What does bother me, however are the Wi-Fi freeloaders. I mentioned them in my last post; they're the people who camp out for hours with their laptops and don't buy anything (they're even more annoying than the people with laptops who nurse one cup of coffee for hours). Even though they can get free Wi-Fi at the public library (where they're obviously not expected to buy anything), they think it makes more sense to take up extra tables and prevent paying customers at cafes from sitting down.
Freeloader #1: Did you see that guy's hair? I'm totally going to tweet about him.
Freeloader #2: Too late. I already did.
Freeloader #1: What? I can't believe you did that! I wanted to tweet about it!
Freeloader #2: You're just jealous because I have more followers than you.
What I wish I could have said: Tweet this, freeloaders! (I also wish I could have raised my coffee cup high over my head, so that they'd throw themselves over their laptops, sobbing, "NO! Not our laptops! Take us instead!")
I've tried writing in the library at school, because theoretically it's a quiet place to work. I say "theoretically" because several of the undergrads go there to do anything but study. It's often noisier in there than it is at Wrigley Field on game day, or the bars in Wrigleyville after the game is over.
Undergrad #1: I can't believe the professor assigned us all this homework! I have no time to work on this.
Me: Maybe if you had done something other than sit there and complain for the past two hours, you'd have had time to get it done.
Undergrad #2: Haha, check out what somebody carved on the desk! I didn't even know that was a swear word!
Undergrad #3: Oh, I just got another text message from that girl I told you about.
Me: I know. So does everyone else in this library. If you're going to keep texting, do you think you could at least silence your phone before I silence it for you?
Undergrad #1: Have you seen my study partner? JANE? WHERE ARE YOU? I'M NOT DOING THIS PROJECT ALL BY MYSELF!
Me: Do not start throwing things. Do not start throwing things.
I've also tried writing on the buses and trains, because I spend a lot of time commuting every day. But because it's tourist season I'm often stuck standing. When I do get a seat, I've found that people often sneak peeks at what I'm writing.
Creepy Guy sitting next to me: What are you writing?
Me: Um, I'm just writing in my journal.
Creepy Guy: Can I read it?
Me: No.
Creepy Guy: Since you're writing stuff down anyway, can you at least write down your phone number for me?
Me: No. I have to go far away now.
I've also tried writing in my apartment, but it always feels like it's eighty or ninety degrees in there, even in the winter.
Me: It is so hot in here! I feel like I'm melting! I'm meeellltttinngg!
Guy passing by outside: Sounds like the Wicked Witch of the Midwest is freaking out again.
Since it gets so hot in my apartment, I have to turn on my fan and open my windows. However, due to faulty screens, bugs keep crawling into my apartment.
Me: Oh, dear God, exactly how many legs does that thing have? Get away, Demon Bug, GET AWAY!
So I'm still trying to find a place to write. But I did read this interesting post recently by a former publishing intern; her post made me think that if she can write her novel in a van, I should be able to get my writing done anywhere. That's if I can restrain myself from hurling coffee or library books at loud people.
Here are some pictures of writing spaces that I thought looked cool:
What about you? Where do you like to write? Which places do you think are most/least conducive to writing?
I don't think my ideal writing space will ever be inside my house. There are too many distractions. That said, Will Self's wall of post-its is inspiring. I think I would blanket mine in rejection notes. I only have 7 and I think the need for wall-to-wall coverage would encourage me to send out my work more frequently.
ReplyDeleteI need to go to the library more often. As in, the public library, not the school library. I have a study carrel in Fondren, but when I get bored, I tend to check out "helpful" books thinking that I will one day read them. Thus begins an endless cycle of anxiety, guilt, and remorse.
Plus, I'm now broke-broke (as opposed to just broke) and need to kick my coffee and used-book-buying habits. The public library seems to be a good alternative.
Hi Anna,
ReplyDeleteMy apartment is very distracting too, especially because my desk is in the same room as my television. I also have stacks of "helpful" books; no matter how much research I do, I always feel like I should be doing more. I wonder if professors feel the same way about research, or if it's just something that graduate students feel.
Writing at a cafe or library can be difficult. I know, have been there.
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe of Will's Post-It notes collection! I also see a huge more crowded area right above his computer.
That white furnished room w/ the triple windows -- now that's a place to write!
Hi notesfromnadir,
ReplyDeleteThe writing room with triple windows is my favorite too. I think if I had a room like that I'd write at home a lot more often. My dream is to one day live in a place with a room that's just for writing.
I'd love to see those two freeloads hover over their laptops. And creepy guy on the bus is beyond creepy.
ReplyDeleteThose sticky notes are scary!
I love writing in my living room best. Because of my mother, I can tune anything out, anywhere.
I'm very fussy about my writing space and routine, which I recognise is not really a good thing. I need to learn to be more flexible! I write best in the quiet of my office, in the morning.
ReplyDeleteHi Theresa,
ReplyDeleteI wish I could tune everything out; if I could I wouldn't get so irritated by other people's rude behavior so often.
I've tried writing in my living room, but that's where my TV is. I probably should have put my desk in my bedroom, but then I'd probably just be tempted to take naps instead of write. :)
Hi Talli,
I think it's okay for writers to have a set routine and a favorite writing space; I think it can be a good thing because once you're in that space you're often more motivated to start writing.
I'm currently in the process on finishing up my 30 page paper which is my honor's study (and will also be used for my grad school sample!) I find that WHERE I write is incredibly, incredibly important. For one thing, the room HAS to be clean and it has to be silent. If there's shit all over the place, my mind feels cluttered and I can't think. I can't handle music (even instrumental) or chatter. I prefer natural light. As you can see, I'm pretty picky. I think "space" is really important!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Have you ever read "Writing Down The Bones"? I'm reading it right now and it's been a very inspiring, very encouraging read for me as a writer.
ReplyDeleteHi Teddi,
ReplyDeleteI have read Writing Down the Bones; it's one of my favorite books. Natalie Goldberg has written several great books on writing. I wish I could take a class with her, but she is based in New Mexico and I doubt that she'll be coming to Chicago anytime soon.