My friend and I hop on a Zoom call every week, chat about life updates, and then write together. Our joint writing sessions last about an hour or two before we go our separate ways for the day. Meeting with her is a fun and helpful way to remain accountable for my writing goals and makes writing feel less alone (the craft can be solitary—but it doesn’t have to be).
We got to talking during one of our sessions about how she used to meet with a friend in a coffee shop and write for a larger chunk of hours. I was immediately intrigued. I could only imagine how productive I could be! So many stories written, so many revisions made, so many poems penned. The next week, we tried it out ourselves.
The night before, we sent each other our writing plans for the next day. We met at the coffee shop early Saturday morning (I was about half an hour late, but I did get there eventually!) and got started. There’s something about having an in-person writing buddy that makes everything feel more personal and united. We sat across from each other at our table and worked. Sometimes we came up for air or to talk. Then we put our heads back down and got back to work. We updated each other on how our plans were going as we went.
I think I expected 4 hours in a coffee shop to feel longer than it did. But I came with a plan, a whole list of various projects I wanted to work on, and I made it about halfway into that list before our time was up. The whole experience left me feeling productive, social, and disciplined. Instead of trying to get myself out of my apartment and into a new environment to write, dragging my feet the whole way, I walked into the coffee shop with high expectations and walked out feeling satisfied—almost like I was a real writer or something?
Crazy.
Especially in cold winters, I don’t often want to leave my nice, warm home and two cuddly soft cats. I want to write right here, and I don’t want to give energy to being social if I can reserve that energy for writing and being creative. But this introvert learned she could have her cake and eat it too. A nice change of pace works wonders for the imagination. And a change of environment every once in a while? Personally, I find it necessary.
My friend and I still meet weekly over Zoom. But lately, we’ve considered doing more in-person writing sessions, both at the coffee shop again or at each other’s homes. I find that my writing process is growing and evolving as I do, and I’m excited to see where it goes next.
Don’t be afraid to break from routine! Find yourself a writing partner, set aside a chunk of time, and create. What might seem like abandoning your comfort zone might just solidify your writing schedule more than you know.
Photo by Kris Atomic on Unsplash
Rachel Sandell 