Where’s the Perfect Workspace for Freelance Writers?
Freelance writers can work from anywhere they want. All you really need is a notebook and a pen/pencil. But I have horrible penmanship and for some reason that blocks my creative flow. (Weird, I know.) So if you’re like me, you pack up the laptop and go. But where?
I live in a rural area. Every “cool” place is at least a 10-minute jaunt. But not knowing exactly where I will work each day is exciting. Nothing beats discovering a tucked away place to set up shop. Of course, there are a couple of requirements for a productive outing. I only need accessible electrical outlets (my poor laptop is on life support), comfy seating and free WiFi. You might be a high-maintenance writer. So your must-haves will differ. That’s OK. Hemingway needed his Mojitos. All I’m saying is take a few minutes to evaluate how you work best and plan around that.
OK, let’s get this out of the way. The cliché workspace for freelancers is a coffeehouse/coffee shop/café. But if you’re a people watcher, kiss getting anything done goodbye. Yes, I admit, I loiter at a certain joe joint now and again. There are good vibes there. But mix it up. If it becomes a hangout, it’s not a workspace. I’m just saying.
For the more daring, hotel lobbies present a rewarding atmosphere. Especially the ones that offer free breakfast. Obviously, you can’t visit everyday, but the exhilaration of not being a guest is worth a trip. Heck, go all out and bring your swim gear.
But for me, the perfect work location is… wait for it… my local library. Actually, I have two libraries to pick from each day. The same may hold true for you.
Here are 10 reasons why a library is the perfect freelancer office:
10. Good vibes-people, books, etc.
9. A gazillion words at your fingertips.
8. A great reference section. Enough said.
7. Magazines of every sort to inspire you.
6. Music CDs to listen to as you work (headphones required).
5. DVDs to watch when you just don’t have any ideas.
4. Comfy chairs and sturdy tables. Enough said.
3. People smarter than you work there. Ask questions, you get answers.
2. No foo-foo coffee-ordering cadence to break your rhythm.
1. It’s all free! Well, your taxes pay for it. So use it.
I’d love to hear about your favorite places to work.
Library…eh? I prefer my home office but with the kids always peaking in…it gets tough.
Would they mind if I set up cubicle walls? After 12 years of staring at brown bulletin board style decor (okay, I do have a window at my back) I’m afraid I’d be woefully distracted in any other setting. I’d better start trying out new locations.
Hey Kris!
Most libraries have their tucked-away spots that could give you that cubicle experience you crave. Haha.
Yes, you would need to be weaned back into the wild after so many years in cubicle captivity. “God is great. Beer is good. And people are crazy.”
later…
Chad
I once got locked in a university library while researching a book. (The library closed for the evening. The staff didn’t notice I was working on the lower level when they locked up for the night.) I switched to writing in coffee shops (love coffee; fascinating stories) shortly thereafter.
I’m thinking that restaurants should become the new coffee shops. I recently overheard a fellow telling his date that he’d taken back $250k worth of jewelry from his rotten ex-wife – and that he’d been driving around with that jewelry in his truck for the past 10 years. Sure way to impress a date – and to get other restaurant patrons to try to spot your truck in the parking lot.
Hi Ann—
Thanks for you comment. I never got locked in a library yet. Glad you made it out alive. :)
On Twitter I write “Super-Short Stories” from random words my followers submit. With only 140 characters, it’s a challenge but super fun. Then I post them to my blog. If you get a few minutes, read a few: http://chadschomber.wordpress.com/super-short-stories/
Take care…
Chad
Of course libraries are the best place to do your writing! Thanks for the plug, my favorite B-I-L!
Yes, if anyone is driving through Beloit, WI be sure to visit the new library. Great setup there.
Hi Chad:
I’m with you 100% on cafes. Barring my home office, I agree the library is the next-best option.
My favorite local library is lovely: A mid-century design with comfy worn chairs, wide coffee tables and spectacular views of the Hudson River.
But that’s the problem.
Like KriSpurley, I’m easily distracted. I find it impossible to concentrate with my attention pulled towards the soaring palisades–and the clacking of other New York suburban freelance writers who clearly do not share my attention deficit.
As unexciting as it is, I work best in completely quiet and solitary surroundings. A windowless monk’s cell would be perfect.
A kid-free home office is the next-best thing.
That’s why summertime–with teens lolling inside the house and lawnmowers grinding outside–drives me ’round the bend.
On cue: Right now, outside my home office window, a tree service began grinding up maple limbs. I swear.
I sometimes wonder if my need for familiar, noise-free surroundings is what keeps me working at home as a freelancer after 18 years.
Would I get anything written in an open, doorless cubicle?
Hi Lorraine—
Thanks for the comment. When I’m brainstorming ideas, I need what I call “slightly distracted concentration”. Ever have a great idea when you’re driving or cooking or taking a shower? That’s SDC. I try to recreate that experience all the time. So far libraries give me the best results.
But when I absolutely, positively need to get my writing done, I agree, a noise-free, kid-free, sugar-free environment is a must-have.
best…
Chad
I worked from home for 4 years (pre kids) before heading back to the cube farms of the corporate world so a change of scenery was often a must to stay sane.
Even today, I try to tailor my workspace to the task. If I need to really concept ideas, get the laptop away from me and give me whiteboards and room to pace. For research, the laptop is a must and silence is my friend (thus my current basement rec room office away from TV and kids).
The library concept is a good call for public spaces…especially if their wifi extends outside a bit and you can get.
Now if only I could get a huge portable whiteboard…
Gohs!
Ah, I hardly remember my pre-kid life.
Yes, a portable whiteboard would be nice. Hmmm? Maybe something that rolled up and you just shake it like an etch-sketch to erase it. I need to make a phone call to 3M. :)
later…
Chad
I work best in my own home office, mainly because I’m a creature of habit and since there’s no one home to distract me, it’s quiet.
But reading this post reminded me of the days I used to go to the library (this was pre-home office, when I was mainly using my dining room table). I love that library smell, and the fact that people around you are working makes it easy to stay focused. I may start making it a point to go to the library again, even it it’s just once a week. How exciting! Thanks for the reminder.
I wrote actually wrote about writers’ workspaces a couple of weeks ago, and I shared a picture of my home office (http://www.nmaldonado.com/blog/?p=45). Would love to see pictures of other writers’ workspaces if anyone’s interested!
I love to take my laptop on my balcony and work. It’s fairly private with minimal people-watching opportunities. My neighbours are at work so it’s pretty quite. And, I can easily make a pretty good cup of coffee for myself. The library is quite a good idea though… it is good to get out for a change of scenery once in a while.
Ditch your hopelessly outmoded AP in favor of Chicago unless you write for hopelessly outmoded newspapers. What’s with their STILL shunning the serial comma? Saving electrons? So quaint.
Garner’s Modern American Usage is a must-have.
So is Web 11 (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition)—wherein Ms. Oxman would learn that a “must-have” is hyphenated.
Finally, everyone should download David Foster Wallace’s classic essay on usage: http://www.harpers.org/media/pdf/dfw/HarpersMagazine-2001-04-0070913.pdf
RIP, DFW.
Great article Chad. My #1 place to write is on my couch in my basement, especially when everyone else is asleep upstairs, dog, husband, and daughter. The few moments of quiet definitely allows for my creative thoughts to flow.
I normally sit on the loveseat in my room, but it doesn’t work unless it’s like 2 am and my kid isn’t up to distract me. Plus my brain works better at that time for some ungodly reason. But then I get the joy of being exhausted during the day… This whole writing gig has changed me into a nocturnal creature, I swear!!
I love writing from home since I can be with my girlie most of the time, but I’m rather loving it at the moment — she’s at school on a field trip. It’s hard to get anything done when I’m *supposed* to…I’m always distracted.
A hotel lobby — hrm… Never thought of that one. I might need to try it out one of these mornings when I’m childless..
And the library is great, as well, but I tend to get stuck in libraries for WAY too long (although not overnight… ;))
Great article!!