Finding Your Space

You know the feeling, that perfect beat where you’re writing and it’s just moving right through you. The words are just there!

This month a good chunk of the battle is to find that place every day and get some of those words out!

Some of you have the right space to go to. If you’re like me, then you create that space as you go. Here’s some tips to find that space.

1.  Find the place with your zen, be it the coffee shop with the best indie beats, outside in the shade of your favorite tree, or the quietest nook in your house. Mine was the screened in porch of my last house, right off the river.
2. Think about that place. Are there colors that inspire you? Is it the smell? What makes it your spot and on a busy day can you bring it with you? How much time do you spend there writing vs doing other things?
3. Figure out your time of day. Are you a morning person or do you wake up in the middle of the night? Do you sit down and write after dinner every day? Personally I loved going to that porch at sunset, so I could watch the purple through the trees.
4.  Lighting. It really sets the mood. Again, daylight? Artificial light? Maybe set some string lights up? Me? I really love writing by candlelight.
5.  What are the sounds you like? Music, nature, screaming children? I always found it harder to write when I listen to lyrical music because it puts words into my head. I do love listening to film scores, but my ultimate favorite is a crazy thunderstorm. If you like the sound of rain http://www.rainymood.com/ is one of my favorites.
6.  Find an object of inspiration. What represents you? Having it nearby can sometimes jog a feeling. Sometimes it’s something symbolic I want to focus on, usually it’s a variety of things that feel very “me.” Example, I love drinking whiskey out of teacups and my orange cat is always with me. Reminds me of Hemmingway. I sometimes bring things like old letters out to the porch with me just to think about since I’m a very visual person.

There’s no right or wrong way to do it. Finding a headspace to write doesn’t always have to be physical but for some people it helps.

My ideal space is a screened in porch right off the Tuckaseegee river in the middle of a super loud thunderstorm. It’s only lit by candlelight and lighting, filled with the smell of whiskey in a teacup, and my lap is warmed by a fat orange cat.

What’s your ideal space? Share it in the comments or tweet it with #OctPoWriMo and tell me @Beverlytanfilm!