Anyone who has to focus on what they’re doing will find that some places work better than others. I’ve been looking forward to writing about this because sharing my favourite workplaces is a fun way to tell you more about my life as a professional writer! It also helps people know where to find me if I disappear down a writing rabbit hole…

My personal productive writing spots

These are some of the best areas for me to enjoy a focused, totally in-the-zone writing frenzy that helps me write at my best. As a side note, there really is no better part of writer life than getting in that zone, right?! If I’m working on a complex project, or I’m working within a really tight turnaround time, these are my go-to spots to get my focus on.

• Libraries: While I have been an avid library-goer since childhood, I discovered the magic of library focus when I was in high school and searching for a quiet and safe spot to work on homework. Eventually, it got to the point where I’d ignore the homework and work on my writing instead. But we’ve all done that. Right? Anyway, I love the charged atmosphere of working in a forcibly quiet area with minimal technology (or none, in my case) and books surrounding you. Plus, when you are done for the day, you can grab a few books to check out and bring home!

• Cafeterias: When I was in university, I’d deliberately sit in the middle of our always-bustling cafeteria and work on a freelancing project. The hubbub of conversation and the smell of food and coffee always had a way of helping me relax into the professional world. Plus, it was a quick and easy way to access snacks and caffeine when I inevitably needed it. One of the coolest things about working in this environment is that you’d get to know the staff members there and the others like you. It built a silent and somewhat anonymous sense of community! Or something like that.

• In the sunshine: This can be anywhere in the world, inside or outside. This means I can technically work from anywhere as long as it’s daytime! While I’ve always embraced my inner cat and loved to lounge in the sunshine with a cup of coffee, I’ve also recently discovered that working while being in the sunshine can help me get through a stressful writing project or give me that extra relaxation when I don’t particularly want to work. Working in direct sunlight can be problematic because of the hated screen glare. Still, indirect sunlight is a great mood booster!

How weird am I?

As far as being a freelancer is concerned, how strange are my favourite writing places? Are any of these a match for your own in-the-zone working spots? Do you have any of your own that you’d like to share? If you found this amusing, I will talk about the weirdest spots I’ve worked as a freelancer next time! Any guesses on what those might be?