For the next few weeks, at least -- but maybe all summer, we’ll see how it goes!- I am going to be sending short updates with one thing I am doing that week to keep my personal creative practice afloat. Follow along if you’re the kind of person who likes to read about routines and daily habits, wants a tiny peek into my inner life, or wants to watch me try and succeed (and also dramatically fail?!) in real time.
This week, the one thing I am did to keep my creative practice afloat was: I RENTED A ROOM!
Look at this cute little office space at the library. It’s cozy, it’s pretty much soundproof, and it’s FREE. I have four more hours booked over the weekend.
The part of summer I seem to have blocked out, is that unless I am extremely proactive and organized I am almost never alone.
This means that this week, I basically got nothing done. And by nothing I mean no creative writing, but a lot of child-wrangling and some cool creative writing-adjacent things, including driving to McMinnville, Oregon to interview Norah Lange at the public library, and then having a long, late dinner with Norah and her dearests where we talked about M.F.K. Fisher, food, writing, antique diamond rings, local chardonnay, home invasions, and past lives. (Norah was raised in the Willamette Valley, and I worked and lived there, too, and it’s kind of amazing we only met yesterday - though maybe we did meet before, and just don’t remember it…?)
Prepping for the event took a bit of work and energy, as did the evening itself. But, the big reverse outline of my novel has to be done, and soon. So while normally I wouldn’t worry about a fallow week, I’ve felt myself scrambling to identify chunks of time when I can work AND a have quiet/private place to do it. (Because seriously, there is always a child around -!)
My visit to the McMinnville Public Library made me think about a recent visit to the new Hillsdale Public Library and the little meeting rooms, all lined up so bright and cheery. They are so easy to reserve (all you need is a library card + pin) and so comfortable - a literal container for my summer writing practice.
(Where were my children while I was locked in a library meeting room, you ask? Aren’t they always around? I hired a sitter for a few hours, which is, honestly, probably the real one thing I am did to keep my creative practice afloat and always feels like a luxury.)
So, that’s it, my one thing for the week. I rented a room. You?
If you’re looking for a super easy, low-stakes way to keep accountable this summer, chime in with the one thing you’re doing this week to keep your creative practice/manuscript/project afloat. And stay tuned! Next week, I REALLY HAVE to finish my outline — I’m leaving on Wednesday for New York, Connecticut and the Southampton Writers Conference.
Can I do it?
Bon Courage!
Anne
That is a cool room! I've never seen that at my library--though I am sure there is something similar at the downtown central library here in LA as it's huge. This week I had childcare and so I was able to spend my days working. Lit a bit of a fire under me--I wanted to get 15 pages. I got 9.5 in the end, plus newsletter writing (banked one for next week too). Not too shabby!
Hi Anne! I was a student of yours a few years ago. I have thoroughly enjoyed your updates and look forward to learning more about your progress this summer. I know how hard it can be with kids around!
Ginny Justice