Paying for a dedicated space to write - worth it?

[Biskit]

Until this moment I think I just assumed that everyone who worked from home did the exact same thing.

Nope.

I do have a favourite writing space.

Doesn't work so well at this time of year.

 

[mosaix]

There’s cafe in Coventry where you pay by the minute to write. Tea and coffee are free.

 

[Culhwch]

I’ve been doing the library thing since the start of last year, and it’s been a revelation. After twenty plus years of good intentions but low production, I realised I had to have a devoted time and a devoted space to write in. Yes, I'm a quick learner, So now, every Sunday morning, I lug my laptop down to my local library and sit in their quiet space for two hours, and actually write. I now I’m almost finished the first draft of a novel for the first time in my life.

If I have to skip a session for another engagement, I’ll try my best to make it up at a different time, but to be honest I’ve taken something of a selfish mindset and I try not to compromise unless I absolutely have to. Like for instance when I was sick for two weeks last year and didn’t think my quiet space friends would have appreciated listening to me hack up my lungs for two hours straight.

It helps that I live a block away from the library (one of the reasons we bought our townhouse), so I’d feel quite lazy if I didn’t make the minimal effort it takes to go. It’s also a well set-up library – I’ve been to a few of their other branches, and they don’t have the same dedicated space for quiet work. (Remember when the entire library was quiet? I don’t begrudge what they have become at all, mind you, because I love seeing young kids excited about reading, but I do sometimes miss the old times…) I still always have headphones in, anyway, so I could work in a noisier area, but the quiet space is just more convenient.

If you are having trouble getting any writing done, and you have access to a free space like a library, I couldn’t recommend trying this method highly enough. I mean, if you have ready access to a folding chair adjacent to some chickens, that’s probably good too.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I am actually fascinated by this thread. My life is set up to give me space for creative work at home.

I have a home phone that pushes forward automatically to my cell phone which pushes forward to my voicemail WHICH IS ALWAYS FULL. My voicemail says text me if this is an emergency and then says Sorry You a Will Never Be Able to Reach Me by Phone.

I have a sign on my front door that says Do Not Ring My Bell Or Knock Unless You Have An Appointment No Exceptions.

When I write I wear headphones and listen to an app that just has white noise sounds. I prefer a crackling fireplace sound.

Sometimes I am just typing away in my bed with the lamp on listening to a crackling (fake) fire and someone walks in. I don’t look up. I just say: Love You-Writing-Get Out. They get out.

Until this moment I think I just assumed that everyone who worked from home did the exact same thing.

No, but I might now

 

[Danny McG]

I mean, if you have ready access to a folding chair adjacent to some chickens, that’s probably good too

Excellent advice, otherwise a comfy chair adjacent to some chocolate biscuits

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Nope.

I do have a favourite writing space.
View attachment 59805

Doesn't work so well at this time of year.

That looks lovely. Since I now have a laptop that I can take outside, I'm going to try this in the spring (substituting a rabbit for the chickens, since a rabbit is what we have available), even though I do currently have a dedicated writing space in the house (the kind of space that comes with a door that I can close).

 

[Biskit]

That looks lovely.

Of course you have to see the reality behind the cuteness.
That hen is looking at me and thinking "is that edible?"
There are no cats in that picture, probably because most of them are scared ****less of the chickens, but elsewhere there are photos of chicken-free times with me, the laptop and a cat on top of the laptop. It really slows the writing.
During the British summer, the weather can change in a moment - light rain becomes a deluge.

 

[Biskit]

I mean, if you have ready access to a folding chair adjacent to some chickens, that’s probably good too.

That's easy - set up the folding chair, wait five minutes, and one or more hens will drop by. If you happen to have food with you, rather less than five minutes.

 

[etaylor]

Sounds like you're trying to buy peace and quiet. Not for nothing, but you won't get that at a co-working space.

Perhaps view it differently. Rather than not being able to work the way you want in your space... The problem might be in your time.

Try writing at a different point in the day, when there's less chaos, you can focus on you, and there isn't as much distraction present by virtue of your surroundings' routines.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Of course you have to see the reality behind the cuteness.
That hen is looking at me and thinking "is that edible?"
There are no cats in that picture, probably because most of them are scared ****less of the chickens, but elsewhere there are photos of chicken-free times with me, the laptop and a cat on top of the laptop. It really slows the writing.
During the British summer, the weather can change in a moment - light rain becomes a deluge.

Yes, but in my backyard I wouldn't have to contend with either cats OR the British weather. (Dogs, yes, but not cats. And considering that I live in drought-ridden California, if setting up to write outside would bring on a summer downpour, well, then I'd be glad to take one for the team, as it were.)

 

[Biskit]

Yes, but in my backyard I wouldn't have to contend with either cats OR the British weather. (Dogs, yes, but not cats. And considering that I live in drought-ridden California, if setting up to write outside would bring on a summer downpour, well, then I'd be glad to take one for the team, as it were.)

Sounds like we need a weather exchange program. If you could just ship us a couple of weeks of decent sunshine, you're welcome to some of our rain.

 

[sinister42]

Funny how threads that started more than 2 years ago can just blow up again.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Sounds like we need a weather exchange program. If you could just ship us a couple of weeks of decent sunshine, you're welcome to some of our rain.

Sounds like an excellent plan!

 

[Astro Pen]

There are 2 writers who spend their days working in my local library. A local historian who uses the resources and one guy who I think is a novelist. As long as your hours work it is probably the best option. Many people write in cafes, though personally I couldn't live with the babble of conversation. Depends on your style, pantsers need monastic silence to hold their world model in their heads plotters less so.

 

[Finch]

Funny how threads that started more than 2 years ago can just blow up again

Have you solved your writing space problem ?

Writers in sheds is quite common . You can visit Monk's House in Rodmell East Sussex . It was Virginia Wolf house and her shed is still in the garden
Another shed fan was Roald Dahl
reddit.com/r/HistoryPorn/comments/4vxxuc/roald_dahl_in_the_garden_shed_where_

 

[AlexH]

I get distracted by wildlife when I work outside. I sometimes sit outside (in the UK) in winter. With a warm coat, no or blocked wind and the sun out, it's not too bad.

There are places springing up where you pay for your food and can stay in the venue all day if you like, and others where (as mentioned) you pay for time with drinks and cake included. I think I saw one for £9/day in London, which seemed cheap. You can have free trials at some. Some have dedicated quiet places.

Modern libraries seem to be doing away with quiet spaces in an effort to be cool, and even going open plan. My local used to have a quiet space. The library moved last year and still had one. But now that's become an office for a housing association.

I don't know if the new Chester Library has a quiet space, but the main part of the library is ridiculous, with music, a noisy cafe and barely a gap between seats/tables and the bookshelves in places! It's one of the worst designed buildings I've been in. It includes a theatre and the nearest toilets are about 4 miles away on a different floor.

 

[sinister42]

I think I've mostly solved my writing problem with coffee shops and other things. Decided paying for a dedicated monthly space wasn't really worth it.

 

[mistri]

I love the idea of a dedicated writing space but can't see it being economical unless I was really making a lot of money. Coffee shops can be a nice inbetween though - gets you out of the house and focused on what you're doing (and in my case away from small children!)

 

[The Bluestocking]

Hmm... I work from home so my home office doubles as my writing space. My family know that once my office door is shut, it's the signal to pipe down and go elsewhere to watch their movies/play their video games/make loud phone conversations.

 

[Phyrebrat]

I’m more about routine than a special place. However absurd this might sound, I am very productive on the Tube. I teach in 12 schools across London so I travel a lot every day.

iPad and Scrivener along with my earphones and white noise generator (or John Carpenter soundtracks) are all I need. I can write anywhere like that.

I think part of it might be that I write horror so the Tube is full of inspiration...

pH