How to Not Live in a Cave

Yes.

You read that title correctly.

I know, you're probably thinking, "This is exactly what I need! I've always wanted to know how not to live in a cave!" And if you are, you'd be correct because, of course, we all need to know how not to live in a cave.

I'm kidding.

My friends, today, we are going to be addressing something very serious.

We are discussing the life of a writer.

I have a question for you all.

Do you ever feel like you spend your time cooped up in the house or whatever building you write in? Have you ever written somewhere else?

Do you always feel too busy to have time to get out and write?

If you do, you're in luck because that is exactly what I'm going to be helping you do today.

Welcome to "How to Not to Live in a Cave".

Let's start this how-to post off with the list of materials.

Get a portable writing device or notepad.

I don't know what your preferred writing vessel is.

Maybe you like good old-fashioned pen and paper or maybe you stick with a computer. Maybe you just like writing stuff on your phone or tablet when you have free moments.

Whatever it is, I want you to make sure it's portable.

If you write in a notepad, phone, or tablet, that's great. You can move that anywhere. If you write on a computer, either find a laptop, or switch to something else.

To do what I'm suggesting in this blog post, you have to have a portable vessel for your writing.

And if all else fails, just go with a pencil and a notepad.

Alright, now that we've addressed the super long and complicated list of materials needed to not live in a cave, let's get started on the "how" part.

Write in a different location.

Take your portable writing vessel and leave your house. It's as simple as that, my friends.

Leave the cave.

This can also help with writer's block.

Sometimes, simply writing in a different place than normal will help you with inspiration.

So look around you. Look on Google Maps if you have to. Find some location that looks like a good place to write.

Everyone writes best in a different type of scene.

Some people prefer writing in complete silence. Some people prefer writing with lots of background noise around them. Some people prefer writing with music in the background.

Find a location, a park, a beach, a cafe, somewhere that sparks your interest. Somewhere that looks like a good place to write.

Have fun with it, guys.

Take your portable writing vessel and find somewhere new to write.

Use that location to inspire your writing.

When you choose a location to go to, you could always choose something that will inspire your writing.

Maybe the setting for your book is in a forest. You could find a forest or a park with lots of trees and just sit there for the day (or however much time you have to write) and soak in the feel. Maybe you're writing about a small town. You could find a small town near you and sit in a quiet—or loud if that's where you write best—place there and use the location as inspiration for your writing.

This can help you get into the feel of your scenes.

Like how actors with sometimes visit locations or talk with people related to a movie they're doing to get the feel of their character, writers can write in places that have the feel of where they're writing about.

And the best part is, this gets you out of the cave you call home and gives you a little exposure to some vitamin D.

Spend time outside.

I find, this is the best and most fun way to get out of the house, office, cave, or wherever you normally write.

Find somewhere outdoors.

If it's a beautiful day where you are, use that sunshine to your advantage. Use it for inspiration and to get outside.

Visit a park or just sit outdoors wherever you are and write.

If you have a front porch, you could even just sit out there.

Getting outside is healthy for you and helps you not live in a cave.

Make time to get out of the cave.

I know our lives are busy.

I get it.

Especially lately, I've found it hard to find the time to write.

But like I said in the post, "The Writing Muscle", you have to make time to write. So make time to get out of the house as well.

If we can make time to go to the store, we need to make some time for writing outside of the normal setting as well.

The above how-to doesn't work if we don't make time for it.

So make time for it.

To all my friends who like living in a cave....

Let's be honest here.

Most writers don't really mind being indoors.

I mean, we're never alone since we have all 50 million unwritten characters inside our head.

But we all, and I mean all, need to get out of the house and write somewhere new once in a while. Especially if we're having major writer's block or struggling to find inspiration.

One of these days, just try visiting your local park.

Sit alone, in the grass, on a blanket, with whatever portable writing vessel you have and try to write.

You might find you enjoy it.

A lot.

Thank you for reading "How to Not Live in a Cave".

I hope you found my advice helpful.

(And if anyone was confused by my comments about a cave—for those whose heads my humor flies above—I am referring to whatever indoor place you normally write.)

Good luck with getting outside to enjoy the beautiful world!

Happy writing!

-Jocelyn