Bitter wind rattles the windows and flings icy pellets at the glass. The rhododendron leaves are curled into themselves, huddled against the cold. It’s wild and wintry outside … a good day to stay home, turn up the thermostat and catch up on the writing we’ve been meaning to do all week.
Of course, it’s also a good day to do a bit of Christmas baking. Or finish cleaning the bathroom. There’s too much to do. We’ll have more time to write in the New Year, after Christmas is over.
But perhaps New Year’s Resolutions will make fitness sessions and the gym more of a priority, (Of course I’m talking hypothetically here! You know me better than that!) so we’ll take a breather and get back to writing next month … or in the spring. Well, after the garden beds are dug and seeds planted. Oh, but there’s always summer to look forward to … all those lazy vacation days with endless opportunities. In the summer the excuse becomes the heat. It’s too muggy to stay inside and write. Better to take advantage of the sunshine and opt for gardening, or vacationing, or enjoying some family time at the beach. When the fall rains start there will be time enough to stay inside and write. We won’t talk about the changing colours and crisp autumn afternoons that will tug us outdoors for walks.
From what I’ve seen, successful authors don’t procrastinate. When there’s writing to be done, they write. But when being interviewed, it’s interesting to hear them describe what they consider ideal writing conditions.
*
Darkness has enveloped everything beyond the window. The family room is lit only by Christmas lights, the fireplace crackles and the room is cosy. Lyrics of a winter song come to mind: “Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we’ve no place to go”–we might just as well write, right? Except it’s too cosy, too comfortable. I’m content to stare into the flames and let my thoughts wander.
I think it’s time to grab a mug of black coffee and take my laptop into the office where the room is cooler and distractions are minimal. It’s time to get down to work and make the most of the next hour.
What are your ideal writing conditions? Is there one season or situation that’s more conducive to a productive writing session?
~ ~ ~
MUSINGS 
Carol–you’re not helping!!! LOL I’m sitting here so sure the pool is beckoning. Which, of course, we know it can’t be because pool’s don’t beckon. … or do they? You’re right. We simply have to settle down and write no matter what.
I’m not the most self-disciplined person, so it’s easy to procrastinate. Sometimes I have to bargain with myself…I can go garden/shop/bake (or maybe swim?) for an hour, but then promise to put in an hour’s writing. The same technique works for less desirable tasks such as cleaning bathrooms, too. Ha!
It’s cold today today and I’m looking over all the ‘goodies’ that have been offered to us Nano Winners. It’s almost too much to comprehend at this time. This year was the first year I entered and I actually finished. It was an exciting process and I’m so pleased I could finish. Now the revisions and making sense of what I wrote. It’s a long process.
Congratulations, Lauren! Completing those 50,000 words is a major accomplishment. I hope your revisions go well and you end up with the story you envisioned. 🙂