Where Does a Writer Write? by Wendy H. Jones
I have had a great time today as I have been on a day trip to York. This was a round trip of nine hours by train and I loved every minute of it. With my trusty laptop in hand I was able to spend several uninterrupted hours writing. This got me thinking about where do writers actually write and what might be the most unusual place any writer has spent time writing?
Today I wrote in number of places the train being one of them. I also wrote at the station in a cafe, whilst listening to a steel band. Now I'm not sure if I should actually admit to this in a blog, but I actually quickly whipped out a piece of paper and pen and wrote something down whilst in the toilet on the train. One confession too many maybe.
The train gave me many different thoughts and scenarios for future books. This meant I had to interrupt writing my current WIP in order to jot down the ideas for the future. All great stuff though. As I write murder mysteries I will leave it up to you to decide what I have in mind.
I spent a pleasant half hour mulling over the most unusual place I had ever written. In the end it came down to a mud hut, in a Nepalese Jungle, in the middle of a hurricane, by the light of a candle. I thought that couldn't be beaten. I was proved wrong on my return to Dundee. Walking from the station to my car I passed a young woman who was begging. It was 10 pm, freezing cold and dark. Whilst I, and possibly most others, were thinking only of a warm house and bed, she was sitting on the pavement, under a blanket, writing as though her life depended on it.
I think this demonstrates the true nature of a writer. That compulsion to write no matter what. I drove home excited at the prospect of getting all this down in writing.
My question to you is, Where is the most unusual place you have been felt compelled to write? Please share in the comments. I am looking forward to hearing the answers.
Comments
I find that sometimes writing in a different place, or in different circumstances, can spark creativity, even though I'm normally a creature of habit. If I'm stuck, I often try moving my laptop to another place, or taking a notebook and going out somewhere. Sometimes it works!