Favorite Place to Write
A friend recently asked me where my favorite place to write was. My first response was that it all depended on the weather, which prompted the question-why did it matter?
When it is a beautiful and sunny day I love to sit on my back patio and write in my notebooks. However, Central Florida on the west coast can be fickle when it comes to weather. It can unbearably hot during the summer and during the winter months it can get down into the 30’s, and 40’s. So, when it’s summer, the morning is a great time to write. In the winter months when it’s in the mid 70’s and no humidity, being outside when it’s just a gorgeous, my patio is a great place to create stories or brainstorm new ideas.
It's peaceful and easy to get lost in thought sitting in the sun on my patio. I’m lucky that it overlooks bird island. The Osprey’s and Hawks soar in the air, such a beautiful sight to behold. On colder days sitting with my coffee steaming, it’s incredible to watch the birds glide on the thermal currents found in the air. In the late afternoon, Ibis, Heron’s, and Anhinga’s settle into the trees and brush on the island. Occasionally, I will see the big papa gator floating around in the water and if it’s very cold, the gators will sun themselves on the banks closest to the water. I love to watch the Sand Cranes walk through the yard; they are so elegant in their slow methodical movements. Unlike most birds, their calls to their family members can be a bit jarring at first. Sand Cranes remind me of giraffes with their long necks and legs and their graceful walk. I found that watching the different movements of birds and other animals helped me with writing descriptions of characters and how they moved or even interacted with each other.
When I’m not writing on the patio, I like to write in my living room with my feet up, while having music in the background as a kind of white noise. Lord of the Rings Shire music has been my go- to lately, typically I like soft acoustic guitar music. It’s cozy and comforting, it can take you to all sorts of places. Musical tone connects to so many different moods, colors, and settings. It’s inspirational.
Since I live near the Gulf, I always thought the beach would be such a perfect place to write. It wasn’t. Too many people, too busy, and too loud. People watching was terrific and lots of fun, but I didn’t get much writing done.
In the new year, I am attempting to be more structured by keeping consistent days open to write. Anything I read about writing says to write daily, be consistent because it will help you get better and be more productive. I understand the productive aspect, but would definitely argue how It will make one’s writing better. There is no guarantee on that aspect. Besides, like any plans that are made, life will many times get in the way. On a positive note, I have been able to squirrel away a few hours several days a week and it’s gratifying to have a plan in place; even if it gets trashed more often than not.
I hope that your new year is filled with many opportunities to write and to read. Also, the time to create what brings you joy. Those moments are precious and few in this fast-tracked world in which we live.
Cheers to the storyteller in all of us!