Taking Your Writing Outside

It would be great to just look outside and see a beautiful day, so you pick up your things and take them outside to write.

Problem? Some things to consider before you do:
1. Be sure you have internet if you need it
2. Is your battery charged? If not, make sure you are close to an outlet.
3. Do you like it hot? Find shade or dappled shade to write in--good for you, good for your computer.
4. Find comfortable chairs to sit in. You can sit on the lawn, but realize small friends live there and will see you as the new playground.
5. Dust, bugs, and pollen also loves the great outdoors, so bring a cloth to keep your computer screen clean (and maybe bug spray for yourself)
6. Make sure you are close enough to a bathroom that you can lug your stuff back and forth without too much bother.
7. Have a sweatshirt or sweater on hand if the breeze picks up.

Writing outside is one of those things that looks great but takes time to look effortless. Recently, Mystery Girl and I wrote on her deck and it was a great experience--but we also had all of the bases covered.

What's in it for me?

As Rose mentioned, why we write is part of a journey. The journey really. If I always questioned "what's in it for me?" I'd never stop to see the beauty in the art of "just doing."

But, let's examine the question as this question often follows the other one --why write?

What in it for me?

Fame--being recognized by many and having good seats at a game would be a few perks I am sure, as would publicly airing my laundry

Fortune--money would be up there at the top, because let's face it, if you don't have the money to DO anything, you are still just a poser. So "give me money (that's what I want)"

Public recognition--I would love to quit my day job and sit in a room typing and have that be considered a worthy endeavor, instead of a hobby.

Be coined "a real writer"--not like those fake ones you see typing in an empty room or coffee shop.

What's REALLY in it for me right now?

Well, certainly not fame or fortune, and I am still at work....so coining myself a real writer is really where it's at. I am just learning to form the words--I am a writer--without immediately making excuses for it. And, maybe next in line of importance is the fact that others around me are also taking me seriously as a writer.

So, bottom line?

I write because I am a writer.

And we meet again!

Hello!

I'm so happy to start musing back and forth about writing with Mystery Girl. Here are a few things we learned:

Writing groups are great, but a writing partner is better

Vary where you write and it may help keep those writing juices flowing

Sugar and caffeine make everything seem great for awhile

Don't be afraid to read something similar to what you are writing. Most likely, you are conscious enough not to copy it, and you may find that it spurs ideas for you to push yourself even further.

Try writing at roughly the same time. It really does help!