Author’s Life: My Favorite Writing Spots

One of the most frequently asked questions I get as an author—apart from "Where do your ideas come from?"—is "Where do you write?"

The truth? More often than not, I’m propped up in bed with a mug of tea balanced precariously on the bedside table and a blanket tangled around my legs. Not very romantic, I know, but writing, at its heart, is less about glamour and more about grit. Still, I’ve learned that where I write can shape how I write. So, I’ve experimented over the years—seeking out corners of peace, sparks of beauty, and spaces that shift the way my stories unfold.

Today, I want to share some of my favourite writing spots. Some are real, some imagined. Some are structured for deep productivity, others are spontaneous and full of soul, and if you’re a writer yourself, I hope these inspire you to think creatively about where your words might flourish.

1. The Classic: Writing in Bed

Let’s start with the honest truth—my number one writing spot is my bed. It’s not a Pinterest-perfect workspace. There’s no ergonomic chair, no minimalist desk. Just pillows, a blanket throw, and my laptop, but here’s why I love it: it’s safe. It’s soft. It feels like being cradled by your own world, which is exactly what writing often requires. Especially when I’m working on something emotionally vulnerable or poetic, this space gives me the comfort to go deep. I'm often sharing this space with my little dog, Bear, and my lovely cat, Roxy.

Tip: If you write in bed, invest in a laptop tray, a supportive back pillow, and a good lamp. It’s not the healthiest writing position, but it can be a nurturing one.

2. The Hidden Café Corner

There’s a café about a 10-minute walk from my house. It's tucked away between a bookshop and a florist, and you’d miss it if you weren’t looking. I like to slide into the corner seat, order a latte and a cinnamon bun, and watch the world through the condensation-blurred window.

Writing in cafés, for me, is a way of staying connected. I can dip into dialogue while snippets of conversation drift past me. I watch mannerisms, facial expressions, interactions—and sometimes I steal them (thank you, strangers). It’s energising and grounding.

Tip: Bring headphones if you're easily distracted. Create a playlist that tells your brain "it’s writing time." Also, order something you truly enjoy—it becomes a ritual.

3. The Library Nook

Libraries have a kind of hush that feels sacred. I have a favourite spot in the old town library—tucked between the poetry shelves and the travel section, next to a leaded window that lets in golden afternoon light.

This is where I go when I want focus and silence. It’s perfect for research, editing, or planning a new story, and being surrounded by books? It’s like writing in a cathedral of words.

Tip: Keep a notebook handy for non-writing ideas too—reading titles and blurbs can spark unexpected story threads.

4. The Garden Table

On sunny spring mornings or crisp autumn afternoons, I take my notebook or laptop into the garden. I set up a small wooden table under the climbing roses, where bees hum and petals fall like tiny paper dreams.

There’s something about being surrounded by green things that unlocks a different pace of writing. It becomes gentler, more lyrical. This is my favourite spot when I'm feel poetic and creating children’s stories, and anything that wants a little magic.

Tip: Bring a cushion, sun hat, and your drink of choice. If you're worried about glare on a laptop screen, write longhand with a beautiful pen—it slows you down in the best way.

5. On the Steps of the Beach Hut

Living by the sea is one of life’s quiet luxuries, and some of my favourite writing moments happen just a few steps from home. When the weather is kind, I take my notebook down to the beach and perch on the worn wooden steps of a pastel beach hut, toes in the sand, salt in the air.

There’s something grounding about being so close to the sea—the rhythm of the waves, the calls of seagulls, the laughter of children in the distance. It’s not always about productivity here. Sometimes I just sit and let the breeze tangle my thoughts until the knots loosen. It’s the perfect place for freewriting, journaling, or exploring a new character's voice.

The horizon feels like an invitation to imagine more widely, and somehow, I always leave with a little more clarity than I arrived with.

Tip: If you’re lucky enough to live near the coast, claim it as part of your creative routine. Keep a blanket or a small cushion handy to sit on, and don’t be afraid to use your phone for voice notes when the wind makes writing tricky. Inspiration loves the sound of the sea.

6. The Holiday Cottage Writing Retreat

Now and then, I treat myself to a solo writing retreat. Nothing fancy—just a little rented cottage, ideally with a wood-burning stove, a view of hills or sea, and no Wi-Fi.

These short breaks are when I dig deep into a project. I bring snacks, my cosiest socks, and a stack of books. I write in long, immersive sessions, then take walks with Bear to let ideas settle. It’s a way to fall back in love with the craft when I’m feeling burnt out.

Tip: Even one night away can refresh your creativity. Look for last-minute deals, or plan a "retreat day" at home where you don’t do chores or check emails.

7. The Night-Writing Window

Sometimes, the best writing happens when the world has gone to sleep. On those quiet, late nights, I curl up by the upstairs window with a notebook and let my thoughts spill out by moonlight.

There’s something intimate about writing in the dark. It feels like confession. The words don’t have to be perfect—they just have to be true.

Tip: Use a warm lamp or fairy lights to create a gentle glow. Keep a thick blanket nearby and a hot drink for comfort.

8. The Station Platform

This one might sound odd, but hear me out. I once wrote an entire chapter while waiting for a delayed train. There was something about the waiting, the comings and goings, the sense of movement—all paired with having nothing else to do—that made the writing flow.

Now, when I travel, I often arrive early on purpose. I find a bench, pull out my notebook, and write. It’s like tapping into a collective sense of journey.

Tip: Travel light—just a pen and paper or a slim tablet. Let the moment shape what you write.

9. The Rainy Window Nook

There’s something deeply comforting about writing beside a window when the rain begins to fall. I’ll often set up a tray with a mug of tea, a flickering candle, and maybe a few squares of chocolate for good measure. With the window slightly ajar and the rain drumming gently on the glass, the world slows down just enough for me to listen to the story taking shape.

This is the place for writing atmosphere—for ghostly forests, windswept moors, or longing glances beneath umbrellas. The light dims, the candle glows, and somehow my words soften and stretch, like they know they’re safe to unfurl here.

Tip: Create a sensory ritual for rainy writing days. Choose a favourite blanket, a playlist of soft piano or ambient rain sounds, and a candle scent you return to every time. These small elements train your brain to associate the space with creativity.

10. The Moss-Covered Fairy Swing

When life feels heavy or too loud, I let myself drift into a space that doesn’t exist on any map. Deep in a leafy glade, hidden from the world, is a moss-covered swing hung from the low branch of an ancient tree. Wildflowers weave through the ropes, the air smells of damp earth and crushed petals, and sunlight filters through the canopy like golden lace.

This is where I write the magical things. Stories about forgotten kingdoms, lost memories, or secret friendships. When I close my eyes and picture myself gently swaying there, barefoot and notebook in hand, the words come differently—more like whispers than thoughts. It’s my escape and my home all at once.

Tip: If you don’t have a physical writing sanctuary, create one in your imagination. Describe it in detail, return to it often, and let it hold space for your creativity. Even the act of picturing it can help open your mind to new ideas.

Creating Your Own Writing Space: Practical Tips

If you’re looking to build or improve your own writing haven, here are a few suggestions:

1. Comfort matters – Whether you like a desk, a beanbag, or a pile of pillows, make sure your body can relax into the space. Writing is hard enough without a sore neck.

2. Signal the shift – Use rituals to tell your brain it’s writing time. Light a candle, put on a playlist, brew a special tea.

3. Minimise distractions – Put your phone on airplane mode, use apps like Freedom or Forest (screen time control apps), and keep only what you need nearby.

4. Let beauty in – Surround yourself with things that inspire you: quotes, books, plants, photographs, art. It doesn’t have to be expensive—just meaningful.

5. Give yourself permission to roam – Your writing spot doesn’t have to be static. Try different places, indoors and out. Notice how the environment changes your tone, your rhythm, your ideas.

Final Thoughts

In the end, writing spaces are as personal as the stories we tell. You might write best in a bustling café, a silent room, or curled on the sofa with your cat. Or maybe you’re like me, mostly writing in bed but dreaming of that fairy swing in a leafy glade.

There is no “perfect” spot—only the place where your words can breathe, so wherever that may be, honour it. Make it yours. Let it hold you while you work your quiet magic.

If you're still searching? Start small. Try a new corner of your home. Go outside for ten minutes. Light a candle at dusk and see what comes. Writing spaces are like seeds—they grow as your stories grow.

What matters most is not where you write. It’s that you write.

Where do you write? I’d love to hear about your own writing spaces—especially the surprising ones. Share them in the comments or tag me on Instagram @nancystarlingauthor.

Until next time, may your words find their way home.