Where do you like to write?

[soflabbwlvr]

I only write in my office, at my desk. I have a desktop pc with two widescreen monitors, and my laptop on standby. I'm surrounded by bookshelves on three sides, and my CD collection. Kind of retro, I know, but the books and bookshelves inspire me and the music keeps me entertained when productions slows.

I have tried working at cafes and coffee shops, but I just can't do it. It's hard to find a seat near an electrical outlet, and I worry about people seeing what's on the screen. My office is quiet, comfortable, and I'm not likely to be interrupted.

 

[rescatooor]

I have tried working at cafes and coffee shops, but I just can't do it. It's hard to find a seat near an electrical outlet, and I worry about people seeing what's on the screen. My office is quiet, comfortable, and I'm not likely to be interrupted.

For me that's the point though! I can't be playing some mindless video game in a cafe. I will be actually working on some or any text that I'm writing. If they get too curious about my writing, I'll just offer them a link to some already finished text

 

[49greg]

I write while sitting on my couch, with a laptop. there's a small table next to me that carries my essentials - water, Dictionary, pen/pencil caddy, pad of paper, the occasional bottle of CocaCola or cup of tea.

I don't often take handwritten notes, occasionally I use the Notes thing on my Iphone when away from home. But I do occasionally do a flowchar/pert type diagram when planning out story actions.

Don't ask me what 'pert' stands for - it's been way way way too long.

 

[Hypoxia]

If I were to imagine an author of erotic literature, I might think that the real work would be done in bed, under the covers, without paper or electronics, just as the sandman is packing up his gear. The rest would be mere elaboration, amplification, embellification, reorganization, spell checking, and whiskey. Necessary finish work, but rarely up to the task.

The inspiration (and much perspiration) may occur undercover but the assemblage usually needs a more sanitized space.

Not all writings are equal, environment-wise. Tech writing worked best for me at a desk with mouse and monitor. Fiction writing and general spewing are best when lounging in my recliner. Songwriting and conspiracy-spinning... those are best dictated into a voice recorder whilst moving: walking, biking, driving, anywhere that induces a flow of thoughts. Sure, record bed sessions too. Carefully.

 

[rescatooor]

Sure, record bed sessions too. Carefully.

If you do take that route, you are legally obligated to notify your bed partner. So very carefully indeed.

 

[J_R_Ashunwhy]

I don't like to write in public places like cafes; I'm too easily distracted by people around me. Plus, writing in some of the suggested spots, like libraries, would just remind me of the hours spent on past research papers. No, thank you.

I prefer taking the laptop outside into the garden if the weather is nice. Otherwise, I'm usually laying out on my stomach on the floor, propped up with a pillow, with the laptop in front of me, or semi-reclined on the couch with the laptop on my lap.

 

[adeleknight]

Scrivener on my iPhone.
It's a little tricky sometimes but I find it easier to escape into that creative space if I'm curled up in bed, lights off, headphones plugged in and typing everything that comes into my head. It feels more like reading a story to myself instead of over thinking the plot and getting caught up in the structure. Once I've got the rough draft down I like to sit at my desk, crammed into the corner of the dinning room and rip apart everything that sounded amazing while half asleep but embarrassing the next morning lol.

 

[oggbashan]

Apart from actually typing the words on the screen, most of my writing is done in my head. That can be anywhere at any time, but is best when I'm lying down in bed half asleep.

 

[HandsInTheDark]

If I were to imagine an author of erotic literature...

Ew. Male, late 40s, balding, fat, slightly bulging eyes. Hentai poster on the wall, old, curling, autographed by some no-name voice actress. Half-eaten food nearby, of the microwaved variety. Old tower computer, dusty, running Windows XP, a young emma watson as the screen background. Tabs to Infowars and porn sites open. A shortcut to the breakup note from his last girlfriend, circa 1998. Rock in the background, but not too loud so he doesn't wake his mom/sister/whatever. Pile of used kleenex that missed the trashcan, crowning empty soda cans. Occasionally muttered "fuck yeah!" as his eyes glitter and shift in the dim monitor's light. Pile of unopened mail nearby.

Thanks so much for inviting that into my head. Geh. I'm going to switch to children's lit now.

 

[Hypoxia]

Ew. Male, late 40s, balding, fat, slightly bulging eyes. Hentai poster on the wall, old, curling, autographed by some no-name voice actress. Half-eaten food nearby, of the microwaved variety. Old tower computer, dusty, running Windows XP, a young emma watson as the screen background. Tabs to Infowars and porn sites open. A shortcut to the breakup note from his last girlfriend, circa 1998. Rock in the background, but not too loud so he doesn't wake his mom/sister/whatever. Pile of used kleenex that missed the trashcan, crowning empty soda cans. Occasionally muttered "fuck yeah!" as his eyes glitter and shift in the dim monitor's light. Pile of unopened mail nearby.

I knew such but they were two brothers (as described here) in their big family home... filled with cats. And insufficient cat-boxes. What a reek. Another I knew kept a pet fringed iguana, that's a big guy, and wow does he shit! I think impaired scent is vital to such authors. And they tend to squint when outdoors in natural light (rarely).

 

[ChloeTzang]

Ew. Male, late 40s, balding, fat, slightly bulging eyes. Hentai poster on the wall, old, curling, autographed by some no-name voice actress. Half-eaten food nearby, of the microwaved variety. Old tower computer, dusty, running Windows XP, a young emma watson as the screen background. Tabs to Infowars and porn sites open. A shortcut to the breakup note from his last girlfriend, circa 1998. Rock in the background, but not too loud so he doesn't wake his mom/sister/whatever. Pile of used kleenex that missed the trashcan, crowning empty soda cans. Occasionally muttered "fuck yeah!" as his eyes glitter and shift in the dim monitor's light. Pile of unopened mail nearby.

Thanks so much for inviting that into my head. Geh. I'm going to switch to children's lit now.

Meanwhile, Chloe sits there contemplating these images and saying "Aiiyaaaah! Tell me it ain't so, Joe."

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51YyJurYBHL._SX384_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

 

[KenNicottii]

The ideas for my latest, “The Flume at Falcon Rock,” were starting to flow during the many idle moments while traveling in recent months. Sitting in the airport, or more perilously, crammed into coach on the plane. Does one dare whip out the tablet and start writing? Hey, why not?

I use a Kindle-sized tablet with a fairly small, hard to read font along with a stylus and a fold-up keyboard. Of course any behavior outside of narrowly approved norms once you’re on a plane can trigger unforeseen consequences, but it wasn’t like I was watching some hardcore website’s offerings without headphones. Just drafting some boring “report” for work.

Sure, you rotate the tablet on its easel to make it a little harder for your seatmate to offer unwanted suggestions. And it helps to adopt a weary, sad countenance with frequent sighs and yawns, like you can't believe how depressing your job is that makes you work on the plane instead of being able to kick back and relax. Still, I doubt I would attempt this while sitting next to a female—way too risky.

PS: Literotica is blocked on every airport free Wi-Fi I've ever used; the mobile phone is your friend.

 

[rutger5]

Ew. Male, late 40s, balding, fat, slightly bulging eyes. Hentai poster on the wall, old, curling, autographed by some no-name voice actress. Half-eaten food nearby, of the microwaved variety. Old tower computer, dusty, running Windows XP, a young emma watson as the screen background. Tabs to Infowars and porn sites open. A shortcut to the breakup note from his last girlfriend, circa 1998. Rock in the background, but not too loud so he doesn't wake his mom/sister/whatever. Pile of used kleenex that missed the trashcan, crowning empty soda cans. Occasionally muttered "fuck yeah!" as his eyes glitter and shift in the dim monitor's light. Pile of unopened mail nearby.

Thanks so much for inviting that into my head. Geh. I'm going to switch to children's lit now.

Describing yourself I wonders?

 

[PuckIt]

Ew. Male, late 40s, balding, fat, slightly bulging eyes. Hentai poster on the wall, old, curling, autographed by some no-name voice actress. Half-eaten food nearby, of the microwaved variety. Old tower computer, dusty, running Windows XP, a young emma watson as the screen background. Tabs to Infowars and porn sites open. A shortcut to the breakup note from his last girlfriend, circa 1998. Rock in the background, but not too loud so he doesn't wake his mom/sister/whatever. Pile of used kleenex that missed the trashcan, crowning empty soda cans. Occasionally muttered "fuck yeah!" as his eyes glitter and shift in the dim monitor's light. Pile of unopened mail nearby.

Thanks so much for inviting that into my head. Geh. I'm going to switch to children's lit now.

Dude! I didn't front YOU out like that. And quit peeking in my windows, you perv!

You too, smurfy!

 

[HandsInTheDark]

Describing yourself I wonders?

Don't be absurd. I would not be caught dead running windows XP.

 

[49greg]

Right now it doesn't matter where I want to write, because I'm down in the basement listening to wild thunder and tornado warning sirens. yup, the wonderful midwest built up a storm just east of us, and pointed it right at us.

No wonder though, It's extremely hot and humid. This morning at seven it was 71 degrees F, and 95% humidity. The heat index now is 109F (43 C), with that kind of heat and humidity it was inevitable for a T-storm to develop. In this case a Big one, potentially trailing satan's finger nail behind it.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Don't be absurd. I would not be caught dead running windows XP.

Recently I discovered that the train system here runs on Win XP boxes... which are running a PDP-11 emulator. Is "computer archaeologist" a profession yet?

Re. the OP: a good keyboard cover is a worthwhile investment for anybody who works on a laptop keyboard.

 

[Hypoxia]

Recently I discovered that the train system here runs on Win XP boxes... which are running a PDP-11 emulator. Is "computer archaeologist" a profession yet?

George RR Martin writes with Wordstar 4.0 on a DOS machine.

Maybe that's why it's six years between GAME OF THRONES volumes.

 

[oggbashan]

Recently I discovered that the train system here runs on Win XP boxes... which are running a PDP-11 emulator. Is "computer archaeologist" a profession yet?

...

It has been one of the factors that enabled India to build up computer expertise. There were and are several Indian companies that specialise in ancient hardware and software. They can write programs in almost any old language, for DOS platforms and even CP/M. Many government and quasi-governmental organisations around the world still use ancient mainframes or repurposed old PCs for infrastructure. There is a considerable market in sub-Saharan Africa for ancient portable hardware that is better than no computing power at all.

Locally I know a community activist who still uses her Amstrad PCW to write letters. She uses the library's internet access, but her extensive correspondence is printed on a dot-matrix printer with continuous fan-fold paper.

http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/userdata/images/large/PRODPIC-528.jpg

 

[HandsInTheDark]

George RR Martin writes with Wordstar 4.0 on a DOS machine.

Having spent a few minutes recently trying to get Word to indent a paragraph, I've come to the conclusion that a 1980's editor that just puts things where you tell it to is of more value than all the "smart" editors we have today. It's like having an obsessive-compulsive three year old between you and the text.

But nothing has ever exceeded for me that horror that was Clippy. Remember Clippy? Just wait until all your kitchen appliances are as smart as Clippy. People will starve.

 

[Hypoxia]

But nothing has ever exceeded for me that horror that was Clippy. Remember Clippy? Just wait until all your kitchen appliances are as smart as Clippy. People will starve.

That could be marketed as a cure for the obesity epidemic, heh heh.

 

[Bramblethorn]

But nothing has ever exceeded for me that horror that was Clippy. Remember Clippy? Just wait until all your kitchen appliances are as smart as Clippy. People will starve.

https://twitter.com/internetofshit has some entertaining/terrifying reading.

This one has story potential: https://twitter.com/msnaughty/status/885002830280617984