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Stephanie



Last Updated: 11/20/2009

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Gender: Female
Status: In a Relationship
Age: 39
City: Nashville
State: Tennessee
Country: US
July 22, 2009 - Wednesday 

Category: Writing and Poetry
A while ago, somebody linked me to this site:



What amazed me most is how different each writer's environment was. The guy in the above picture is surrounded by stuff. There's no way I could work with such clutter all around me but some people work better in such environments. Then there are the writers who write in front of a window, overlooking a view:



I've often thought THAT would be the ideal, provided the view was of a beach or the mountains, but let's face it...who needs distraction?

Currently my writing space is a little closer to this guy's:



Without the beautiful floors, of course.

What's the point in writing at a desk if you have a laptop? In fact, I have a much harder time writing at a desk, since I spend all day sitting at a desk. I'd rather kick back on my reclining sofa with my laptop and write.

While I can write much more quickly on the computer, there's something liberating about writing the old-fashioned way -- on a notepad with an ink pen. I'm not quite as antiquated as this guy:



A best-selling author I once met at a romance writing workshop described her writing style. She spent eight to ten hours a day in a recliner, in sweats, writing her books. She felt like she had the life. This guy seems to have discovered the same thing:



There are people who set up shop at Starbucks...often touted as douchebags. They were even hilariously parodied in this scene from Family Guy:



But are they douchebags? Maybe some people just produce better if they are out and around people. After all, that house can get pretty lonely when it's just you, your computer, and the dog curled up on the sofa next to you.

Where do YOU write?

To check out more writer's spaces, go to www.whereiwrite.org.
3:39 PM
 
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Stephanie

 
Firsting with Natasha Beddingfield:


 
Posted by Stephanie on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 10:38 AM
[Reply to this] 
Josh

 
Here.  I'm a troll. 

 
Posted by Josh on July 24, 2009 - Friday - 4:00 AM
[Reply to this] 
Lizzie

 
i usually use the computer on my desk.... but i'm on my feet all day so sitting in my comfy desk chair is a break.. when writing by hand.. in a journal or card i like to jump in the bed with a big pile of pillows behind me... i guess if i had way more time on my hands then i can imagine in the near future i might grab a laptop and go to starbucks and people watch... wow it would be nice to have that much free time

 
Posted by Lizzie on July 23, 2009 - Thursday - 2:07 AM
[Reply to this] 
Joseph Simmons aka "Slow Joe"

 
That must be one big elevator.  She must have used the Service Entrance.

:-)

 
Posted by Joseph Simmons aka "Slow Joe" on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 7:37 PM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
Hahahaha. That's where women go when we're in a department store and say we're going upstairs to women's clothing.

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 23, 2009 - Thursday - 2:21 AM
[Reply to this] 
ǝllǝɥɔɐɹ

 
I was so excited, I had to do this. Sorry Stephanie. :)

WOOHOO I'M NOT ON PAGE 5. :)

 
Posted by ǝllǝɥɔɐɹ on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 10:39 AM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
Good point. I never thought about that. Maybe all the other writers watch it for you. Like a writerly neighborhood watch program.

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 10:53 AM
[Reply to this] 
~Anne~

 
the one and only time i wrote at starbucks (my daughter and i were enjoying a nice day out having coffee) i took it to the bathroom with me. i trust no one! lol

 
Posted by ~Anne~ on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 2:08 PM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
That below picture of the woman typing in the bathroom stall...was that YOU?

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 23, 2009 - Thursday - 2:21 AM
[Reply to this] 
ǝllǝɥɔɐɹ

 
Ha! I would love to write in ANY of the above places. Most of the time, when I think of something I wanna write down, I'm at work, in the car, or sitting amongst the noise of my children fighting with each other in the living room. lol

Between classes at school, I'd usually go to starbucks to study but mostly I'd end up "people-watching" or talking to someone. I get nothing done in Starbucks... I just look cool with a laptop and 1,000 pounds of expensive text books.


 
Posted by ǝllǝɥɔɐɹ on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 10:45 AM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
It's too distracting. Plus Starbucks started charging for Internet access, which is good because it keeps you from straying online, but I can't do it on principle. A place that charges $5 for a cup of coffee should at least provide an hour of free Wi-Fi for anyone who makes a purchase.

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 10:55 AM
[Reply to this] 
lorikatie

 
That is crazy.  I didn't know they charged for that.  They always come up with ways to take our money don't they?  unbelievable.  It is really good coffee though.  :)
 
Posted by lorikatie on July 26, 2009 - Sunday - 12:02 AM
[Reply to this] 
ǝllǝɥɔɐɹ

 
I definately agree. I've only broke down and paid for Internet access there once when I really had to finish up some research. For some reason my laptop, at the time, didn't cooperate well with campus' free Internet connection.
 
Posted by ǝllǝɥɔɐɹ on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 4:10 PM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
There are a LOT of places you can hook onto free wi-fi. Heck, most neighborhoods seem to have at least one idiot with an unsecured wireless connection.

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 23, 2009 - Thursday - 2:22 AM
[Reply to this] 
Elle

 
I sit at my kitchen table.  I just can't get the hang of writing on my laptop in a comfy chair, darn it.
 
Posted by Elle on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 10:49 AM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
I think when I first started writing I sat at the kitchen table. It felt VERY uncomfortable but I was more disciplined. Maybe there's something to that!

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 10:55 AM
[Reply to this] 
Cap'n E®I©!!!

 
Wasn't it J. K. Rowling that said she penned her first ideas on Harry Potter on a napkin in a coffee shop?

I often heard the term "Pretentious" used when referring to Starbuck, laptop typing, wanna-be authors. I'm not sure how pretentious it is, but nowadays these starving artists cannot afford to buy a $4 cup of joe and write.


I write when the feeling compels me. Ideas oft times pop up at the wierdest moments and I have to email them to myself via my cellular phone. But I think it is a good idea to surround yourself with minimal distraction and enough inspiration to write well. I use pen and ink as well as my computer. Whatever is handy when that feeling strikes. The place can be anywhere, from my office, the library, the bookstore, to my bed in the middle of the night, but I don't think I ever wrote anything at a coffeeshop.

This pic still cracks me up
bathroom computer Pictures, Images and Photos

 
Posted by Cap'n E®I©!!! on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 10:53 AM
[Reply to this] 
BlackJack
Lee Griffin

 
The picture didn't show up, it says account inactive. :( Anyways, I feel the need to write sometimes and vent when something is building up inside of me, and talking to my friends, boyfriend, family about it isn't possible, or is far too done over. I know many things bothering me or on my mind now but I don't feel the energy or compelled to put out a blog. I just feel like I complain or whine too much when I"m lucky to have what I have, I just don't see a lot of the positives since I'm in a rut.
 
Posted by BlackJack on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 1:11 PM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
I remember hearing J.K. Rowling was inspired to write Harry Potter while riding back and forth on the train but that could be wrong. And she supposedly wrote a lot of it out long-hand in coffee shops. Someone said she refuses to get a computer and still writes everything out long-hand. No wonder it takes so long!

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 10:57 AM
[Reply to this] 
E.C. Jude

 
Back then I heard she was living out of her car!!!

 
Posted by E.C. Jude on July 23, 2009 - Thursday - 1:58 PM
[Reply to this] 
Cap'n E®I©!!!

 
maybe this will work.

Photobucket

 
Posted by Cap'n E®I©!!! on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 10:54 AM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
That pic is hilarious. It used to be captioned "Can't Get Away from MySpace."

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 10:57 AM
[Reply to this] 
SMARTASSessment Coordinator

 
I don't set up shop at Starbucks.  I grade papers, write instructional materials, and do just about anything I'd otherwise do in my office in fast food places (Jack in the Box or Wendy's, usually).  At least I always buy a "meal" ($7 or more) and don't plug my laptop and cell phone into their electrical outlets.  Airports are another matter.  I pay so many airport fees when I travel that I figure one of them is for the electricity to charge my phone and laptop.  Nashville's airport tried to trick me, you know.  The PA kept saying something about wireless internet access but when I turned my laptop on, it was "pay" access.  Not like Las Vegas' airport, where they have free wi-fi.

 
Posted by SMARTASSessment Coordinator on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 10:54 AM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
There's some service you can subscribe to that gets you wi-fi in these places. Barnes and Noble uses it and some airports use it. Not sure if it's the SAME service for every location. Probably not. When I was traveling a lot I got a Sprint Mobile Broadband card but I ended up rarely using it and I was paying more than $60 a month (including fees) for it. When I canceled it, Sprint informed me that I could save $10 a month because I have the "Simply Everything" plan. So for a year they charged me $10 a month than they should have been.

Yeah, Sprint is DEFINITELY losing me next summer when my contract is up.

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 10:59 AM
[Reply to this] 
sink into [me]

 
I used Sprint for three years.

Then I lost it, too.  My bill kept going up and up and up until finally I realized I was paying 70 bucks a month for 400 minutes and 1000 texts when I could have been getting it all for $40 with internet.  EFF THAT!

I hear Verizon is good.  But I hate T-Mobile.
 
Posted by sink into [me] on July 23, 2009 - Thursday - 4:36 AM
[Reply to this] 
Dangerously addicting, she's Fabbylicious

 
I usually can write anywhere there is a computer.  I prefer to use my laptop since I can carry it anywhere with me.  Sometimes I am that douchebag at Panera or at Borders (I'm not a big coffee drinker).  However I am kind of private about my writings (non-blog related writings) that I usually try to write as quickly as possible.

Lately I've been writing in my room on the bed with my laptop and daytime tv in the background.

 
Posted by Dangerously addicting, she's Fabbylicious on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 11:00 AM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
Meg Cabot writes plopped up on pillows in bed. Now THAT sounds like the life! Panera Bread is a great place to go. They have free wi-fi still, don't they?

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 11:16 AM
[Reply to this] 
Dangerously addicting, she's Fabbylicious

 
That's why I love Panera because of the free wi-fi. I'm not sure about Starbucks since I've only been in one once.

 
Posted by Dangerously addicting, she's Fabbylicious on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 4:32 PM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
It was announced last year they were going to start charging. I think it's $8 a day or something? I guess people were coming in and camping out all day. Either that or they just got greedy. But I say one free hour of wireless for one $5 or more purchase. That's reasonable.

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 23, 2009 - Thursday - 2:22 AM
[Reply to this] 
Ron

 
Technically I do it at the p.c. when I do.  but the idea of using a laptop where ever you are is inviting.

 
Posted by Ron on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 11:12 AM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
I write long-hand on notepad sometimes. It just feels more freeing somehow. The computer is quicker but there's nothing like writing the old-fashioned way.

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 11:17 AM
[Reply to this] 
BlackJack
Lee Griffin

 
I never realized how much energy it took to handwrite things!! I'm always on the computer!
 
Posted by BlackJack on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 1:11 PM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
I can write 2 pages in 10-15 minutes via computer. Longhand, it takes a half an hour or more. Okay, also because when I'm writing longhand I'm usually not FOCUSING the entire time.

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 23, 2009 - Thursday - 2:23 AM
[Reply to this] 
lorikatie

 
When I write longhand It looks like scribble because I am writing so fast.  Also,  if someone finds my writings they won't be able to read it because it is so messy.  I can read it but now one else can.  The writing is that messy. 
 
Posted by lorikatie on July 26, 2009 - Sunday - 12:15 AM
[Reply to this] 
miss apprehensive

 
LOL, I write in a book sometimes that I don't tell anyone about but mostly on my phone or on my pc in the so called dining room in silent when I'm all alone..


what about you?

 
Posted by miss apprehensive on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 11:15 AM
[Reply to this] 
♥Shelly♥

 
I write on my phone too when I am waiting somewhere anywhere.

 
Posted by ♥Shelly♥ on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 11:44 AM
[Reply to this] 
miss apprehensive

 
Yeah, blackberrys are good for that

 
Posted by miss apprehensive on July 23, 2009 - Thursday - 2:07 AM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
Maybe I should get a Blackberry instead of an iPhone next year when my contract is up??? Is it better for writing? Are you guys talking blogs or actual pages of manuscript?

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 23, 2009 - Thursday - 2:24 AM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
You can write on your phone? Mine sucks!

I have a couch that reclines and most of the time that's where I write. Okay, 99 percent of the time that's where I write. Either on the computer or on notepad, depending on my mood. I just wrote two pages this morning sitting here on this couch (my dog got me up early).

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 11:18 AM
[Reply to this] 
Mark Easter the Shoeshine Boy
Mark Easter

 
Usually you will find me at my oval 1930's cherry waterfall dining table, with a cup of steaming rich coffee from the isle of Kona, looking out of tobacco painted my french doors at my backyard with manicured lawn and garden and the mature trees allowing the sun to peek through during the western evening sky.


 
Posted by Mark Easter the Shoeshine Boy on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 11:18 AM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
WOW. I really need to get a better place!

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 11:19 AM
[Reply to this] 
Mark Easter the Shoeshine Boy
Mark Easter

 
if you ever are in southeast missouri, you are always welcome and bring your guy with you too.  He is welcome too.
 
Posted by Mark Easter the Shoeshine Boy on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 7:38 PM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
If we go to Missouri, we'll be kidnapped by family and not allowed away until time to go home! My mom's entire family (8 brothers and sisters and assorted kids and grandkids) lives in the Springfield, Eldon, Versailles area. What part is that?

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 23, 2009 - Thursday - 2:25 AM
[Reply to this] 
recyclesculptor's recycleart
recycleart Nathan Nicholls

 
Since I write mostly in blogs, I write at my desk top. Sometimes in "word". But I am no writer I just like writing what I am thinking and seeing what others think. Sometimes I'm a bit redundant because I keep thinking the same things over and over.

 
Posted by recyclesculptor's recycleart on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 11:23 AM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
I had trouble when I wrote in Word...it converted funny. So I opened an account at Blogger, where they'll allow you to save drafts, and that's where I've always kept my drafts.

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 11:58 AM
[Reply to this] 
BlackJack
Lee Griffin

 
is that through Google? I've opened several blog accounts, yet use this one the most I accidentally forget about the others sometimes.

Do you get paid to blog too?
 
Posted by BlackJack on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 1:12 PM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
No. It's Blogger.com but it's owned by Google so if you post there, you show up pretty high in Google searches. MySpace blogs don't show up in Google searches that I've seen. It's just a completely different environment. I don't get paid to blog but I've met people who do. To do that, you pretty much have to set up your own website and use wordpress or something like that to do your blog. Then you can get advertising if you get enough readers but it's not an easy feat.

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 2:58 PM
[Reply to this] 
lorikatie

 
You can use google adsense on Blogger.com
Blogger Help - Adsense
 
Posted by lorikatie on July 26, 2009 - Sunday - 12:24 AM
[Reply to this] 
Bud
Bud Moeller

 
I'm not much of a writer, more of a reporter! LOL So I am at home on the desktop. xoxo
 
Posted by Bud on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 11:38 AM
[Reply to this] 
Stephanie

 
I remember working for the TV station in college, writing everything on those OLDDDDD computers and printing it out on dot-matrix printers. Usually our stories were scribbled in reporter's notebooks, those long, skinny notebooks that are easy to hold in your hand.

 
Posted by Stephanie on July 22, 2009 - Wednesday - 12:03 PM
[Reply to this] 
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