By Charli Valentine
Writing is such a personal thing and everything around you can affect what you write, how you write and inspire what you put down on the page. Everything from where you are, what mood you are in, to what the time of day it is can change your writing style. Here are my favourite environments to work in and tips when it comes to writing!
Enjoy!
Writing is such a personal thing and everything around you can affect what you write, how you write and inspire what you put down on the page. Everything from where you are, what mood you are in, to what the time of day it is can change your writing style. Here are my favourite environments to work in and tips when it comes to writing!
Enjoy!
I usually write all-day-every-day when I'm not busy but I always feel I write my best stuff when I am in bed late at night. I can't tell you why this is, but there is just something about switching my fairy-lights on and having complete silence that brings out the best in me. There are no distractions and it allows you to focus completely on what you are writing.
My preference is to write in my room when I'm at home, with my books around me, my laptop and phone on hand for when I need to do research or inspiration.
I always, always, always prefer to write by hand. It just feels rawer and I get to pay more attention to what I am putting down on the page rather than when I am quickly typing away on my computer or iPad.
Writing in extreme weather is just the ultimate feeling! On a really hot day, snow or, more likely in England, during a heavy storm. It is simply a change in your everyday routine which brings something new out in you.
My advice:
-Be prepared wherever you go... Inspiration is all around us. No matter if you are in the middle of a story or have nothing planned at the moment- just write. School, shopping, work, holidays, there is so much to see and do in the world so don't let anything pass you by. Whether you carry a notebook with you or not, jot it down on your phone or snap a quick picture- just make sure you keep a record of all your ideas or a quick scene that may come to you. You never know when you are going to see something beautiful or strangely bizarre.
-Write, no matter what your mood... Don't think that you only have to write when you are in the mood. Yes, you have to enjoy what you are writing but at the same time a story should express emotions and sometimes you can only write those emotions scenes when you have felt them yourself. So whether you are happy, heart broken or terrified, write because the moments in our lives are what inspire us the most.
-Have a writing day... Not everyone has to plan before they write, a lot of the time it depends on what kind of story you are writing, but I feel that it is always good to have a day at the start where you can gather all your ideas and characters and plan that brand new world that you have bubbling in your mind beforehand. Have a snack and drink nearby and be somewhere you won't be disturbed so that when you get into something you don't need to stop. Obviously, it is always good to take a break but I know from experience that that smallest disruption can ruin the flow of something.
-Have inspiration at hand... Sometimes inspiration can be hard to find and I know what it's like to feel you have constant writers block. What I find is the best way to break through this - if you aren't in a situation where you can venture out into the world to break through it - is to have things at hand to help. Books are a huge source of inspiration so make sure you read, read, read. I always have my iPad at hand with apps such as Tumblr, Pinterest and We Heart It to search. Whether it be for characters, settings, quotes or costumes they are brilliant to use! Search blogs and real life stories online and in papers too!
My preference is to write in my room when I'm at home, with my books around me, my laptop and phone on hand for when I need to do research or inspiration.
I always, always, always prefer to write by hand. It just feels rawer and I get to pay more attention to what I am putting down on the page rather than when I am quickly typing away on my computer or iPad.
Writing in extreme weather is just the ultimate feeling! On a really hot day, snow or, more likely in England, during a heavy storm. It is simply a change in your everyday routine which brings something new out in you.
My advice:
-Be prepared wherever you go... Inspiration is all around us. No matter if you are in the middle of a story or have nothing planned at the moment- just write. School, shopping, work, holidays, there is so much to see and do in the world so don't let anything pass you by. Whether you carry a notebook with you or not, jot it down on your phone or snap a quick picture- just make sure you keep a record of all your ideas or a quick scene that may come to you. You never know when you are going to see something beautiful or strangely bizarre.
-Write, no matter what your mood... Don't think that you only have to write when you are in the mood. Yes, you have to enjoy what you are writing but at the same time a story should express emotions and sometimes you can only write those emotions scenes when you have felt them yourself. So whether you are happy, heart broken or terrified, write because the moments in our lives are what inspire us the most.
-Have a writing day... Not everyone has to plan before they write, a lot of the time it depends on what kind of story you are writing, but I feel that it is always good to have a day at the start where you can gather all your ideas and characters and plan that brand new world that you have bubbling in your mind beforehand. Have a snack and drink nearby and be somewhere you won't be disturbed so that when you get into something you don't need to stop. Obviously, it is always good to take a break but I know from experience that that smallest disruption can ruin the flow of something.
-Have inspiration at hand... Sometimes inspiration can be hard to find and I know what it's like to feel you have constant writers block. What I find is the best way to break through this - if you aren't in a situation where you can venture out into the world to break through it - is to have things at hand to help. Books are a huge source of inspiration so make sure you read, read, read. I always have my iPad at hand with apps such as Tumblr, Pinterest and We Heart It to search. Whether it be for characters, settings, quotes or costumes they are brilliant to use! Search blogs and real life stories online and in papers too!