They all get pushed to the back burner. But writing? That remains my go-to outlet. In fact, I’m even more inspired to write when I’m away from home, and I somehow end up getting more words down each day on average. Go figure.

But when I’m home, my favorite place to write is my spare bedroom, which I’ve converted into an office. Now, I wouldn’t call myself organized by any stretch. But if you asked me where something was, I’d be able to hand it to you in seconds. You see, I live in what some call “organized chaos.” Books, notebooks, journals…there’s a fair bit scattered around. But to me, every single item has its place.

To an outsider, it might look like a bit of a whirlwind, but I know exactly where everything is. This is my little writing cave. I like it because, here, there’s nothing new to distract me. It’s all familiar, and that’s a good thing. It lets me slip into the zone almost immediately. Once that door is closed, I’m off-limits, and no one disturbs me unless the house is on fire.

That said, I’m a flexible writer and can get words down almost anywhere. Hotel rooms, cabins in the woods, airports, transatlantic flights—you name it, I’ve probably written there. The only problem is that public places are a bit of a sensory overload for me, with all the distractions. I’ve got what I call a “squirrel mind,” and it takes me a while to focus. So unless I have enough time to settle in and find my flow, I don’t even try. But if I do have time to get focused, then once I’m in the zone, I’m golden. I’ll just set a timer to remind me when I need to stop and go for it.

Of all the places I’ve written, my absolute favorite was an oceanfront condo we rented one winter on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The place was paradise: sweeping views of the ocean, gentle breezes, and sunsets that could take away your breath. I felt completely in my element there.

There was a cozy sitting area on the balcony, complete with a chaise lounge. I ordered a fold-up desk, the kind you’d use for breakfast in bed, and set up shop right there. I spent hours at that little desk, surrounded by the sounds and smells of the sea. If I could go back there every winter, I absolutely would.

Many of my author friends go on writing retreats, but I haven’t been on one yet. I’d love to do an author retreat someday, somewhere remote and surrounded by nature—ideally a place with no crowds and zero distractions.

I’ve also thought about going solo, packing enough food and snacks for a week, and just immersing myself in writing. I’ve seen other authors do that when they’re up against a deadline. Since I self-publish, I’m not often under that kind of intense pressure, but it’s still an idea I keep tucked away for later.

Whether I’m writing at home, in a familiar place, or somewhere totally new, there’s something exhilarating about getting those words on the page. My mind craves new experiences and a constant stimulus to fuel story ideas and keep the words flowing. I’m grateful that my travels afford me those experiences that I can draw on and keep me inspired, no matter where I am.