I’m lucky enough to have a dedicated work space in my home that is separate from my bedroom, but sometimes I sitting at my desk and typing up my story is difficult. Besides our home office, I can write in our living room, the patio in the back of the building, and if I need a small space, the laundry closet. If I’m writing anywhere in my home besides the office I have an armchair pillow, orphaned couch cushions, and the necessary writing implements. Sometimes the siren song of dishes and laundry is too strong and I end up with with a clean kitchen and clean clothes instead of another chunk of my writing done. If I recognize this happening and I leave my home, I like to bring a few things with me to help facilitate writing.

If you, like me, will be using your everyday backpack as your writing work space bag, do yourself a favor and empty of everything except what you need to write. Because of my commute I usually keep my Kobo, a book, a notebook, a clipboard with loose leaf paper, a water bottle, a planner, headphones, company laptop and plug, menstruation gear (Menstridol, pads, liners, and tampons), and an assortment of pens. When my backpack becomes my work space bag I only have a clipboard with loose lead paper, a water bottle, the menstruation gear, headphones, and an assortment of pens. This is to eliminate distractions on my end. If I keep all the normal stuff in bag, I’ll likely procrastinate with the book, my planner, or work (because why not make a little extra money?).

Most of the coffee shops in the area are about a twenty-five minute walk away, which is too far away for me, even if they are open late. I’d also rather have a place that doesn’t necessitate things like paying for a beverage or food item every few hours to justify the time spent camping at a table. I’ve scoped out my area and the library is about a ten minute walk and open until 9pm most week days and 5pm on the weekends. I plan to swing by in the next week to make sure that it will suit my writing needs.

Where can you go to write in and out of your home?