5 Tips for Making a Creativity Getaway

After a long day of writing and editing projects for clients, I find it challenging to focus on my creative writing projects in the evenings. I’m excited to work on my novel idea every chance I get, but brain overload, long to-do lists, and getting cozy on the couch tend to override thoughts of writing time. But if I take myself away from those pesky calls to do other things, I can focus on my writing. This quick creativity getaway usually has me claiming a café table for an hour or two.

My favorite writing haunts are the Barnes & Noble bookstore café and a local Starbucks that usually has enough seating for me to grab a private table. Venturing into the world does come with its distractions. I’ve listened to a man across the room schedule a doctor’s appointment over speakerphone and cringed every time a high-energy child belly-laughed, which was many, many times. But most of the time, I can tune out the background noise and hone in on my writing.

Here are some things I’ve found helpful in making the most of my creative escapes:

Set a goal for the writing session.

This goal guides my time and helps me feel productive when I meet it. It could be something like write out the plot for the first three chapters or deep dive into my character’s wants and hang-ups.

Don’t bring excess reading material.

If I bring resources I find more interesting than what I’m currently writing, I can easily get off track reading them and not writing. Hello, phone search.

Keep a dedicated book bag for project materials.

I keep my notepad, binder of printed research and worksheets, novel writing guides, focused research material, and pens, highlighter and Post-it notes in a book bag, so it’s easy to grab and take to the café.

Be cautious about cookie intake.

Of course, I order tea or coffee when I’m writing in a café, but there’s also the dessert counter to contend with. I’m all for getting a cookie once in a while, but there may be weeks when I go to the café several times. I can’t always get a cookie!

If getting out of the house isn’t an option, find an alternate space to work in at home.

The motivation to pop out to a café can dissipate with the days getting shorter. Or if something pressing keeps me home, I’ll do my creative work in the bedroom away from my regular work desk. The location move, although not far, helps reset my thinking, putting me on a creative brain wave.

Happy writing!