Lets get back to writing…
September 21, 2016 | 
Author Writing Wednesday
On Wednesday’s I like to share information I picked up on my path to publishing, marketing and preparing to publish again. Information that I wish someone would have shared with me, back then.
Writing Spaces, Routines and Rituals
When writing my first book I used a PC. We kept that computer in one of our extra bedrooms. Back then I had a writing schedule and I didn’t have any trouble sticking with it. I would get up an hour earlier each morning, make a cup of tea and I would sit down and write for an hour before going to work. I would spend another hour, writing at night. If there were no family events to attend, Saturdays were dedicated to writing.
Since then a few things have changed. I now have a dedicated office space. My office has plenty of space to spread out and a nice view. It’s funny, I rarely use it. Why would I when I can use my laptop, notebook, IPad or phone to write anywhere.
You would think with all of these choices I would have no trouble meeting writing goals. None of us had any idea what a time sucker social media would turn out to be, did we? It definitely requires a plan and discipline.
With a third book coming out later this fall, a fourth book to finish, a business and a large family, this year I need to get serious about getting back to scheduling dedicated writing time and sticking with the schedule.
It’s time to dust my office. Better yet I think restyling my space might provide some inspiration. It’s time to revive my writing playlist and stop sitting on my sofa thinking I can watch a movie and concentrate on grammar at the same time.
How about you? Do you have a dedicated space for writing? Do you have any writing rituals? I listen to music, drink tea or wine depending on the hour and my favorite writing snacks are chocolate (of course,) candy corn this time of year, cheese and crackers or veggies and dip. If I find myself not able to concentrate I play a couple of levels of Scrabble Blast, the only online game I play.
I would love to hear any secrets or suggestions you may have to sticking with your writing or blog schedule.
Happy Writing,
Doreen
Posted in Doreen McGettigan, Writing Wednesday | 
Tags: #WednesdayWisdom, #writingspaces, #WritingWednesday
I too have an office and when I want to really get down to business that’s where I work, but I often work at the kitchen island but then the problem’s the snacks that are too close at hand and readily available!
Those snacks are too close! I try to have a little something with me when I sit down to avoid over doing it.
I have a studio/office room upstairs and never use it. I write at the kitchen table. I enjoy the view and the breeze when there is one. I don’t have a set schedule, though I really should, but I find it harder to write when I feel pressured to write. Granted I’m putting the pressure on myself, but still.
b
That is the curse of working from home, putting the pressure on ourselves that sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t.
I’ve had an office for years. I find the more time I have to write, the more I waste! With less time, I get more done. Go figure.
Oh Janie I am the same way. I always write better under pressure.
My favorite place to work is at my kitchen table or on the couch, which is why the room that was supposed to be my office turned into a junk room. Now that we’ve cleaned it out, we’re going to have to figure out what to do with it because I’d still rather work at my kitchen table!
I think my office has become the junk room too.
hm. I really do not have a schedule, I just sit down and write when I have something to share or say. I do have a scheduler for all my social media though…it is just too much to keep up with without a scheduler.
It is a lot to keep up with!
I was just thinking that I need to clean up my space. My brain just doesn’t work in all the clutter.
My brain doesn’t like clutter either. I need to clean up!
I’m the same – I have a lovely office space (spare room now we have more of them in the empty nest) and yet I spend most of my time on my laptop on the dining room table – enjoying the view and spending the evenings with my husband (on his laptop!) I think having a dedicated spot would definitely make you more productive in the long run.
I love it when my husband and I are both working in the same room.