Reflections on a discussion at the GCYFRG Writing Retreat 2019
Katherine Brailsford, 2ndyear PhD student, University of Portsmouth
Writing, a word that can provoke fear or joy, but for academic research, there is no way around it, it has to be done. However, what can we do to make this process easier, well as geographers, of course, we look to the environment around us. What makes a good writing environment? A question that we pondered over in our introduction session at the recent GCYFRG writing retreat in the stunning Cotswolds. Luckily, we had some budding artists present and the image to the right displays some of our ideas. Please note these are just ideas and the main thing to remember is the perfect writing environment is one that works for you! But it never hurts to hear some new ideas. So, let me take you on a sensory exploration of some key features of what made a good writing environment for participants of the writing retreat.
Writing Environment @Collins_R_C
SOUND:
It may not be the most obvious place to start but actually, this area presented an area of key debate amongst participants. For some silence was the go-to sound of choice, providing space for the ideas to flow without auditory distractions. For others heavy loud rock music was the top choice, getting the adrenaline pumping in order to be most productive. But what we did agree on, and it’s the same for all the following categories the task at hand really did dictate our music choices.
TOUCH:
A sense that we may not immediately associate with writing, but for many participants at the retreat having a comfortable place to work was a must. Ranging from the chair we sit on through to the clothes we wear- and for me, a comfy blanket is a must! Then came the kryptonite amongst many the mobile phone (insert dramatic music). For many phones can provide a big source of distraction, as we just have to check our social media feeds, the news, weather or play just one round of our favourite app-based games. A soft groan spread amongst us as somebody bravely mentioned their mobile phone. But hope was not lost as some clever distraction taming apps were mentioned. The Forest App lets you plant a virtual tree that overtime grows, but if you leave the app, the tree dies. Oh, and by the way, your virtual tree represents the planting of a real tree on Earth with uses of the app resulting in the planting of over 400,000 trees! Other apps mentioned included those based around the Pomodoro technique, timing 25 minutes before a 5-minute break. the last but most frightening app mentioned was The most dangerous writing app where the user sets a writing time ranging from 3 to 60 minutes but if they stop typing for over 5 seconds all their progress will be deleted, gulp!
SIGHT:
A sense that was greatly helped by the location of the writing retreat in the stunning Cotswolds, as the images to the right show, visually we were spoilt, and for some participants at the retreat what they can see is an important aspect of their writing environment. A nice view, natural light, and having a space to spread out all key contributors. Whilst some liked to write alone, for others, chatting with a writing buddy can really help with progress, someone there to talk through stumbling blocks with.
Scenery 2 @HadfieldHill
TASTE:
Caffeine the human fuel, but too much or too little seemed to be a sticking point amongst participants. For some, they cannot start their writing without a cup of Columbia’s finest next to them. Nevertheless, for others, too much caffeine can lead to little progress as they become jittery and fidgety. Tea as a fine refreshment was also mentioned with some mentioning their mug of choice for a productive writing session. For others, pure H20 was enough and they liked to have a big bottle on hand, so they did not need to leave their desk. Snacks my greatest weakness, were mentioned for some these consisted of nuts, blueberry’s and other fuel food that they could have nearby, so they did not need to interrupt the flow. For others, a mean custard cream or two was the snack of choice and could act as a reward based on writing progress.
OTHERS:
Other elements mentioned included the alluring nature of chores when writer’s block hits, or motivation levels are at an all-time low. For some, the writing retreat provided a perfect escape from the everyday chores at home allowing time and space to focus because it is amazing how necessary hoovering or re-arranging your sock drawer becomes when you have no motivation to write!
Overall, the takeaway message from our conversation is that what makes a good writing environment is different for us all, and whatever helps us get words on paper is valid. But for me, the other key message from the retreat is to remember that we can create what we think is the best writing environment for us, but we are not machines, we have our unproductive hours, our down days and that’s ok. Talk to someone, share your concerns, because chances are, they have been where you are or might be experiencing those exact feelings too.
Scenery @HadfieldHill