Sure, I dream of a dedicated writing room with rows of books on shelves around the walls, a comfy chair with lamp and side table, a large surface area desk with ergonomic chair for my computer… and yeah, a dog bed nearby for a napping dog buddy.

But then reality creeps in.

I work as well as write, I have an active family – some who need shuttling around town – and the dog, well, she’d rather I sit on a couch with her a blanket than be at a desk. Instead, I have to find places to write amid my life and movements.

Consequently, here are some places I’ve written my books:

  • Coffee shop at 5 am opening time (yeah, classic, but nice and quiet)
  • Backstage at a theatre (using two chairs facing each other to better prop up my computer)
  • In the back room of a museum (don’t ask – I look pretty happy in the picture though!)
  • Desk at home (amid the clutter and noise of family)
  • Coffee shop at closing time (naturally)
  • Couch at home (yeah, I pandered to the dog for this one – call me weak)
  • College hallway lounge (surprisingly comfortable chairs and good plug-ins)
  • Airline seat (which movies make look a lot more comfortable than reality)
  • Hotel room (superbly quiet and free of distractions)
  • A boat at anchor (yeah, totally romantic, but the sunlight is blinding, the table is at a poor height for ergonomics and well, no power, so you’re on a time limit)

Do I have a favourite? Not really. I suppose I enjoy the variety – even if it’s because I have to enjoy it. What I need, however, is a dedicated amount of time to focus at any given session. The minimum time? Probably one hour for the most effective writing session, but I know I’ve written with less.

Life doesn’t stop to allow time to write. You just have to carve it out where and whenever there’s an opportunity. With the third edition of my “Film Production Management” book coming out in January (and its completion moment on the living room couch where the dog abandoned me for the floor, oh well), I’d say I found the time and the many, many places to write. You can too.

Cheers & a good writing session to you,
Deb

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Where is Deb?

Mon. Oct. 14 – Raindance’s Boozin’ n Schmoozin’ Networking for Independent Filmmakers, London UK

FYI, the third edition of “Film Production Management 101” is coming to bookstores and online in January 2025, but available now for pre-order (e.g. on Amazon, Amazon Canada, Indigo-Chapters).