How to Write a Novel Part 3: The Workspace
Noise can be a distraction at inopportune moments, for instance when you've almost nailed down the resolution to that plot point that's been nagging you, you've just noticed a gaping plot hole, or you're just about to place the black jack on the red queen. Any little break in concentration and you could lose your train of thought--or that game of FreeCell--and have to start over from scratch.
For most writers a noise free environment is essential.
Here are some locations you might want to avoid:
1. Airport
2. Heavy Traffic
3. Nickleback Concert -- as if you need another reason to avoid these.
Of course some writers thrive on noise and nothing distracts them--not screaming kids, gunfire, Bobcat Goldthwait--nothing.
These people are freaks and will probably never amount to anything, but their crappy manuscripts can clog an editor's in-basket and hide your masterpiece.
Ideally you should have your own office, somewhere you won't be disturbed while youplay Grand Theft Auto work on your masterpiece. A nice quiet room where you can hide from your wife create without distraction can be essential to your "process."
Some of the things you might find useful here are:
1. Desk
2. Computer or laptop (An abacus just won't cut it--I speak from experience)
3. Comfy chair
4. Mini bar
5. PS4 (Xbox will do in a pinch)
6. The complete series of Firefly, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and random episodes of Doctor Who
7. Contact info for Pizza/Chinese/Thai/Sushi takeout. (I recommend Luigi's Royal Thai Dim Sum Emporium)
Some people prefer to write to music, a sort of sound track to their work, and while music can greatly enhance your creativity some can creatively lobotomize you—like Yanni, for instance, or the afore mentioned Nickleback.
Confirmation Question"
Your workspace should be a distraction-free as possible.
True/False
Answer: True—unless you're Helen Keller, in which case it may not matter. Sure, maybe you can write with SLAYER turned up to eleven while the kids are juggling chainsaws and the dog humps your leg, but most people can't.
For most writers a noise free environment is essential.
Here are some locations you might want to avoid:
1. Airport
2. Heavy Traffic
3. Nickleback Concert -- as if you need another reason to avoid these.
Of course some writers thrive on noise and nothing distracts them--not screaming kids, gunfire, Bobcat Goldthwait--nothing.
These people are freaks and will probably never amount to anything, but their crappy manuscripts can clog an editor's in-basket and hide your masterpiece.
Ideally you should have your own office, somewhere you won't be disturbed while you
Some of the things you might find useful here are:
1. Desk
2. Computer or laptop (An abacus just won't cut it--I speak from experience)
3. Comfy chair
4. Mini bar
5. PS4 (Xbox will do in a pinch)
6. The complete series of Firefly, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and random episodes of Doctor Who
7. Contact info for Pizza/Chinese/Thai/Sushi takeout. (I recommend Luigi's Royal Thai Dim Sum Emporium)
Some people prefer to write to music, a sort of sound track to their work, and while music can greatly enhance your creativity some can creatively lobotomize you—like Yanni, for instance, or the afore mentioned Nickleback.
Confirmation Question"
Your workspace should be a distraction-free as possible.
True/False
Answer: True—unless you're Helen Keller, in which case it may not matter. Sure, maybe you can write with SLAYER turned up to eleven while the kids are juggling chainsaws and the dog humps your leg, but most people can't.
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