Writing outside

I recently started going outside to write, inspired by Natalie Goldberg's advice in Writing Down the Bones to practice writing outside of the house. Goldberg describes the significance of this practice, specifically writing in restaurants and cafés, as follows:

“But why go to all this bother? Why not just stay home and write? It is a trick I use. It’s good to change the scenery from time to time, and at home there is the telephone, the refrigerator, the dishes to be washed, a shower to be taken, the letter carrier to greet. It’s good to get away. Also, if you made the effort to get to a café, you can’t leave so quickly to do something else the way you can in your own home.”

I pack my bag, hop on my bike, and ride to a nearby park. This way, I only have one goal to focus on and no distractions. Just like Neil Gaiman when he writes in hotels: he allows himself to write or do nothing, but he can't do anything else. Writing in nature feels similar to me. I can either write or admire the nature in front of me. When I'm having trouble writing, I practice being observant and pay close attention to what's around me.

Despite the summer heat, being in nature always has a soothing effect on me. I hear cicadas and the occasional sound of ducks in a nearby pond. I'm being passed by dog walkers and runners. I break my practice with a quick lunch or snack to reward myself for finishing the work, although writing alone in nature feels rather like a reward in and of itself.

The most difficult part is getting out of the house. But once you do, you create a momentum that instantly makes you feel better about yourself. Starting my day this way gives me a sense of accomplishment and a well-lived day, regardless of what happens later.