Train Yourself to Write Anywhere

I have found the perfect spot to sit and write. I’ve been working on a book that’s evolved into four different ones and need a place other than my home office to get on with it. 

There's a little tearoom in Richmond – the most romantic town in all of England, as James Herriot would have it – which has a table for two upstairs (although set at a squeeze for three). It's my perfect perch, sitting in the window of the slimmest Edwardian nook overlooking the bustle of Trinity Square. Just below, visitors, farmers, tradesmen and lovers trip up and down the ancient cobbles and never think to look up to catch me spying on them, tapping erratically at my laptop in between gulps of Earl Grey Tea and a butter-drenched cheese scone.

I’m distracted by the family of five who have squeezed themselves around the only other table in the tiny room, two of them taking the unused chairs from mine with a polite nod. Their convivial conversation I didn’t mind. But that evolved into something else once the waitress had visited their table and left them with a feast fit for a few kings. 

Now, every single one of them eats with his mouth wide open and talks with it half full. Half an agonising hour of slurps, slops and belches for me to write to as accompaniment from the only other table in the cosy room.  

I am used to writing with background noise. I spent years writing radio campaigns in noisy, open plan sales offices with phones ringing, the radio playing, execs asking me for last-minute 'urgent' favours ... you'd think that I'd be able to tune out this latest affray on my ears. I kick myself under the table, demanding myself to concentrate and to block them out. Now I have the symphony of body noises plus a sore shin to ignore.

Am I just looking for another excuse not to write, or is this a really legit reason to stall?

Many writers learn how to write in various places, with all sorts of distractions around them. It takes training, though: if you've never written anywhere other than in one spot, you'll find it hard writing somewhere else at first. If you find it impossible to write with background chatter around you, try it out first with some quiet, classical or chill out music - something without lyrics so that you're not distracted. Take it slowly, changing your environment by adding something new to it only when you are comfortable.

When you know that you can write in different environments without giving in to distraction, you'll be able to identify when you're merely procrastinating, stop it and refocus.

My problem in the tearoom is, I think, a legit reason to stall. The noises are not only new but a real challenge for me to ignore. I guess that some environments are just too overpowering for a writer to think ...

I look down at the blur of words in front of me and pat myself on the back. I’m usually critical of a first draft, but this is the first time I’ve had to stop myself throwing up over one.