Some writers can focus on writing in the midst of a hurricane while others need total quiet. While I functioned just fine as a reporter for a daily newspaper, which meant I was working on deadline in the middle of editorial room chaos, I much prefer the quiet environment.
I have a desk in a quiet area of my home (not that almost all of my home isn’t quiet, I have the advantage of living alone except for two cats). I turn off music, television, and mute my cell phone… no distractions. That sets the mood and atmosphere I do best in, but doesn’t necessarily mean success. I’ve been known to stare at my laptop screen waiting for inspiration to arrive.
But it’s still better than what I felt I needed a few years ago. I moved the desk in front of the dining room window, thinking that if I had a serene view of the back yard to gaze upon when inspiration wasn’t exactly striking, it would help me focus.
WRONG! I would have never guessed there was so much going on in my back yard! We’re talking chipmunks, squirrels, gophers, birds, groundhogs, neighborhood cats and dogs. Diving hawks and squabbling critters. Hungry beasts sneaking up on my flowers! Oh, my! It was difficult to focus. It didn’t take long before the desk was moved to face a solid wall with bookshelves. Nothing to see there!
So, my advice is discover your most effective working comfort zone. Do whatever you need to do to ensure you give yourself every advantage in writing your best… even if you end up writing in a closet with earplugs!
Writing is an individual effort. We are all unique. It is vital that every writer discovers his or her particular writing environment and do whatever they can to achieve it. Eliminating distractions is one of the challenges.
And yes, that’s a wild turkey standing on my birdbath.