How do I write?

Here’s one I’ve never really considered before and I’m gonna get pretty personal here. No, not on a gross or gory or lovey-dovey level, just on a what works for me.

Everyone has their own little quirks and way of doing things and writing is one of those things that has no definite fail-safe way of working. What works for one writer is not necessarily good for another.

When I write, I need to be in the zone. I have two moods when it comes to writing.

Bus writing.
Bedroom writing.

 

Bus writing.

I work two jobs to fund my addiction to fine writing paper and exquisite pens. Okay, I joke. I work two jobs because I can, and because if I didn’t, I would be skint and such. But a lot of my time is spent on a bus going into and out of work as I work about thirty minutes away from where I live. Double that if I’m commuting from my boyfriend’s house. So naturally, what better time to be working on my writing? I find a comfy little nook – near a bus radiator if I can help it, put on my noise reducing headphones to block out the noisy human populace and tune out of the world. I am very picky with my music and it needs to be just the right song for the chapter. (Which begs the question why I even get it to shuffle in the first place!)

2. Bedroom writing.

Bedroom writing involves curling up into my pyjamas and curling up on my bed. I have to be focused to write at home as there are fifteen million distractions out there screaming my name. Again, music is a must have. Right now I’ve been listening to a combination of Walk The Moon, and Ruelle. Both of which I recommend. (Sorely tempted to buy a Ruelle album. )

As I get in late, (after 9pm), I will sit and work on my laptop, typing up with a clacketty clack, first the scrawlings of the day’s bus journey with corrections and adaptations – mostly improved spelling, and more articulate word choice – and then I will move onto the new materials. This can be harder if I have a lot of catching up on facebook to do, but if I’m near the end of a chapter, the momentum keeps itself going. I make myself a lovely strong cup of tea (green milk! No sugar ) and I hunch over the computer till late, four am if I’m feeling particularly ambitious.

My Reptile tank sits at the bottom of the bed and, if I keep the glass open, sometimes Spike, my beardy, will crawl out and shuffle onto the bed. I often find him curled up cosy and warm around my knees as I type. I sit cross legged with my leopard print blanket wrapped around me and a cold cup of tea cradled by my ankles as I don’t have a desk. Though, if I did, I am certain it would contain fifty mugs of half drank cold tea.

There is just something so satisfying about finishing a chapter, where it’s at five pm or five am….