The Screened-In Porch: A Lovely Place to Write. Outside. No Bugs.
Well, now that was a question I’d never envisioned anyone asking. And quite honestly, I’d never actually asked myself. I’d always assumed everyone wanted to be outdoors if at all possible. Apparently not so for those who dwell in Manhattan. And to be both honest and fair, if I dwelt there, outdoors would probably slide way down on my list too. (I’d also probably go insane from lack of sunlight on my skin). I’ve been to NYC only in extreme seasons, January and cold enough to freeze a witches’ ta-tas and dead of summer when there’s no way on God’s green earth they can pick up the garbage fast enough. In a nutshell, I am clearly NOT a city dweller.
Cleaning Lawnmower Parts: Also working outdoors, but NOT writing outdoors. Some of my best writing is done outside, while completely away from the keyboard.
Outdoors I am free. I can be anyone I want to be. I can be anywhere I want to be. And to be truthful, I don’t feel like I’m working when I’m outdoors. The time flies. The pages amass. I’’m lucky to be able to do what I love for a living. I’m luckier still to be able to do it mostly outdoors.
If I wasn’t writing, I think I’d like to be a farmer—the crop raising kind, because I couldn’t bear the cycle of livestock rearing. Outdoors. Love it.
Ah, well, there we differ. My daily walk outside is essential to my physical, mental, and creative health, but I write indoors at my desk. No worries about breeze or bugs. No distracting leaves or sun. But I’m in favor of whatever process works!
I love writing outside, but suffer from laptop glare from the sunshine. It is so frustrating. When I sit inside to type up from my notes, I have all doors and windows open. I need the air around me.
Oh, no! I can’t be in sunlight. And writing in the dark would be tricky….
Okay, I’m not a vampire, but my medications do not agree with direct sunlight and I break out horribly after a few minutes outside. The window at my left side, looking out into our gardens, has to be sufficient. But I can see the allure.
Love to hear everyone’s best writing places. Keep them coming! Right now, I just finished mowing and have a ton of ideas buzzing in my head. Heading out to the screened porch to get them written down before it’s time to cook dinner.