The Importance of Writing Spaces

I just know I'd get so much more done if this was my permanent spot...

I don't know about you, but I often feel like I'm on the hunt for that "perfect" writing spot. 

My usual spot in my apartment is a small desk in the living room, facing a wall. It may not sound ideal, but I have a few books and pens and pencils nearby, and it faces away from the window, which is good for me so I don't get distracted. 

But there are times - many, actually, in Brooklyn - when the cabin fever hits and I have to find a new writing spot for awhile. Cafes can be nice, but they usually require you to buy something unless you want to hide in some dark back corner, and the libraries around here are more like school cafeterias than inspiring hubs of creativity. It's the fluorescent lighting. 

No, for me, you actually can't beat the great outdoors for a writing spot. It's rather ubiquitous, it's free, and if you choose well, the views can be stunning. The nearest park to my home - Brooklyn Bridge Park - is usually a favorite. They have these nice little tables and chairs where one can set up and write, although the glare from the sun can be defeatist at times. And wi-fi can be a problem, if you need to do some research. 

But last week, my wife and I vacationed in Sturbridge, Massachusetts for a week. The hotel where we stayed was on a lake, and there were picnic benches in a little grove of trees on the bank near our room. It didn't get much better than that. 

I was particularly well-served there as I worked on a sermon I'm giving in church this Sunday on the importance and power of words. On the bank of that lake, it somehow didn't take me too long until the words weren't hard to find and the sentence construction seemed as natural as breathing. 

I'm not usually one to espouse the "magic" of the creative process, as I firmly believe that the bulk of good work is far more perspiration than inspiration. But I do think there's something to be said for the way a certain spot, whether natural or one you make for your own, can help the work along. 

What about you? Do you have a favorite place to get work done, creative or otherwise? Post in the comments!