Your Environment

When you’re writing do you get to a point in a story where you just don’t feel like writing? Perhaps you don’t know where you want to take the story or maybe you just want to go take a nap because something is off. I’m sure it’s happened to you. When I get into those situations I recall something my mentor Quinn told me years ago; pay attention to your environment. It’s more important and there’s more going on in it than you know.

I have specific needs when I’m writing. The simple things like, in the early morning, a cup of coffee or a glass of Red Bull. In the afternoon it may be iced tea or soda. However, when I’m really stuck I’ve taken to sitting back and looking at my desk. I have specific needs before I can write. My desk MUST be clean. I don’t mean empty. I have computer speakers on my desk, a printer and some wipes for my glasses. I mean clean. I cannot have smudges on my glass desktop. It has to be clean. I also need music in the background.

I know, I know, many of you are laughing or saying to yourselves, “Ugh! I couldn’t possibly work with music playing.” That’s fine. Everyone is different. When I’m writing an action scene I find it helps to have active music playing softly in the background. If I’m developing a quiet scene, something like Enya or the Moody Blues helps me get the tone right. I cannot work without music.

But this points out what I look for. If I can’t work there’s usually something that’s preventing me from doing so in my environment. When I correct whatever it is, the words again flow. Here’s a suggestion. The next time you’re blocked just sit back and look at the environment around you. What’s in it that you don’t like? Take the time to correct whatever it is then go back to writing. Think of it this way. When you go to the movies or are reading a good book and someone talks to you it takes away from your concentration. Your writing environment is very much the same. You may not even be aware of it because most of us don’t pay that much attention to our surroundings. But it’s true. On some level we can’t work, we can’t concentrate. Once the obstacle is removed the words again flow.

Give it a try.