One of my writing spaces is on the train to and from work. It’s the bridge between home and work life and my favourite ‘me’ time. Writing helps me switch off between the two fast pace areas of my life. The thirty minute journey each way whizzes past as quick as the Kent countryside and my typing keeps up at full speed.
With my laptop perched on my lap or notebook in my hand, I have typed or written thousands of words in the form of blogs, books and notes. Sometimes music helps whilst I am writing; mainly ballads, but never when I am editing. For this I am happy with the faint humming of the train.
Despite what is happening on the train (with the commuters all around me) I can maintain focus and as long as I don’t know anyone on the train I am free from interruptions. I often wish the journey was longer so that I could get more done. If it gets a bit noisy, I use it to my advantage – I once typed a dialogue between two very interesting people. It’s amazing.
Related posts
I’ve just found an excellent and very relevant blog from Clive Shepherd called Want to Write? Get on a Train. He would pay a first class train fare in exchange for a seat in a quiet environment with no interruptions. When he needs to get something done he explains that he’s “better off getting a ticket to somewhere – anywhere – and not getting off until the job’s done”. Reading his blog has made me feel like getting on a train right now as I know how productive I can be in that sort of environment!
If you want to look at things from a different angle, someone has taken the time to write a post called 7 reasons not to write on the train (7Reasons.org).
Do you use your commute to write?
Until tomorrow…
Sandra
Freelance writer
www.sandramadeira.com
(For information on my services as a freelance writer as well as details of my book and other blogs).
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I don’t often get on a train, but when I do, I either seem to be with my daughter or my husband 😦
I’m actually a tiny bit jealous of your commutes 😉 I think I need to change jobs! Lol
Posted by Vikki | December 13, 2011, 8:03 amThanks for your comment Vikki – I couldn’t do without my commutes! Maybe ask for a ‘trip on the train’ for a Christmas present (ha ha) 🙂
Posted by Sandra Madeira | December 13, 2011, 1:38 pm