If you have access to a smart phone or other digital device, it is hard to make an excuse for not writing. If you have more than one internet enabled device such as a tablet, laptop, or PC, you are truly empowered to write anywhere. I have written in all of the following:
- Trains
- My house
- Other people’s houses
- A public park
- Airports
- Airplanes
I store all my writing on the cloud. This means that I can write on my phone and then switch to my laptop and keep working on the same file. I use Microsoft OneDrive, it’s free, but you can use your choice of storage provider. They all offer premium services with more space, but OneDrive gives you 5 GB for free and you’ll never fill that up with just writing, so you don’t have to worry about that!
There are many writing tools out there, but I use Microsoft Word. I subscribe to Microsoft Office 365 for $100 a year, which gives me access to their full suite for 6 users on all my devices. This has been a bargain for me since I use Excel and the other applications for other purposes. Again, you can use one of the free services out there, or even just send yourself an email with your writing.
I am sad to say that I have done most of my writing on the phone. I’ve never been good at using mobile devices, they’re too small for me. Maybe I’m old school, but a proper keyboard, screen (or two), and mouse are my favorite mode of work. I’m just not as effective on a mobile device (are you? I’m interested to know). I spend more time in traditionally inconvenient places that only allow me to use my phone. I commute on public transport every day, so I have plenty of time to write, if not in the most accommodating spaces.
This is not so bad, actually. The truth is, writing takes time. So even though a phone doesn’t allow me to type at 60 WPM (I just tested myself, pretty good!), it doesn’t matter too much because each sentence takes a minute or more to concoct.
If you don’t have a personal device, I would recommend using a computer at a public library. I’ve never done it myself, but it would be the perfect, quiet place to write. You can use your free cloud storage to save your work and come back to it whenever you have time.
Do you write? What are your habits and tools? Leave a comment and share.
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