WHERE DO YOU DO YOUR WRITING?

I do all my serious writing at my desktop computer as I like my 23" monitor and a regular sized keyboard... I type, on average, 130 wpm when I really get rolling, and I just can't get my speed up with my laptop and netbook. Since I never look at the keys when I'm typing, I can see 'the big picture' immediately, which I really like; unfortunately, I can also see any glaring typos, so I'm going to have to work at squelching my inner editor. I also like to sit in a proper computer chair... I have chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia and find that I need to have my body aligned properly to lessen the pain.

Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self.

I bought my laptop so I could write anywhere in the house--in fact, I purchased it to write my first NaNo. I follow the sun around the house, trying to be in the room with the most light at all times. This is good for my bad back, too, as it puts me in a variety of sitting and reclining positions.

I wrote my first NaNo with the laptop on the windowsill facing west--you couldn't ask for more than watching the last rays of the sun move on a November day.

In NaNos since then, I have started writing earlier in the day, which has resulted in far more coherent writing, and less sunset watching. But I've got an appropriate window for early morning, so it's all good.

Generally, in my study, with the desktop.

However, I bought a new laptop recently with the idea that I would get out of the house to write at times. Since my husband died in January, being in the house has been difficult. So, I figured taking it other places might give me a needed break.

And of course, a chance to attend a write-in or two?

Dixiegirl A Dixie Girl's Place
"May you be captured by a dozen ideas that you quickly convert to a good story."
2006: Untitled
2007: Shakedown - Winner
2008:The End of Winter - Winner

Oooh, I have fibro and RA so I know what you mean. My neck actually pops at times because I've been slumping in the stupid chair. Hmmmm, need to go shopping for a new one I believe.

Dixiegirl A Dixie Girl's Place
"May you be captured by a dozen ideas that you quickly convert to a good story."
2006: Untitled
2007: Shakedown - Winner
2008:The End of Winter - Winner

Last year was my first with a laptop. It's given me the freedom to write almost everywhere. Until I got the laptop, I wrote all first drafts longhand. It was difficult for me to switch to the keyboard just for NaNoWriMo. Not surprisingly, I think, last year I got further than ever before, almost 21,000 words.

One of my favorite places is the silent reading room of the local library. I can sit at a table or a comfy chair. There are windows overlooking beautiful buildings. Other places in the library I like are the glass-walled study rooms and a table overlooking a park.

There's a large Starbucks nearby with two chaise lounges. I love to get the one by the window where I can stretch out and put my Americano on the window sill. Like others who have commented here, I have arthritis, so comfort is high on my list of needs. This year I'm recovering from another ankle surgery, so the lounge chairs are doubly important for me to accommodate me, my Frankenstein (but comfy) big black boot and my cane, a new one in a gorgeous blue. Also, I love having the option of using my handicap placard when it's a high pain day. Oh, listen t me; I really am an old fart.

At home, it's usually on a couch that I write, like I'm doing right now.

I would love to be able to write outside when an unusually warm November day occurs, but I can't see the screen in the bright natural light.

Hope is the thing with feathers -

I do most of my *thinking* away from the computer -- waking up, going to sleep, doing dishes, watching movies, reading. It's surprising what completely irrelevant things can trigger ideas. But my writing is almost exclusively on the computer in the six foot by six foot "office" that my desk shares with a chest of drawers and a large book case.

I bought an Alphasmart 3000 several years ago, thinking that it would be nice not to be tied to the computer all the time. Hated it. Awful keyboard and tiny screen. Upgraded to the Neo -- much better keyboard, larger screen, but still hated it. I really can't work without being able to see the whole page in a readable font, so back to the computer, despite the uncomfortable chair that eventually gives me a backache. (Anybody want to buy a like-new Alphasmart?)

Another reason for sticking with the computer is the best writing program of all time -- Scrivener. I can keep my notes, outline, research, and the novel all in one file. It has split screen, floating notepad, and the most flexible full-screen mode I've ever tried. Plus a zillion other features I haven't even tried. Anybody who owns a Mac and hasn't tried Scrivener ought to give it a try.

Disclaimer: Just another writer insanely in love with Scrivener.

Whatever the words say, there's always more beneath.

My writing blog: Words on Top
http://wordsontop.blogspot.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NaNo '09 - Gift of Blood: Beginnings and Endings
NaNo '10 - Gift of Blood: Michel (tentative)

I have a really difficult time writing at home. The tv calls me, or the dishes or the laundry. So a couple years ago my son gave me his old laptop. I take it to the library or Panera Bread or the Brewery where I hang out. Good way to people watch too. Have to go places that have plug-ins cause the battery is long gone. Also, I live by myself and it just gets too lonely to sit at home and write. And, I go to my son's house over Thanksgiving, so I can take the laptop and write there.

I like the bed.
I don't always write there. It just seems too slack, but when I'm really stuck, I put a drawing board on the bed, the laptop on top of it, and sit cross legged and type.

I'm not good at writing in public places. Noise distracts me.

Winner 2005: The Tribe of Palmetto Bay
Winner 2006: The Blue Light
Winner 2007: Fido
Winner 2008: Disappearance
Winner 2009: Comp Psi

http://cookingback2reality.blogspot.com/

I usually just sit here at my desk and work on my desktop. A couple years ago, I bought a laptop, partly so I could write during lunch hours at work or on the commute there and back. Then I lost my job so I never used the laptop for that purpose.

I bought a good office chair a couple months ago, but it came disassembled. I have to put it together before Nano starts. I've been using an old kitchen chair, but that's not that comfortable. When I get up, my knees, hips, and back complain.

I've thought that I might go to Starbucks or to the library and sit there and write, just for a change of venue. And since two of my characters run a coffee bar, Starbucks would be the appropriate atmosphere. I guess I could call it research.

2005 In Back of the North Wind WINNER!
2006 Leopard's Paw WINNER!
2007 The Old Straight Track (finished) WINNER!
2008 The Other Side of the Wall (finished) WINNER!
2009 Dark Inheritance

I write in a little alcove next to my livingroom. It's relatively quiet compared to the rest of the appartment. It has a window on the south overlooking the back garden. The back wall is allways warm in winter because there are two chimneys behind it; mine and that of my neighbour. I'm easily distracted so it's a simple room. Just my desk with a desktop computer. A good adjustable chair to support my back. A few pictures on the wall that inspire me.

During last years' NaNo I also wrote in bed, first thing in the morning. Not sure what I will do this year. We'll see, I'll keep a notebook and pen nearby just in case.

2008: Lapis Lazuli (historical fiction) - WON! (57K)
2009: Vicit Vim Virtus (historical fiction)

I write at my diningroom table facing an east window after the morning sun has gotten too high to be in my face. I don't have a deskchair, but I do have a comfortable powered wheelchair that I can sit in for hours. I also write in my recliner to give my back a rest.

Seems we are always on the road going somewhere. I've tried writing in the car, but can't keep the laptop balanced, then get attacked by motion sickness. But I do take it with me and write when I'm waiting at the doctor's office, etc. I really hate it when I get on a roll and the doctor walks in and expects me to stop writing as soon as the door opens. During NaNoWriMo, she'll have to wait 'till I finish my scene!

Would love to take my laptop outside, but November is damp and cold!

God said, "Choose Life!" Inner Editor replied, "Don't say 'choose.' That's too vague. Why not say ‘engage'?" "Go 'way!" God boomed most emphatically. "Writers engaging life have no time for NaNoNoveling. I love their crap. So leave them alone, too!"

Because we have a 6 month old pug puppy who demands constant attention if I'm home, I find writing at one of our local coffee shops works best (even though I don't drink coffee! LOL). If I'm at home, the dining room table with the laptop works better than my PC on my desk because again, that durn puppy thinks she should be in my lap if I'm in the study!. So my plan is to spend a few hours each day at the coffee shop and see what I can get done. Otherwise, I may be typing more at night when she goes to bed. Just like having a toddler again! Good thing she's cute!

When I'm home, I tend to use my desktop computer--in a rather cramped corner of my bedroom with a very uncomfortable though small dining room chair. We just moved (AGAIN) in August & didn't have living room furniture (gave it all away) for the past several weeks--but this week, we got a lovely (& comfy) couch & love seat, so I guess I could l have a little variety at home--take my laptop in the living room to write.....BUT my husband's big-@ss screen TV is in there & usually tuned to something I'd rather get my teeth drilled than watch...... O_o

This past year, I've found that I am most focused & the words flow more smoothly when I write AWAY from home--so far my favorite place is Panera Bread. They are HUGELY writer-friendly as well as having lots of electrical outlets. The asst. mgr of the local one knows me by name, brags about me being a writer to other patrons when I'm not around & has stirred a few curious folks my way--giving me a perfect opportunity to talk about NaNo! (Esperanza is the BOMB! She has already made sure that I know the correct spelling of her name so that "when you get this book published, you put me on the ACKNOWLEDGMENT page!!!")

I've even taken my laptop to a few beloved locations in the foothills (off of California's famous Highway 49) to write. Next month, I'm going to try for some more outdoor spots, weather allowing.

~Mer
ML-Modesto Region, CA
Co-moderator: NaNo Rebels thread
"I'm Gonna Wave my nerd Flag High"
"Put 'em up! Put 'em uuuup!!"

ummm... Ok.... I do most of my writing in my computer room.

I should probably elaborate. I've been involved in applications development for nearly 30 years, and I have 3 main hobbies; reading, photography, and monkeying around with computers. I like to build my own, but prices have come down so much, I've picked up a couple low end boxes for considerably less than I can build one. I've also been known to buy a refurbished unit. After I get them home, I build them out for whatever I want to try next. And I'm not good at getting rid of things, so they kind of accumulate...

So, in my computer room, I have a dedicated Linux server, a dual boot Windows/Linux PC with beefed up graphics for playing Unreal Tournament and remoting into work, an older dual boot Windows/Linux box with a beefed up sound card and a Haughpage WinTV card for recording audio and video, and a recent addition whose main claim to fame is that it was incredibly cheap but now has an additional terabyte of hard drive space so I can keep all our digital pictures on-line (it also dual boots Windows and Linux). I use a device called a KVM switch (Keyboard/Video/Mouse) that allows me to use a single keyboard, mouse, and monitor for all 4 computers. They're all networked together, and tied in to the internet.

Back to the writing question. I've used them all to write with at one time or another, but I generally migrate to the newer system whenever a new one is added to the herd. They all have Open Office installed, and on the dual boot systems, I have Open Office installed under both Windows and Linux.

One of the key features to my 'system' is the keyboard. In the history of the world, only one company has ever made a keyboard I like, and that's IBM. I suppose I spent too many years working on old IBM 3270s, but I love the aural and tactile feedback I get with those old keyboards. I still use an IBM AT style keyboard with that glorious 'click' to the keys, and I have two or three more in storage in the unlikely event the one I've been using dies and I can't revive it. I don't use it because I'm a great typist. I use it because I'm a terrible typist, and I need all the help I can get.

This year I'm going to try using some speech to text software I found on sale. I've been trying it out, and I believe it 'types' better than I do, not that that's saying much.

When it comes to mice and monitors (Of Mice and Monitors – The story of two mismatched components, eking out an existence on the road, destined... ah – but I digress. Again.), I'm on the other end of the nostalgia curve. The mouse has to be optical, and the monitor has to be at least a 19 inch LCD flat panel.

I also bought a new office chair a few months ago so I could spend more time typing (with regular bio-breaks, of course) without getting terribly uncomfortable.

Finally, I also have a laptop I picked up cheap. It's primary purpose in life is to download pictures from our cameras and burn them to DVD when we are away from home, but it also runs Open Office. It went to a few write-ins last year, and sometimes I use it to write in bed when I just can't sit in a chair anymore.

The tragedy isn't that so many bad novels have been written, it's that so many good novels never were.

co-ML - Omaha, Nebraska

Right now, I'm writing in the Starbucks outlet at the Old Wing of 1 Utama shopping mall near my apartment. I live on my own in a very small apartment beneath another apartment that seems to be under renovations a lot. I work from home, but renovations are allowed during weekdays which is when most people are out at work. Well, not me. So I've been pretty upset by the noise. So I've rearranged my schedule to accommodate more time outside my apartment.

I write outside a lot, and actually have two preferred cafes where I write - the IKEA Cafe, located just down the road from my apartment (closer than 1 Utama but still requires that I drive), and Hoxe's, within walking distance.

The IKEA Cafe serves really inexpensive breakfasts (99 Malaysian cents, approximately 30 US cents) with free coffee before 9:30 a.m. So I used to go in early, have breakfast, hold on to the coffee mug (free refills allowed), and move to another table in a quieter part of the cafe.

As for Hoxe's, I used to write there in the evenings.

I don't go to IKEA as often anymore, and the opening hours at Hoxe's have been very unreliable. Actually, it's the closing hours. They close early these days!

So I'm here at Starbucks. In Malaysia, most Starbucks outlets are located inside shopping malls, where you have to pay for the parking. So far, 1 Utama shopping mall is the most affordable - 1 Malaysian dollar (called ringgit, or RM for short) for six hours, after which it's RM1 for every additional hour. IKEA, which is in its own building, offers half that time, i.e., RM1 for 3 hours, after which it's 50 sen (Malaysian cents) for every additional hour.

I reckon I'll be spending more time outside from now on, have proper "working" hours away from my apartment. Alternatively, I can go to my sister's house and use their TV room.

Chet's NaNoWriMo Experience (updated)

Mostly at home, either sitting at the dining room table or on the sofa. Sometimes at work (don't tell my boss). For Thanksgiving, we always meet up with my sister's family at a cabin in Wisconsin and I will spend a good chunk of the time there finishing up, I suspect.

Mostly at home sat on the sofa, watching tv at the same time. Needless to say, it's not very productive :-/

I do have a writing desk that sits in the bay window of our lounge overlooking the garden but it's been out of use for a while since the estate agent attempting to sell our flat 'suggested' we de-clutter. Is it my fault that a small writing desk takes up about 12ft of space when I really get stuck into writing mode?

Well sod her, I'm opening up my bay window office again, if only for November and if any wants to view the flat, hmm, I'll think about that if it happens!

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon!

I discovered the hard way that if I try to write at home, I don't. There's always something else that needs to be done (not the least of which includes taking a nap). So most of my writing occurs in coffee shops.

This is not a problem for November, since I'm one of our group's Municipal Liaisons. I simply schedule write-ins for 5 times a week each in a different part of town. There's the option for a sixth floating write-in to be determined by the local members. The remaining day of the week is dedicated to a virtual write-in via our local chat room.

At that rate, I should reach 50K by 11/20, tops.

_________________________
Samantha
Spokane, WA - Municipal Liaison (2003-2009)
Age Group: 50-Plus - Moderator

I write in my living room on my laptop. There is a window to look out to give mind a rest or I go to starbucks and write. I like to be around people once in while and sometimes people will come in that I can work into what I am writing.

I write at my desktop, which is in the living room. Living alone, there are no disturbances. The only problem is that one of my cats likes to lay between me and the keyboard. If I decide to go longhand, he'll just take over the notebook. If I had a laptop I probably wouldn't even have access to the keyboard!

Barbara/Myth Maker
http://www.roadsidegems.blogspot.com

I write in my living room, sat on the couch with the laptop on my knee. (I'm starting to get bed sores on my arse and thighs this way. I need to change it.)

Usually in the early hours of the morning. Around 5:00am, then after a couple of hours, off to work or back to bed, if I'm on late shift.

Terry K

http://terry-kidd.blogspot.com/

I write most often at home at my desk in my bedroom. I know that theoretically, a laptop means you've got the computer in your lap. I've nver found this comfortable. For one thing, my lap slopes down to the floor and I don't want my laptop to fall and break which makes it hard to concentrate on my writing. For another, especially in warm weather, I find it very uncomfortable to sit with a hot computer in my lap.

I do go to a weekly write-in with friends at a coffee shop every Thursday afternoon--this is my social life for the week. But I rarely get much writing done there, as my friends are gregarious, and of course, I want to talk to them. And for another, the place plays very loud music. I play music when I write, but I like it quieter and non-vocal and i like to choose what's playing.

When I really want to get things done, I write at home. It's quiet, comfortable, the coffee and tea are free, and I get feline input.

Melissa

You can have a sound mind in a healthy body.... Or you can be a Nanonovelist!

Nanowrimo--Eavesdrop on the Voices In Your Head

Tulum Mexico, here I come. Reservations made, tickets bought, half packed for the beach. Of course it doesn't take much to pack, a swimsuit, a couple sarongs, something to wear to dinner (when I'm not drinking it)... Here goes another Nano. I'm looking forward to it since I bashed my knee and I couldn't go last year (no not too many Pina Coladas). Cane, crutch or wheelchair, I'm going this year.

So, for 10 days the family are on their own. What am I thinking, for the whole month of November they'll be on their own. They've gotten used to it now, I think. Of course they all weren't living with me in the prior years. My nest is overflowing (renesters) right now, 8 people in 1 house. So when I get back I'll still have to find other places to write. I'll be attending (when I get back tanned and pickled) my local get-togethers, checking out local coffeeshops, whatever it takes. In the worst case scenario I'll head out to the patio.

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention that I'm in Phoenix, year round sun, just no beach. Weather here is really nice in November. I sympathize with the cold-weather writers, being from Illinois in my childhood.

There may actually come a moment in time when I actually go into my office (when not sharing it with a grandkid), but thanks to my laptop, actually my new net book, most of my writing will be done anywhere I want. I just wish all 30 days were going to be in Mexico.

So, everyone, where ever you do your writing, enjoy NANOWRIMO 2009.

Terry

This is my first NaNo! November is usually too busy for me to think about doing this, but this year Thanksgiving will be at home so it's just the one day that will be useless!
I have a computer set up in a spare bedroom where I work. I also try to get some writing done during my lunch hour at work. I find that I don't want to sit at another computer when I get home so I may experiment with taking my AlphaSmart to the library for an hour after work.

This is my first time, too, although I've been writing all my life, and even finished a novel once. I write wherever I can set up the lap top, although I prefer a proper keyboard. Right now, I'm writing on a wooden TV tray in the living room with the TV on. Oddly enough, I don't find it especially distracting. When I was a kid I did homework in the TV room with 4 younger siblings roaring around me, so really, nothing fazes me. When I'm focused, I'm really focused! But I'm thinking of clearing the sewing table (since there will be no sewing in November, obviously) and setting up over there. It's only a few feet away, but the orientation is different and the lighting is better. Worth a try.

Maggie Secara
~Every form of refuge has its price

2009: Sparrow's Dragon

Hey there, Maggie!! WELCOME!

So glad you found your way to the 50's forum! (Was thrilled to see Dre sign up for NaNo too!!) This is forum a great place to be as NaNo newbie--lots of camaraderie, great suggestions, & best of all, GOOD HUMOR! Stay tuned, 'kay?

~Mer
ML-Modesto Region, CA
Co-moderator: NaNo Rebels thread
"I'm Gonna Wave my nerd Flag High"
"Put 'em up! Put 'em uuuup!!"

This is my first NaNo, but I spend a lot of time writing non-fiction. i have found some strange places to be particularly amenable to good writing. The train from Newark to Washington DC is one of my favorites. I have written publishable stuff there. My mother's house is also good, as I need to be near her but she is usually napping, so I get a lot done out of boredom. I wrote a blog entry there last Christmas that got rave reviews. Although it was again non-fiction, it was my first attempt at humor, and succeeded. People still occasionally e-mail me that they are still laughing. I will probably go there for Thanksgiving.

At home, I have a bad habit of writing in my bed, then needing a nap, especially on those weekends that I am home. I get more done on weeknights. I go to work early so come home early, take a nap from about 5-6, when my son wakes me up for dinner (he cooks), and then have a second wind and work on my writing projects until 10 or 11. My other projects will mostly be on hold in November, so hopefully that is when I will get most of my NaNo writing done.

I have an office I built off my bedroom where I have my desktop, but seldom use it. I briefly contemplated writing the NaNo on that computer, hoping for more structure, but will probably end up on my laptop as usual. It gives me more flexibility. I briefly had a spare bedroom where I set up a nice computer desk that I was also finding to be a good work place, but it was only "spare" for 5 months between my daughter and family (including 4 kids) moving out and my son moving back in.

Barbara

Hi Barbara from Englewood! I'm on exile in Michigan, but I'm actually from Summit, NJ. I did a lot of writing on the train from Summit to NYC where my job was. Writing on a train is great!

At home I mostly write on the desktop Mac in my bedroom. I don't own a laptop, and have no desire for one. I can't stand the keyboards. For a change of scenery I'll write by hand at the dining table, where I have a good view of a large retention area behind our building. Mostly it's a big green grassy spot, but occasionally it fills with water and the local kids pull out small inflatable boats and paddle around.

Away from home I use a spiral notebook and gel pen. I write in restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, and at several locations in the local botanic garden when weather permits. I average about 250 words per side of paper, so even at write-ins I have a sense of how I'm doing. During November, when I type up the hand-written stuff I always make sure to expand it out!

“It only has to be written. It doesn’t have to be perfect.” - Elizabeth Bear

I set my laptop up (with full-sized keyboard attached) on the dining table for two reasons:

1. I have a cat who loves to sit in front of my monitor and other various methods of "helping" me when I work in my study. She's trained to stay OFF the table.

2. I do my NaNo early in the morning before my regular routine of getting ready for work, and if I'm lucky, the sun will come up while I'm writing, and I love seeing the edges of dawn creep into the outdoors; I'm facing my patio doors.

Good luck to all in finding a good space and a good rhythm. This first morning is the hardest, to me. I say that now; wait till I've had a night of bringing work home and see how chipper I am at 5:00 a.m.

2009: Raining Mercy
2008 Winner: Mourning Pages