The Writing Zone

Writing requires focus, intent, connection to self, and a deliberate disconnection from all distractions. While serious writers will write almost anywhere—the writing must happen, after all—they tend to have designated zones for writing. Many have more than one favorite space, so they can attend to different writing purposes and moods. I can divide my writing zones into two categories: indoors and outdoors. I write indoors when writing outside is not feasible and outdoors whenever possible.

My indoor spaces need only provide a comfortable perch and an appropriate atmosphere. Depending on my mood, that atmosphere may be private or public; silent or infused with background music; it may even be loud and bustling with a variety of voices and sounds. Most often, I choose my private home office and silence. Occasionally, I include instrumental music.

This writing space includes both a sit down and a stand up desk space, both of which face the double glass doors that lead into the gravel yard and forest. I see only ground, trees, a distant mountain, and critters flitting about when I break from looking at the page or screen. I enjoy giving my eyes respite from close focus by staring out into nature every now and then. I even do this sometimes as I type.

Another favorite indoor writing space is any public coffee house. Though the music and conversation can be bothersome at first, eventually, I can zone out all the details of the noise around me and laser focus my attention on my composition. This is excellent practice for me. Whenever I write in public like this, I feel proud of my accomplishment in the end. Like at home, I aim to sit near a window, so I can focus my sight on a distant horizon every now and then. I learned that this is an important rest for eyes that so often focus close. If I can’t sit near a window, then my next choice is to find a seat that faces one, however far away, so I can look beyond the walls of the space. If that isn’t possible, then when I need to look away from the text I’m writing, I just look to the farthest point I can see in the space.

I also like to write in my car, occasionally. I do this when I need absolute isolation, or when I just need to get something onto paper and don’t have time to get to a more ideal location. Ten minutes of writing in the car can do wonders for my productivity.

But when the weather is conducive, I love to write outside. Being outdoors, hearing the sounds of nature, feeling the breeze on my skin, the sun if it’s out, somehow heightens my writing experience. I think of it as a symphony with my words, my pen, my paper, and all the elements surrounding me coming together in a harmonious play of energy that influences the resulting composition. The pieces I write outdoors always feel more alive to me when I read them later.

Another great bonus to writing outdoors is that I can tuck my pen and notebook in a sack and walk to different locations where I can pause to compose. I like the woods behind my house. There is a rock on the rise of the steep-sloping hill that lets me sit at just the right angle, facing the distant mountain. As I write, pine needles, oak leaves, and tiny flying creatures occasionally land on my page, welcoming me to fully immerse myself in the space.

Just up the road from my house is another place I like for writing: Highland Lake. On its sunny beach is a play ark. If I climb up the gangway and stand at the helm of the ship, I can rest my notebook on the helm and write fairly comfortably. It’s a tad higher than I’d like, but the lake view and frequent hawk and turkey vulture fly-bys make up for that slight inconvenience. Then I can tuck my notebook away again and journey onward to the slanted rock that sits in the shade at the water’s edge, and write some more as the ducks, geese, and our resident Great Blue Heron feed and frolick in the water.

Writers know that finding places where their words can flow, where they can collaborate with inspiration, and where they can connect deeply with their creativity and purpose is essential. We don’t always know what the perfect combination will be, so we try a great variety until we find one or another that really works for us. Over time, we collect favorite writing spaces like others collect trinkets. It’s good to have more than one, because the writing cannot wait and sometimes a favorite space is, in one way or another, compromised. When you’ve found your perfect perch, you’ll know it. The feeling will be unmistakable and the words on your page or document will be lasting proof.