When I wake up, I check my mental state the same way I check the weather. How am I today? Tired? Buzzing? Brimming with confidence, or bursting with self-doubt?I want to be rested, but not too energetic that I can't sit still and concentrate. It should be morning -- early, in fact, the earlier the better so I still feel I have the whole day ahead -- and the sun should be shining so I don't feel hemmed in by grey. My favourite pen should magically appear without a prolonged and frustrating search. The coffee will be strong but not overpowering, with just the right amount of milk, and the caffeine should hit me just as I reach my desk. I'll find the perfect angle to sit comfortably for hours, and there'll be no drilling, no screaming babies next door, and no barking dog.
Oh yes. And did I mention the Red Twizzlers? A never-ending supply, please.
What are your perfect writing conditions? Happy Friday, everyone!
I like it if it's raining, then I can't go out and fiddle in the garden.
ReplyDeleteFancy writing a novel in a month?..... Check out my blog.
Complete and utter silence. Lots of hours in the day. Warmth.
ReplyDeleteThe knowledge that there's a cat somewhere close by.
Endless supply of chocolate and marmite. And coffee. :-)And a good internet connection.
Have a great Friday too!
Take care
x
Stormy weather, freshly brewed coffee, cluttered desk, clear mind after a restful night's sleep (doesn't happen often enough), and ideas spilling onto the keyboard.
ReplyDeleteHi Talli,
ReplyDeleteLove this post. For me, it's quiet-no phone calls, perfect coffee and finding the writing zone. :D
Good that you said red twizzlers.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd have said black twizzlers, there'd be no hope for you!
Ergonometric keyboard, unfortunately. I say unfortunately because I'd love to be able to sit on the couch or outside and type away. But I do my best writing when I'm at my desk (which my mind associates with regular work, since I work from home).
ReplyDeleteI'm counting on rain to spur on more writing this winter. If not, I'm going to stalk my local weatherman.
ReplyDeleteRested, sunshine, warmth, copious amounts of chocolate!
ReplyDeleteRight now, I'm at a standstill with a lack of ideas that are getting anywhere. So at this point, I'm just thinking 'I'LL TAKE ANY CONDITIONS, OKAY?! JUST GIVE ME A GOOD STORY!'
ReplyDelete:-)
Ooo, sounds about right (but you write with a Pen? Wow, I so can't do longhand anymore.)
ReplyDeleteI need pretty much the same (especially the Twizzlers). And sometimes I need to turn off the wifi, so I won't keep checking email and Twitter). Oh, and I need the cats to be distracted, so they don't walk across the keyboard.
Have a great weekend!
Ahhh that sounds so comfortable. :) Hmm, well I need a little bit of music in the background and one of those days where it's both sunny and cloudy. Granola in hand. And a high of motivation!
ReplyDeleteOhh...I am describing today. :D
~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
I can only write in the dead of the night, I might be the neighbor with kids next door. Usually I need a few hours to wind down after the trials of the day then its me, a bag of pains au lait and my trusty nutella jar. Oh and I like to write in uncommon ink so mostly its my purple or pink pen.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see all the different conditions for people!
ReplyDeleteShannon, no. I don't write with a pen - it's my security blanket, though. I need to have it nearby!
My,my, aren't you the predictable one? What happens when something is missing? -- Pen, Twizzlers, sun. lol
ReplyDeleteA slow point at work where no one comes over and bugs me about anything and the music isn't set on 50's is my ideal time to write. I might have to start going to work on my off days just to write. Can't seem to get far at home.
ReplyDeleteComplete silence - although that never happens and I might be in too much shock if it did to actually write.
ReplyDeleteSilence. No dogs. Enough heat, cold, rain, or wind so I don't want to go outside. And a mind that's itching to write.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday to you, too!
Complete and utter silence. And water. = )
ReplyDeleteA quiet house, coffee, hours open before me. A little rain outside helps, too. Something about it is so insular, closing me in my writing world.
ReplyDeleteAnytime that my brain refuses to turn off is good. it's way better if it canbequiet, but not necessary. The right music can drown out a lot...
ReplyDeleteIt all sounds good except the red licorice....Black for me! No one else in my family likes the black...yawhooo
ReplyDeleteI love the darkness and rain. Anything gloomy.
ReplyDeleteI love to write when it's dark and gloomy outside. Or if it's really cold. Or if it's nighttime. So.... pretty much anytime that it's not sunny. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
Red Twizzlers! Love them!
ReplyDeleteI've had some really off writing days lately but I'm hoping to get back in the mood before Nano.
CD
If I can just get my fingers and brain to work together I think I've got the perfect writing conditions, but they seems to be on different levels all the time. LOL
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
Evening. I'm relaxed but not exhuasted. And Hot Tamales. Boxes of them!
ReplyDelete...plentiful ideas aren't the problem...it's a matter of digging up a spare minute or three to make something of them!
ReplyDeletecoffee, a gun on the side table and a few ideas. The typewriter needs to be perfectly warm and the door closed.
ReplyDeleteAll I need is a good Internet connection (for the constant research I'm doing) and peace and quiet. Bonus points if its after midnight.
ReplyDeleteThat would almost be perfect for me right down to twizzlers and milk in my coffee, with a minor exception, late at night instead of morning- for some reason I'm best when the day has passed
ReplyDeleteOoh, twizzlers. I haven't had twizzlers in awhile. Must add them to the grocery list. And yes, it has to be red, not black!
ReplyDeleteIt's raining words, hallelujah! LOL. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI need it to be really quiet when writing, Talli. Coffee...but now needs to be decaff *sigh* as per doctor's advice. And currently, I'm addicted to coffee cake (no, can't find decaf coffee cake, LOL)!
ReplyDeleteMy writing forecast for the past few days has been foggy. Very foggy.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's late at night when everything and everyone is quiet and still.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
I like morning - with a magically clean house so there's no guilt nagging at me. My iTunes should be on shuffle and a cup of Chai Tea on hand :)
ReplyDeleteI wish you luck in finding the perfect writing conditions. Sunny days are always a good start! As for Red Twizzlers, I hope you have a good supply.
ReplyDeleteI find that the sunny days help me a lot & having a cuppa tea w/ just the right amount of lemon is a fine way to start the day.
Red Twizzlers for sure and just about everything else you like but I must have a keyboard not a pen :)
ReplyDeleteOh, that sounds like a perfect day! I like it when the house is quiet, so weekends and summer days are a challenge. But still, the writing gets done!
ReplyDeleteSo long as my kids aren't fighting I can write.
ReplyDeleteReally interesting to see what maks other people tick/write though. Thanks, great post.
Hi Talli - ah yes .. having the right ambience - makes all the difference .. and as you say makes it a whole lot easier .. hope you get some peace and quiet to create in ...
ReplyDeleteHappy sunday .. Hilary
I love Red Twizzlers.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... what are Red Twizzlers, if I may so ignorantly ask? :P
ReplyDeleteGreat post Talli! I'm with many of the commenters here... I love writing in the rain! Something about it really spurs my creativity :)
ReplyDeleteYour day sounds just about perfect for me too. But along with the silent dogs and babies, I'd add the neighbour staying in instead of coming over hoping for a long chat.
ReplyDeleteWhat Kitty says "Complete and utter silence. Lots of hours in the day. Warmth."
ReplyDeleteI love a violent rainstorm. Rolling thunder. Lightning. Wind swept rains coming down in all directions you don't know what direction the wind is blowing. I can write all day and night in that environment.
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
silence, lots of chocolate, a comfortable couch, cool but not cold, my favourite purple pen and some more chocolate.
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect! I'm with you on the early morning part - I'm not nearly as productive at any other time of day.
ReplyDeleteWhat is a red twizzler? I think it is a type of sweet, maybe?
ReplyDeleteHope your weather forecast today is good!
Your description of getting ready for your day of writing was quite compelling. If I wasn't at work, I would actually pull out my lap top and start writing now.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I don't know how much better reading blogs at work really is :)
Screaming babies are a norm for my writing time. LOL! As are the dogs barking and the chickens clucking. But my ideal day would be peaceful and my body already exercised and energized.
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of your ideal writing day, Talli!
I'm surprised you ever do get to write!
ReplyDeleteI just need my dh to stop talking to me when I'm writing.