Right now I write at home…well, these days it’s still like a construction site, but we’re slowly making room for a new desk to go into the office. I’m looking forward to this because I am eager to complete the work around the house and for my writing life to get back to normal, along with having a daily routine! My routine when I have an office at home is lovely and I enjoy having the luxury of being at home, and multi-tasking (laundry, groceries, construction workers, etc.). While each day is different and some are better than other’s, I think that I have the ability to get my work done, even while I’m still in my pajamas. It make me feel like I’ve accomplished something, so by the time my husband gets home from work, we both can have a nice relaxing evening together, and with our cat.
On the flip side, I’ve thought about getting an office, someplace where I would have to actually “go” to work, even when I don’t want to. I would work all day at work and I wouldn’t have any distractions. If I had writer’s block, then I would have it and I’d it there until either something clicked or it was time to go home and start dinner. (Though events like this happen when I’m folding laundry, making lunch or cleaning the kitchen).
As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages of both choices:
POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES OF WRITING AT HOME:
- I’d be multi-tasking with laundry, dishes, groceries and other chores that need to get done
- I’d be able to stay home on the rainy days (I do not like driving in rainstorms)
- I’d be in my own environment, and wouldn’t be pressured to work
- I’d (not) be able to have the choice of electricians, exterminators, or any other worker being able to come over at any available time
- I’d have all my writing stuff in one place, just in case I wanted to write at night
- I’d drive to work to and feel as if I have a job
- I’d not be able to get out of bed and just write
- I’d be able to escape the day-to-day distractions
- When I want to write at night, everything wouldn’t be there
- I wouldn’t be in “the zone!”
I have another job, so unfortunately I have to go to work, however I’ve dreamed and planned what I’d do when the option to only write as my job becomes a reality.
I plan to go to my favorite coffee shop and write there until it’s time to return home. I currently do that on the weekend (2-4 hours). I listen to music when I write, so I don’t need complete silence and it’s also connected to a book store which is an added bonus.
There will be days of flexibility for working at home and doing chores,etc however I plan to limit them.
Creating an office environment in your home is another option. Some writers sit at their desks for set hours as they would at a regular job. Good luck finding the one that works for you.
Thanks, Elke!
I work in my Writer’s Cave (studio apartment) and it’s THE best environment for me; though, when I can afford to hang out at a coffee shop again (and, I find a decent one), I’d love to take writing/socializing breaks from the Cave…
Thanks, Alexander!
I do work during the week, so I have to catch my writing time at home when I can. But I do sometimes do editing work on a hard copy while sitting in a coffee shop and plan tomorrow to take my entire laptop down and actually sit and drink coffee and type. It’s not the quiet sanctuary of my dining room, but I like having fabulous coffee on tap! (See my post on this subject – http://suziclements.com/2011/06/01/starbucks-and-writing/ – as it’s a similar vein to yours!)
If I was writing all day, every day, though, I would definitely want somewhere else to go. I would have my laptop bag with my books and external HDD in so I can take it to the office, then bring it home again in case I wanted to write one evening or weekend. But I really feel as though the act of going out to write somewhere would be much more beneficial. I suppose it would put me in the “work” frame of mind, whereas if I was at home I would be thinking about all the other things I had to do – washing up, washing, tidying, vaccuming – and it would be harder to switch off in the evenings.
Ultimately, I suppose you have to do what helps you to write. For me, I really think it’s a different environment than home. If only I had to make such a decision! Sadly, though, my “real” job still takes most of my time!
Thanks for your comment! 🙂