Productivity Day Trip

scheherazade · Aug 1, 2008

I need to do some more writing this weekend than I normally do - I want to kick-start my novel again and need to write a short story for a class. I'm not especially productive when surrounded by the distractions of home, so I'm thinking of arranging a small excursion for myself, either somewhere where I can dig up material inspiration (museum/long walk/other exploration), or some idyllic writerly retreat (a new library, motel room, or a quiet park somewhere) where I can maroon myself for a few hours with nothing else to do but write.

Any suggestions of what to do? If you had 1-2 days to get yourself writing, and wanted to get yourself out of the house for a bit, would you go somewhere with nothing to do but write, or would you seek out some kind of environmental inspiration and then head home again to free the ideas you'd gathered?

Kitty Pryde · Aug 1, 2008

I would go somewhere inspiring for my book (ocean, forest, basketball court, hick town, shakespeare in the park?) in the morning, then go hide out somewhere i can work (library or coffee shop for me probably), with my ipod. in the evening, feel guilty and come home to do chores.

lostgirl · Aug 1, 2008

If I couldn't write with distractions then I would go someplace distraction free if I was serious about getting a good kick start on my WIP. So I guess it depends on if you need the inspiration or if it's just a procrastination tactic.

C.M. Daniels · Aug 2, 2008

I've gone on research trips where I've gotten a lot of writing done. Pity travel expenses have gone up so much those are a thing of the past.

Mumut · Aug 2, 2008

I often go to a resort at Kirra Beach, southern Queensland. It has stunning views, is just over the road from a vast, quiet beach and has good restaurants nearby. I sit out on the veranda and just write. Unfortunately I can't afford to do it often because of fuel costs.

tehuti88 · Aug 2, 2008

I can do "nothing but write" just fine at home (in fact, this is the only place where I can seem to do it proficiently without distractions), so I'd rather get out of the house and just go browse around interesting places for a while, then return home to write later. Seeing how little I get out of the house or can go anywhere interesting (small town, practically a shut-in), that would be a lot more beneficial to me, at least.

I find Mackinac Island to be very inspiring but that's just me.

johnzakour · Aug 2, 2008

For me it works best if I just sit in my office at home and write usually early morning and late night when there are the least distractions.

Still you gotta do what works for you.

Harper K · Aug 2, 2008

I took myself to a bed & breakfast a couple weeks ago and spent three days writing my fingers off. It was incredibly helpful to get out of my usual work environment and just isolate myself in a place where there were very few distractions. The B&B was about 300 miles from home, but I suspect going to the Holiday Inn down the street from me might have given me similar writing results.

Even when I can't get out of town or go to a hotel, I'll sometimes give myself a writing day or evening at the library or at a friend's house. Change of scenery and sound does wonders for getting me through difficult spots in my WIPs.

David I · Aug 2, 2008

Dull-as-dirt hotel rooms work for me.

Georges Simenon, one of the most prolific novelists of all time, wrote all of his hundreds of novels in hotel rooms.

But, then, Simenon knocked out his novels in a few weeks. Most of us coudn't afford to stay in a hotel for the length of time we need to produce a novel.

Productivity Day Trip

scheherazade

Human

Kitty Pryde

i luv you giant bear statue

lostgirl

Always Watching

C.M. Daniels

Cinnamon, sit. Bad fish!

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

tehuti88

Mackinac Island Fanatic

johnzakour

Dangerous with a Keyboard

Harper K

here's to the girl on the go

David I