laundry can provide significant distractions.
A room that is too sparse can be depressing for some individuals. Try hanging some paintings or posters that you enjoy. Ensure that your furniture is functional, and have at least two different places to sit while you write.
Matching Your Environment to Your Content
Many writers change their environment to suit the content they’re currently writing. If you’re writing a horror novel, the best environment may be a candlelit room, late at night, with classical music droning in the background.
Alternatively, the completion of a technical document may call for a brightly lit room with as few distractions as possible.
By keeping your writing environment flexible, you can receive the inspiration you need for any type of content.
So how do you surround yourself with writing inspiration? Which of these styles mentioned above best suites your writing tastes?
Michael Cash is an expert at link building and in his free time loves to explore new information on the internet.
About Guest Author
I definitely agree. You need a pace where you can assimilate things and get some new ideas when your surrounding is inspirational and cool.
I agree with your views. It is very necessary to consider every aspect of your environment, comprising sound, lighting, decoration, time of day and location, so that you can create an motivational writing environment.
Hi Michael. Great post! I like a sunny room overlooking the garden – enhances my karma for the challenge at hand.
Will retweet to our followers.
All the best.
Adam
Sometimes I like to write in complete silence, but when there are distracting sounds that can’t be avoided (and usually there are), such as other people talking, I’ll turn on some music with earbuds and drown it out. I agree that music with lyrics can be distracting, and I only listen to that if I want to stare at my computer screen in a daze and not get anything done. ;) I prefer to listen to ambient music, or instrumental electronica or Latin, depending on my mood and what I’m writing about.
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Hello Michael,
I think that everyone has it’s own quirks when it comes to getting inspired to write their content.
So, some might get their inspiration when walking the busy streets of the city or some might be able to produce better content when they are sitting quietly in their room.
And considering all this types I think that everyone should try to visit many different environments that suit them. So those that prefer quite places should visit, restaurants, not so trafficked parks, quite streets while people who like loud places can visit busy marketplaces, subway stations, crowded streets etc.
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Matching your surroundings to whatever you are writing is very critical, in some aspect. Sometimes it will benefit you and give you more ideas, as your mind set is aware of the surroundings, but other times I think if you are at a very soothing place, it can be a distraction at times.
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Well i think new things on morning having with a cup of coffee.
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It’s pretty difficult to achieve inspiration. In my case, I need everything to be tidy, and I need to be alone in the room. An even then I have to focus on my subject, before starting to write.
I know that this can be strange, but this is pretty much my routine.
Sorry but I think I should have been more specific about what the other members are commenting about expressing ourselves trough writing in ‘noisy or distracting’ places..
As I said, the things I did mention that can motivate me at some point have to have meaning for—or like to—me.
An example with the Web Site again, is this; one website can be cluttered—hey! not so much ok—compared with other that can be ‘lite’—which I prefer—yet both with great quality reading content, that appearances are not going to make a meaningful difference—but the essence or content does.
I simply, ignore the too many ads, ad-on’s and the likes—in the cluttered one—and go directly to the content.
If something is more meaningful for us—at the moment—than that so called noise—maybe we are misguide by the interpretation or judgment of others, or a common belief—then we produce under that circumstance because we are in control, connected to that essence with a burning desire or passion.
So connected that other let us our space and time to express ourselves or produce.
There are some of great writers under persecution, jailed even tortured as examples.
Now your turn.
Regards
Very true Michael. When ever there is writers block. I take time to enjoy the lovely scenery. The sunset to me is always inspiring.
My work spot is located in such a spot that I can always see the sun set.
Hi Michael,
Let me give my 2 cents now we are here. I think it is a good technique—also—to watch out for the blogs you like—like this one.
What thing inspire you—the people, conservative or more liberal, the colors, if busy and cluttered with stuff or more spacious or oriented to content and essence, and what content, shining or more soft themes, background music play when reading… you name it— of that blog that make you even comment.
If that blogs helps and inspire you to read and comment—like me here—certainly does to writes your posts. So look for same kind scenarios around your environment first, then how you relate, harmonize and flow with that thing you like—and don’t distract—your innovative writings.
Also, you can review your past experience were you were more creative at that and the circumstances—included the books that you were reading at the moment, people, challenges,.. Well lets other give us their 2 cents.
Regard
Hi, Michael. Thanks for having Kiesha here.
You have great stuff here, Kiesha. It is not often that we see articles such as these, focusing on getting inspiration from the environment. And I do agree with you on these on all levels. When I find myself facing writer’s block, I get up from my desk and take a walk as a breather. I also can’t work in a cluttered space, so I make sure that my desk and office is neat and organised at all times. With everything in its place, I can work better and produce better articles. Thanks for the post! ;)
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Hi Wes,
This was actually a guest post written by Michael. I’m glad you enjoyed it though.
I, too get my best ideas when I’m not at the computer, especially when I’m taking a walk or even driving (which is dangerous because I suddenly want to jot down my ideas). I’ve gotten used to that, that’s why I use my cell phone’s voice record to capture my ideas.
My apologies, Kiesha and Michael. I mixed up your names here. It wasn’t only when I hit the submit button when I realised my mistake. :D Won’t happen next time. ;)
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Hi Kiesha,
Good post, the picture above sure is inspiring to write out doors especially now that spring is coming.
I like to write with non lyrical music in the background and sometimes I like it to be just quiet. It all depends on what I will be writing about.
Terry Conti
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It seems that the clue to good writing then is to find the best environment that is suited for you. Everyone is different, what one considers a good environment another may find annoying.
Probably the best way to find out the most productive and inspirational place for writing is to just go out and explore trying different locations until you hit on the right one. The exploration process itself may be a great source for inspiration.
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Great article!
I agree with the ideas listed above…I just wish I could apply most of them.
Typically, I force myself to write in the mornings to maintain a regular schedule. Yet, when inspiration strikes I might write anytime during on my “break”.
I prefer to write in a noisy cafe or in a public area to get the writing juices flowing. Writing with complete quiet tends to be distracting for me. It only works during late evenings when I’m in a particularly inspirational mood.
It may sound strange but the only thing I need to write is inspiration – it doesn’t matter when and where – I can create everywhere even with the kids crying and TV on.
But just now I remembered that i should have my working place in the perfect order – no rubbish, no empty bottles or cans on my desk.
Hi Kiesha,
I have always had a problem getting distracted, no matter where I was. Maybe I was waiting for the axe to fall. :) In my later years, I developed a focus that allows me to write wherever I am (except while driving, of course) I guess I decided it didn’t matter whether the distractions were out there or inside myself, I had to do what I had to do. Usually, I write sitting in my recliner watching the TV. Works for me.
Lou
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Good advice–It’s nice to know I’m not alone in some of the tactics I use. I’m a lot better at managing the music I listen to than the clutter on my desk. Soft classical music encourages the flow of my thoughts, but sometimes I listen to something with lyrics if it reflects the atmosphere I’m trying to write (country music for rural settings, for example).
Good read. When I think back on when i write it seems to be at 3am in my living room with all lights off, gf in bed, dog sleeping, tv, music off.
This is pretty basic knowledge that you would think would be assumed but obviously it isn’t because some days i sit in front of a computer for hours trying to write and i type two words.
now i know to do something else unless it is 3am ;-)
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I can work pretty much everywhere as long as I don’t need to talk to anyone. If I’m working in a coffee shop I tell the server not to disturb me – not to even come refill my cup.
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Hi Keisha,
Some nice tips here! I really like the idea of writing in a room that recreates the atmosphere you’re seeking to create. Though this could cause problems for certain genres. For instance – someone attempting a sequel to Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas could find themselves in dire straits. : )
Thanks!
Pete
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Hi Michael,
This is a great piece of article! I can relate to many preferences of mine when I read this post.
For me the time of the day and the noise level normally resonate. Since I prefer a quite, distraction-free environment, I naturally prefer late hours when the family and the city is asleep.
Jane.
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