ARCHIVES: Where Do You Write?

I've been pondering this question as I shift my writing location. I do this every winter. My primary spot
is my office, a little cubbyhole on the north side of the house. In the
summer, it's glorious, with a view of lilac bushes and a beautiful old
California oak. There's even a kestrel house on a pole, although in all
the years since my husband put it up, it has not attracted a resident.
Shaded as it is, and far from a heater vent, it's chilly in the winter.
We've looked at increasing the insulation of the window (double-paned
glass) and the possibility of a small space heater. In the end, though,
my usual solution is to follow the example of birds -- and migrate to a
warmer clime.




The warmer clime is just across the house. A sunny, south-facing bay
window overlooks our garden. It's equipped with a cushy recliner and a
bookshelf (upon which sit two cat baskets) with space for reference
books, writing journals, and a CD player. The cats know this is a Good
Place. I take my netbook there, or a hardcopy manuscript, and curl up in
the sun. I also appreciate being able to shift my position -- first,
sitting
cross-legged, then reclining the chair and propping the netbook or
clipboard on my legs. (And yes, I've been known to tilt the chair even
further back and take a nap!)


I have trained myself not to noodle on the Internet on my netbook unless
I'm traveling. That hasn't been hard, since the little
excuse-for-a-mouse-pad is sufficiently awkward to sue. The habit helps
minimize the distractions I face while at my desk/desktop. Winter
inevitably means less time on the 'webs, or rather, more
efficiently-spent time.



The major drawback of the setup is how hard it is to spring out of the
chair at a moment's notice (as when the phone rings or the cats have
abandoned their sun baths and are up to something naughty). I always go
through this mad scramble to upright the chair and find a safe place to
put the netbook down. I always think, I should bring the portable phone
with me, but then I forget. It's probably just as well, as these
occasions inspire me to break up my work sessions with bursts of
acrobatic physical activity.



Now it's your turn. Where do you write, and why? What works for you? What poses a problem?