Suss out settings
Setting goes hand in hand with company. You want to feel physically comfortable, but not so comfortable you fall asleep; you want to feel mentally stimulated, but not to the point of distraction.
Here, we consider how factors in your writing setting influence your senses of focus and inspiration. These factors include the type of space, degree of privacy, presence/quality of sound, and time of day. Experiment with these variables to discover the individual blends that best suit your writing activities.
Vast rooms, great heights, and cozy nooks
Qualities of the physical spaces we inhabit can affect how we think and feel. Consider how a room with bright white walls might feel tranquil to Person A but clinical and uninviting to Person B—same external space, opposite internal reactions.
- Compare how it feels to work in a large, airy space with how it feels to write in a cozier, den-like space.
- Try working with visual stimuli minimised: for example, at a desk facing a wall. Then, try writing somewhere with more action or a view: for example, sat near a window on a building's 6th floor.
- When the weather is nice, try working outside from time to time. The Common is ideal for writing in nature.
As you discover new spaces where you're able to focus well, take time to reflect on qualities they have in common.
Noise levels and types
Fewer writers thrive in absolute silence than you might imagine. When it comes to noise, think not only about volume levels, but the qualities of what you are hearing: is the soundscape consistent or unpredictable; ambient or self-curated; musical or music-free; etc.?
- For a quick experiment, try writing in a designated 'quiet zone' of the library, then relocate to a floor that allows talking: which worked better for you?
- A decent pair of headphones can be a great investment in your writing. Explore online options for 'white noise,' 'focus music,' 'study soundtracks,' etc. Many students swear by piano versions of their favourite cinema or video game scores.
- Cue up recordings of actual cafes, train stations, rainforests, zoos, laundromats, and other spaces if the ambient vibe helps you concentrate.
Top tip: Pay particular attention to whether hearing other people's voices is helpful or distracting. Try instrumental music if words are distracting. Alternately, put on a boring TV show if background chatter helps you focus.
Public vs. private
- Public spaces tend to spark a greater sense of accountability. No one in the library will come over and chastise you if you stop working, but...it kind of feels like they will, doesn't it? Likewise, when you leave the house specifically to go somewhere and write, you feel more driven to follow through.
- Private spaces have benefits, too. You can stretch, pace around, and talk to yourself. You can create as much writing mess as needed. No one will judge you for wearing a dragon onesie while drafting (you do you, friend). Plus, the coffee is much cheaper!
Customising settings
Small adjustments can make any environment work better for you if you take time to reflect on which factors are making the writing feel easier and which factors are hampering you. For example...
- If seeing people walking around, gesturing, etc. is nice but the noise is too much, try silencing headphones.
- If the sounds of everyone typing and chattering in the library are great but you feel exposed or visually distracted, use a jacket to turn a study pod into your own little 'writing cave.'
- If your writing group meets in a private house for the cheap snacks and 'yay we can wear onesies' factor, but the house is too quiet, take turns picking ambient soundtracks or instrumental playlists for background noise.
