Into the Writing State of Mind

There are writers that can write in any state, whether indoors or out, in the heat of the desert, and cold of snow, in silence, and in a noisy restaurant. Not me. I can't write but during a cold and quiet night. I'm busy in the day, or sleeping after working, or running errands and taking care of a household and cooking and cleaning and so on.

Autumn is here. I keep my window opened to let in the cool breeze. The nights get cold and quiet and still. My room is cosy and amber-lit by a cheap lamp until I turn off the light and then I just have my laptop for illumination. Writing is bliss when not distracted by summertime. I do miss Michigan J. Frog, though --- he's the lone bullfrog that ribbets under my window. .He's gone for the summer and is replaced by utter silence, except for the very rare life-flight helicopter approaching the landing pad at the hospital two blocks away.

The change in the season means a change in my state of mind. I love the anticipations of Autumn: the preparations for school and holidays and the coming cold of winter.  The same state gets into my writing. I find myself nesting in my room, buying bulk legal pads and a box of rollerball pens and rearranging the furniture so I can write while looking up at the moon from the top half of my window. I prepare the family room so I can sit in front of the fireplace. I dig out my tea set, my crystal glasses for the occasional wine, my baking book. I do a lot of bread-making at this time, and write while enjoying the smell of fresh bread.  No music, no TV, no internet.

Writing late into the night is my default state. And I like that state best during autumn and winter. The heat and humidity of summer makes it difficult for me to get much writing done. It's been that way for several summers now.

BUT, I will be moving to another location, with changes more stark, and summers not so bothersome. My entire writing state will be getting an overhaul! I look forward to it.


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