Some Things that Make Writing Better

My travel plans for spring, summer, and fall (so far) are stalled. Instead, I’m figuring out what makes writing in place better: 

warm socks, beginnings, focus, patience, coffee, biscuits, glasses, confidence, slippers, a positive attitude, quiet, sunlight, listening, laughter, warmth, health, encouragement, walking, permission to start over, yoga, more coffee, inspiration, writing partners, learning from mistakes, birdsong, affirmation, sharp pencils, joy, time, libraries, humility, sleep, space to spread out, unlimited word count guidelines, updated software, fresh flowers, my favourite coffee mug, a pet nearby, Arial font ©, hope, more coffee, permission to fail, enthusiasm, kindness, Sharpies©, calmness, permission to create, flexibility, lunch breaks, sunbeams, reflection, an uncluttered desk, clarity, more coffee, rest days, extended library loan periods, coloured highlighters, persistence, a plan, the regular visits from the neighbourhood cats, a soft blanket, Post-It notes©, acceptance, a new notebook, the delete key, reflection, acknowledgement that writing is work, understanding, friends, compassion, energy, realistic ideas about how much writing is possible, forgiveness, a good stretch, more coffee, rests, small rewards, low expectations, editing, water, a nice view, affirmation, a new project, a full ink cartridge, a rough draft, soup, Rodney at computing, permission to edit, supportive feedback, an end goal, recognition of ‘good enough’, novels, setting priorities, more coffee, a writing group, an open window, a plan, tranquility, light, other writers, ideas, an open mind, a room of one’s own.