I have many rights, for which I’m incredibly grateful.
But I have fewer writes. For me, they’re a little harder to come by because my muse isn’t always available.
What helps, encourages, and gives me the ability to write? My muse—clutter-free space and stone-cold silence.
If there’s clutter? Fuhgeddaboudit!
If there’s noise? Fuhgeddaboudit!
What’s your muse?
Tuesdays with Laurie 
What a nice neat writing space. I´m afraid mine is not so tidy. I seem to need things around me.
Darlene — Difference. That’s what makes the world go round 🙂
So true. But I do feel better when I tidy it up.
Once I have a story going and I’m in its grip, I can write anywhere, but it needs to be something that grabs me and keeps nagging me until I have to write it. I am not feeling my muse right now either, but perhaps there are far too many things going on. Lovely space.
Olga — I love that when you’re “in the grips,” the walls could fall basically fall down around you, and you wouldn’t know 🙂
We’re much the same. I like my familiar surroundings, and need silence.
Craig — It’s always fun to find a writer with similar writing habits. (Clearly, we’re brilliant!) 🙂
Ha ha!
Your space is adorable, love the laptop sides. Beautiful graphic.
NatureNurturesBest — Thank you! 🙂
I have always said in my job as a staff writer, I never could wait for a muse or to be inspired: you wrote because of a deadline or a project etc. That has taught me to plow ahead even when I wasn’t really inspired–and soon enough, the inspiration and joy and invigoration of writing flowed through my heart and soul. I had to write with people talking too loudly down the hall. I had to write sometimes with a mess on my desk, although I tried to keep neat piles. Just saying. But thanks for the musing here!!
Melodie — I admire people who can write ANY time, and ANYwhere. My hat is off to you! 🙂
I used to tell myself that I needed isolation and quiet to write, but then I attended a writing workshop led by Caroline Pignat. She is a mother and a high school teacher, so she simply doesn’t have the luxury of great gobs of quiet solitude for writing. She said that she has learned that she doesn’t need the perfect atmosphere to write. She writes at any time, in the middle of family hubbub. Not only does she get her writing done that way, but it shows her family how important writing was to her. That is the single best piece of writing advice I have ever received.
Arlene — That’s very inspiring. Thank you for sharing it here. 🙂
Natural light and nature outside my window helps me see clearly to create.
Jill — Oh, that sounds absolutely lovely! 🙂
My desk will never look as Spartan as yours, but I’m mostly happy because I know where everything is. I too like silence, but if I feel fatigued or blocked, I’ll listen to Mozart or Haydn, which keeps me going.
What else gives me the write? Reading an article OR finding a treasure, hidden in plain sight, which I’ll write about soon. Provocative question, Laurie. 🙂
Marian — You sure know how to dangle a carrot! I’m looking forward to reading about finding a treasure and things hidden in plain sight. 🙂
I really don’t much care what the circumstances are if I feel moved enough to write, I wrote some of my best work on the school bus full of morning-sprung adolescents, throttling down a country highway with the Sun barely over the hills. If these thoughts of writing feel they need to come free from my head, they probably will if I think they can get away with it. Since I am more of a visible graphic artist, my notes tend to be different than a writer’s, more often just a line or three. In that case all I need is the back of a grocery receipt and pencil stub. I can concoct and fabricate perfect situations from now to kingdom come but that doesn’t guarantee that lightning will strike. Sometimes the nudge is gentle, sometimes like a kick in the shin, but always an occasion for gratitude and happiness at being remembered again with such a fine gift. I just wish I answered the Call more often.
Sandi — I love the way you write. It’s hook, line, and sinker style! And who knows… with the weather you’re having in your neck of the woods, lightning may well strike! ⚡
Thanks, Laurie!
It is largely the utter unavailability of silence in low-budget rental rooms which has me homeless. I can’t live with media noise.
Ana — I absolutely understand about the media noise. I can’t stand it either.
Early morning , pitch black outside , silence , candles and Arthur curled up beside me . My writing room I use in the day is full of books and nic nacks . Like you say Laurie it’s what makes the world go round to be different .
Cherryx
Cherry — Here’s to celebrating difference. Cheers! 🙂
Peace and quiet are essential for writing; How else can you hear your thoughts?
Fatima — Absolutely! 🙂
😉