Before this year, I didn’t have a dedicated “Office” for my writing. I wrote on various chairs and stairs around my house. I used the kitchen table, coffee table, end table, and even the bathroom sink. Don’t get all high and mighty and act like you never take your phone into the toilet with you. I have emailed myself quite a few necessary ideas while the cat was sticking a paw under the door wondering if I’d died and he’d have to feed himself.
I also spent, and still spend, a significant period of time writing outside the house. I purchased a library card for a library outside my own county just so I’d have yet another space to write. A change of scenery and the ability to attend a whole slew of previously unavailable to me events was well worth the $50 price tag.
Even with my fancy new office (Hubby still gets brownie points for that!), my favorite place to write and work is my local Panera. Not only do they have free coffee refills, but they have outlets for my laptop, clean bathrooms, and other people doing the same thing as me. Working.
Sure…I always seem to end up seated next to a church group discussing a sermon while writing a double penetration menage scene, but since the last time that happened, I got some more visible ear buds, and can block out all the people praying for my soul.
I get more done at my local Panera than I do anywhere else. Something about that place gives me a guaranteed two thousand words plus if I’m writing a new draft, or brilliant ideas to fill in plot holes while editing. So I thought I’d share what I travel with when I head into my Panera and get to work. Like writing this blog post. Which I happen to be doing at Panera with a cup of hazelnut coffee in hand.
So…
What’s in my traveling office?
1. My computer. Obviously, this is technically the only thing I need. It’s something to write on. But, I have also traveled with my Alphasmart, and even just a notebook and pen, if I have been getting bitten by the distraction monster that is social media.
Personally, I like having my computer, because if I get an idea or need to reply to an email or review a blurb for a friend, I don’t have to do it on my cell phone.
I also spent, and still spend, a significant period of time writing outside the house. I purchased a library card for a library outside my own county just so I’d have yet another space to write. A change of scenery and the ability to attend a whole slew of previously unavailable to me events was well worth the $50 price tag.
Even with my fancy new office (Hubby still gets brownie points for that!), my favorite place to write and work is my local Panera. Not only do they have free coffee refills, but they have outlets for my laptop, clean bathrooms, and other people doing the same thing as me. Working.
Sure…I always seem to end up seated next to a church group discussing a sermon while writing a double penetration menage scene, but since the last time that happened, I got some more visible ear buds, and can block out all the people praying for my soul.
I get more done at my local Panera than I do anywhere else. Something about that place gives me a guaranteed two thousand words plus if I’m writing a new draft, or brilliant ideas to fill in plot holes while editing. So I thought I’d share what I travel with when I head into my Panera and get to work. Like writing this blog post. Which I happen to be doing at Panera with a cup of hazelnut coffee in hand.
So…
What’s in my traveling office?
1. My computer. Obviously, this is technically the only thing I need. It’s something to write on. But, I have also traveled with my Alphasmart, and even just a notebook and pen, if I have been getting bitten by the distraction monster that is social media.
Personally, I like having my computer, because if I get an idea or need to reply to an email or review a blurb for a friend, I don’t have to do it on my cell phone.
2. A plan. Depending on my level of planner addiction at the moment this can be up to three planners. But however many I bring, I know what I’m working on out of each before I head out. I started making notes on what I want to accomplish when I finally get to my destination. Because let’s be honest, I like my house and not having to put on real pants or makeup.
If I am putting in the effort to go out and spend my hard earned money, you’d better believe I am going to be productive. Even if my “plan” is a post-it stuck on my computer with a list of top 3 things to accomplish while out, I have a plan. I get more shit done when I know what to get started on once I get to wherever I’m going.
If I am putting in the effort to go out and spend my hard earned money, you’d better believe I am going to be productive. Even if my “plan” is a post-it stuck on my computer with a list of top 3 things to accomplish while out, I have a plan. I get more shit done when I know what to get started on once I get to wherever I’m going.
3. Chargers, and cords, and earbuds, Oh My!
Because the vast majority of the devices I travel with use electricity, I keep a bag of battery packs, cables, and backup earbuds in my purse at all times.
This isn’t fancy. I got the pouch at Goodwill for a buck, and now I never run out of juice. Because all the people in Panera don’t necessarily understand I need access to an outlet, I have the ability to plug in my phone and ensure I can earbud up and listen to some background music no matter how much South Park Phone Destroyer I played that morning.
Because the vast majority of the devices I travel with use electricity, I keep a bag of battery packs, cables, and backup earbuds in my purse at all times.
This isn’t fancy. I got the pouch at Goodwill for a buck, and now I never run out of juice. Because all the people in Panera don’t necessarily understand I need access to an outlet, I have the ability to plug in my phone and ensure I can earbud up and listen to some background music no matter how much South Park Phone Destroyer I played that morning.
4. My Cell Phone. I know this is kind of a “duh” to have, because no one leaves their house without their cell phone. And if we do happen to forget it, you’d better bet your ass we’re turning around and heading back to retrieve our baby. Specifically, I use my phone for music and a timer. When I’m writing, I sprint in fifteen to thirty minute blocks, so I plug in my earbuds, blast my music and set my timer.
5. Extras. I don’t need anything aside from the four items above to work in my office, because the vast majority of what I’m working on or toward is digital. But there are occasionally things I add to this list and drag in with me.
My wireless mouse and keyboard help me on heavy writing trips.
My series bible/pink binder of awesome for whatever book I’m putting in brainstorm time with, or scene note cards will go with me if I’m trying to be my new organized self. (New Year, new me and all that shit.)
And if I’m doing a read through of a document I will have my printed manuscript and my Kindle Touch. My kindle reads my book out loud to me while I follow along and make notes in my paper copy.
All these extras are "sometimes" items. Which makes my planner and my task list for my traveling office even more important.
5. Extras. I don’t need anything aside from the four items above to work in my office, because the vast majority of what I’m working on or toward is digital. But there are occasionally things I add to this list and drag in with me.
My wireless mouse and keyboard help me on heavy writing trips.
My series bible/pink binder of awesome for whatever book I’m putting in brainstorm time with, or scene note cards will go with me if I’m trying to be my new organized self. (New Year, new me and all that shit.)
And if I’m doing a read through of a document I will have my printed manuscript and my Kindle Touch. My kindle reads my book out loud to me while I follow along and make notes in my paper copy.
All these extras are "sometimes" items. Which makes my planner and my task list for my traveling office even more important.
What about you? Do you have a dedicated office space? Or are you an author nomad like me? If you take your WIP on field trips, what goes with you? I could use an excuse to go shopping. I’m already out and at Panera, after all.
~Roxy
~Roxy
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