Comfort when writing

Lisa Cox · Jul 31, 2009

What makes you the most comfortable when writing?

For me, it's the following things:
- Wearing an old, ratty pair of pyjamas
- My hair piled on top of my head, out of my face (I have a lot of hair)
- Absolutely no makeup (I like to feel 'fresh')
- The blanket I stole from my mother-in-law across my lap
- Warm feet
- Glass of water or can of coke
- Silence (no TV or music)
- Early evening, just after the little one's gone to bed (about 7)
ETA: A cushion under my butt. My chair's hard!

And if the rain's hammering on the skylight above my head, all the better.

What about you? I know some writers who only feel comfortable when they're dressed, makeup on, hot cup of coffee, etc. Others work best when slouched on the bed, cat asleep on their back. We all feel differently.

Darzian · Jul 31, 2009

I like writing while on the train. I spend around an hour a day on the train so it's perfect.

Otherwise, nothing particular. The more items you identify as 'necessary' the more restrictions you put on yourself, in a way.

My most comfortable position would probably be lying on my bed with my lappy.

Lisa Cox · Jul 31, 2009

The more items you identify as 'necessary' the more restrictions you put on yourself, in a way.

Oh, I agree. I could write wherever. I just wondered about other people's 'it doesn't get any better than this' lists.

~*Kate*~ · Jul 31, 2009

I always prefer to be in PJs, just generally in life.

Otherwise, my main requirement is that no one can possibly be reading over my shoulder. That makes me crazy.

If I'm at my computer, I don't get anything done until I turn off my Tweet Deck, too.

DeleyanLee · Jul 31, 2009

lisamarie84x said:
I just wondered about other people's 'it doesn't get any better than this' lists.

When the story is talking to me, nice and clear. If I've got that, it doesn't matter what's physically around me. My family, housemate, pets have all been trained that they will get bitten if I'm writing and get interrupted.

Apsu · Jul 31, 2009

If I get too comfortable, I tend to get sleepy. Also, I have a noisy household, with three kids, a wife working from home on the computer behind me, a dog, a cat, and a kitten who has problems pooping in the wrong areas still.

It drove me nuts at first, and it still does at times, but when the house empties, and I get a few hours alone to write, I often feel out of place now.

It's almost as if my best writing over the past year has come with one hand waving people away from me while the other pecks out letters as furiously fast as it can.

That said, smoking brings me the most comfort while writing, though a glass of room-temperature whiskey to sip at is my second favorite.

The Lonely One · Jul 31, 2009

In bed with a laptop mostly these days.

scarletpeaches · Jul 31, 2009

Hair scraped back and doubled over in a scrunchie dork-knob
Wearing pyjamas but if not, then jeans and tee-shirt with my Trinity sweatshirt over it
Mug of tea on the coffee table
Chocolate, crisps or sweets to hand
Kneeling on the floor and typing with the laptop or netbook on the coffee table, or else on the settee with legs curled under me and computer on lap
No music playing, unless on very rare occasions I'm in the mood for something instrumental like the Gladiator soundtrack
It also helps if tt42's on MSN - she's my muse, if muses exist

nitaworm · Jul 31, 2009

If I could, I would write while on a cool patio, surrounded by flowers, and looking out to the sea.

Crash ... real life ...

I write on my front porch or near my fireplace with my shoes off, comfy shorts and a t-shirt. Oh, with kids or the television setting the background noise.

The Lonely One · Jul 31, 2009

nitaworm said:
If I could, I would write while on a cool patio, surrounded by flowers, and looking out to the sea.

Sounds perfect.

Shit, who am I kidding. I'd throw my laptop to the ground and jump in the ocean.

Manix · Jul 31, 2009

Ideally speaking?

*sweats
*coffee
*quiet
*rain or thunderstorm outside
*fresh inspiration from just having gone running a few miles
*cats not on the keyboard

RG570 · Jul 31, 2009

Scotch.

willietheshakes · Jul 31, 2009

RG570 said:
Scotch.

Lapdance.

slcboston · Jul 31, 2009

my current chair sucks.

I need a comfy one.

CheyElizabeth · Jul 31, 2009

PJs- that's a given
A huge cup of crushed ice..
Sitting on my bed with a huge pile of pillows to lean against, laptop in my lap, and my twinkle lights on.. (I have a strand of clear christmas lights around the perimeter of my room)

Extra bonus if the cats stay off my keyboard and it happens to be raining outside =)

Barb D · Jul 31, 2009

On my couch, beloved MacBook in lap, feet on coffee table.

As I write this my 9yo and her best friend are Wii bowling in front of me.

bettielee · Jul 31, 2009

I like this thread idea, lisamarie!

ideally:
just showered, can still smell pretty shampoo smell
in winter: very thick socks on feet, thick sweatshirt over tshirt, sweats (I don't turn on the heater! It's California, I won't freeze)
in summer: shorts and a tee shirt, hair in pony tail
coffee or (iced coffee if it's hot and I can afford it)
kitty at my feet (got her trained, now!)
music that fits the WIP I am working on
character cards where I can reach them and not spill box over whilst rummaging...
notebook with notes and pen, full of ink

Salis · Jul 31, 2009

I don't have very many necessities at all, but temperature is huge for me. 50-60 deg F is perfect for me, much hotter than that and I have a hard time being comfortable/thinking creatively/writing.

KellyAssauer · Jul 31, 2009

lisamarie84x said:
What makes you the most comfortable when writing?

Inspiration.

firedrake · Jul 31, 2009

comfy clothes
cigarettes
air conditioning

would love rain but that ain't gonna happen more than about once or twice a year 'round these parts.

JoshPatton · Jul 31, 2009

Whiskey
Weed
Warren Zevon.

errantruth · Jul 31, 2009

Most comfy but not necessary:

1. air conditioning
2. coffee
3. music

If it's time I'm grabbing, then I like my hair up and out of my face. I sit cross-legged in an armchair with the laptop on a cushion in front of me.

If it's a full day to write, then I like to start right after a cold shower, hair up, with a tank top and shorts/capris.

Painted Wings · Jul 31, 2009

In bed and at night or early in the morning
No interruptions
Covered in lots of blankets
Burning candles
Not stressed out or worried about anything
Sometimes music depends on my mood

Usually I write at work during my lunch break or at my computer desk at home where there are lots of interruptions. So really I can make just about any condition work if I need to.

nitaworm · Jul 31, 2009

Does day dreaming about your story while at work count? or in the car? or at the grocery store?

Exir · Jul 31, 2009

No noise, no distractions.

Comfort when writing

To-to-to-ron-to

brings the random.

Writing Anarchist

Orange

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AW Addict

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Mutatis mutandis

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My horn can pierce the sky!

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You Lie!

The Anti-Magdalene

practical experience, FTW

Makes people nervous.

AW Addict

Out of the cradle endlessly rocking