Public Writing: Yay or Nay?

My "new" standing desk.

Recently someone on X asked if any of us actually write in coffee shops. “No one does that. It is purely performative,” responded one poster. 

Are any of you coffee shop writers? Or maybe you write in a local café? A friend of mine liked to write in a nearby café. She said that she was always more productive when she did this.    

I am not a café or coffee shop writer. I've tried it once. I have written in a meeting room at a retreat. And I’ve written in a public library while on retreat. I can pull it off if I can sit with my back to everyone. Coffee shop writing is much more problematic. Ooo. That looks yummy. I wonder what drink that is. That looks like a heated conversation. What is that amazing scent? Something must have just come out of the oven. Amount of writing accomplished? Next to nothing. 

When I write, I want to be at home. I prefer to write in my office. I can sit and work at my computer or stand and work at my new antique desk. When I get stuck, sometimes I sit on the patio or at the dining room table. 

Although I insist that I cannot write in public, I know I can write someplace other than my home office. I’ve done it! I’ve written in public spaces at retreats. I proofed Trench Warfare leaning against the wall in the emergency room. I revised American Life in the 1970s with my laptop perched on my father’s bedside cart in the hospital and The Evolution of Mammals in the dining hall of a lakeside lodge. 

How do I manage to pull this off when I insist I cannot write in public? 

First things first, I have to be on deadline to write someplace other than my office. When the need arises, it is possible. 

Secondly, I sometimes listen to music. I don’t know how any of you manage to wear ear buds. They are simply too uncomfortable which is even more distracting that being able to hear other people talk. But I do have a larger pair of noise canceling headphones. They fit over my ears and as long as I don’t get too warm, I’m okay. What can I say?  I'm picky!

Third, I try not to sit facing other people. Let’s face it. I am very easily distracted. 

Fourth, it cannot be someplace where a variety of food is served. See above about being easily distracted. 

Fifth, it cannot be a high traffic area. Haven't I already said that I'm easily distracted. If it is a high traffic area, it does not matter that I’m a nonfiction writer. I will soon be making up stories about the people I see around me. 

Writing in public does not come easily to me. I can do it if I have to. 

What about you? Are you a café or coffee shop writer? How do you feel about writing in public? 

--SueBE

Sue Bradford Edwards' is the author of over 60 books for young readers.  

• To find out more about her writing, visit her site and blog, One Writer's Journey.  

• Click here to find her newsletter.

She is also the instructor for 3 WOW classes which begin on the first Monday of every month. She teaches:

• Pitching, Querying and Submitting Your Work 

• Research: Prepping to Write Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults 

• Writing Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults 

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4 comments cafes, coffee shops, public writing, writing habits, writing in cafes, writing in coffee shops

Don't Underestimate the Power of Habit

 

Somehow, over the past month, I've become disconnected from my writing routine. I have thought about writing, and I certainly would have liked to have written. Yet, those thoughts never turned into action. The anti-muse that is busyness crept back in, whispered in my ear that there's far too much to do, and turned my attention away from my creative work.

Oops, right?

Over the past week, I have been thinking about this and realized one aspect I needed to build back into my day: habit.

Think of your own habits in your life. Your teeth brushing. Your exercise routine. Your laundry. All fall under routines 

While I'm not a fan of habit stacking, I have embraced the idea of writing routines in the past. And it's worked. 

So lately, I have made the intention of starting my writing routine as early as possible. Instead of meandering around stories I have no connection to at the moment, I have returned to a familiar routine of grabbing one random picture and five random words to accompany it. And just responding until I have somehow used the image and words in a piece of writing

I have no idea if this will lead to anything, but based on my experience in the past, simply incorporating a regular routine (or habit, if you will) is the key to reclaiming my former sense of writing self. 

If you have sort of lost your way this year, don't waste too much time bemoaning it. Dust off the writing notebook. Fire up your laptop, typewriter, or whatever creative sword you battle with, and get back to your stories. Incorporate one act of writing in your day and mark it off the calendar. Hey, even download those goofy toothbrush tracking charts for kids to track your successes and treat yourself to a sticker after five days. 

Because what matters is that you aren't giving up. And if you can't seem to get back into it, start a regular routine (or habit) of writing into your day. You might just be surprised.

Nicole Pyles is a slightly overworked solopreneur who somehow can't admit she's running a business and not simply a side hustle. She loves the Lord and spending time with her family. She dreams vividly and loves writing metaphors in her fiction. When she's not checking her email obsessively, she enjoys watching old episodes of Twilight Zone and black-and-white monster movies. If you ever want to be on podcasts, let her know. And if you have a podcast, you could be her new best friend.

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2 comments Nicole Pyles, The Power of Habit, writing habits, writing routines

5 Ways Short Story Writing Has Boosted My Productivity

By Linnea Gradin

 

For many aspiring authors, finishing and publishing their first novel is their ultimate goal. Completing it promises an immense sense of accomplishment, but the road there is often long and arduous, so it’s easy to get stuck on the way. Add to that the pressure of putting everything you want to say into a single story, and the fear of the blank page can start to hinder your writing progress.

 

It’s for this reason (and many others) that I’m a huge proponent of the short story. Below, I’ve outlined five ways this shorter format can help you beat procrastination and become a more effective writer — both in terms of skill and routine.

 

1. Building a consistent writing habit

 

When it comes to writing, simply getting words down on paper on a regular basis is an invaluable skill in and of itself. The length of a short story feels more attainable, allowing you to actually get started.

 

Frequent calls for submissions are another way in which short stories can help you create a consistent writing habit. With novels, it’s easy to push things indefinitely, especially as the sheer size of the undertaking looms large. With short stories, you’re facing a smaller task and you’ll often have monthly or quarterly submissions — such as WoW’s flash fiction and essay contests, or even weekly short story competitions like Reedsy Prompts — to stay on top of. When you have some places to submit to regularly, it becomes much easier to establish part-way goals and keep up with a consistent writing routine.

 

2. Exploring your creativity and experimenting

 

The short story format also comes with the exciting possibility of exploring multiple avenues of interest. Unlike novels where you commit to a single idea over a longer period of time, each story you write can tackle something new, giving you the freedom to experiment with wilder ideas. If it doesn’t pay off, there’s always the next story.

 

If you’re someone who’s driven by curiosity, this is a great way to build positive associations to the writing process. When you allow yourself to follow where your curiosity leads and tell all the different stories floating around in your mind, you get a chance to push your own limits. And as you experiment with genres — from literary fiction and fantasy to horror and romance — and play with the format, writing consistently becomes significantly easier.

 

3. Completing arcs and finishing projects

 

There’s also a lot to be said for the feeling you get when you actually finish something. With short stories, you get to experience the dopamine release much more often. Of course, with novels, there’s the promise of delayed gratification to keep you going, but with shorter pieces, the finish line seems that much closer. Before you know it, you can’t wait for the next time you get to sit down and write just to experience the heady feeling of accomplishment again.

 

4. Honing your writing skills

 

The creative process is subjective, and writing a short story isn’t necessarily easier than writing a novel just because it’s shorter. The challenge of the short story lies in the fact that you’re forced to tell a complete story within a limited word count. You can’t spend pages and pages on world building or character development, so every word needs to be chosen with purpose and care. Forcing yourself to kill your darlings until you’ve boiled your writing down to something sharp and (hopefully) insightful will inevitably make you a more intentional writer.

 

5. Overcoming perfectionism and fear of rejection

 

Lastly, one of the wonderful things about short story writing is that there are so many ways to get your work published, whether in online magazines or print journals. Unlike the process for pitching your book, short stories can usually be submitted directly.

 

Of course, with more frequent submissions you also stand a greater chance of facing rejection. But it’s a little bit like ripping the band-aid off. It always stings a little, but after a while you start to develop thicker skin and can even start to learn from it. You were rejected but the world didn’t end, and perhaps you even got a couple acceptances, building up your platform in case you end up querying literary agents down the line. With less pressure on yourself to deliver a perfect first draft, you’ll find that it becomes easier to write without worrying about any writing flaws.

 

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As you get more writing miles under your belt, perhaps that longer piece will start to feel more approachable. Whichever format you choose, just remember to let curiosity lead the way and you’ll find yourself longing to get back into the writer’s chair.

 

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Linnea Gradin is a writer for Reedsy — a digital marketplace connecting authors with the industry’s best publishing professionals and providing answers and information on all things writing and publishing related, from how to find a ghostwriter to how to make an audiobook.

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Leave a Comment Creativity, Linnea Gradin, narrative arc, perfectionism, productivity, short story writing, writing habits

The Right Time To Write

I’ve got a writing predicament over here and I don’t know quite how to fix it. 

It’s not the usual problem, like a muddled middle, a runaway plot, or a flat character. It’s a bit more complicated and a lot more embarrassing. On the other hand, I feel like my writing friends will understand. 

Because I need a little validation, a smidgen of compassion. But then again, I might get a swift kick in the laptop instead. Anyway, here goes:

I can only write under certain circumstances and that’s about to change! 

Whew. It’s a relief to finally say it out loud. 

Except I sense you might be confused, struggling as it were to get on board the Cathy C. Hall Support Train. So let me explain further. 

As you may recall, I’m working on an adult mystery. I started the serious writing in the fall, and then NaNo came along (in November) when I set a goal that would require a certain amount of discipline. Fortunately, my discipline paid off with a writing routine that has taken me through this very day. But now I’ve got a big problem looming. 

Hmmm. Maybe you need to understand the routine a little better to fully grasp the enormity of the situation. Picture this: Every day around 6:00 PM in my corner of the world, dusk is settling in and I turn on one lamp where the glow spreads across my desk, casting a dappled shadow. The temperature has started to drop so I fire up my space heater to take off the chill and more often than not, a hot cup of tea sits next to the keyboard. As the sun sets, I’m typing away; the room grows darker, colder, a hush falls with nothing but the steady buzz of a heater to keep me company. But then a snap, a crack! What was that outside? Did someone just pass by my window? A shiver runs down my spine as I glance behind my chair. 

Could it be any more obvious? Six o’clock is perfect for cozy mystery writing! And after a solid hour, sometimes two, I have another five hundred words written and/or edited (more or less). 

For four months, it’s been the absolute right time to write. And I’ve got just a few chapters left. But now, when I sit down to write at 6:00 PM, the dadburn sun is still kinda shining. Birds are chirping. Happy little kids are playing outside. How am I supposed to write a mystery with all that going on? 

I need my shadows, a hint of intrigue in the air. I crave secrets, the darker, the better. I WANT THAT HAUNTED FEELING. 

It’s a huge challenge, y’all. And here’s the embarrassing part: I don’t think I can switch it up. 

Am I to suddenly start writing at 8:00 PM? My brain is winding down then; I’m deciding whether to watch a Friends episode or something on Netflix. Not to mention that I’d have to eat around 6:00 and that leads to digestive torpor, right? 

There’s always the afternoon, you say. But that’s for business writing and such. Am I to change my entire writing schedule at this advanced stage of my career? There’s mornings, though. Bright and early, greeting the day!

Please. 

It’s a predicament that only other writers can appreciate. To wit, I finally find the right time to write and the universe comes along and ruins it.

(Tell me I’m not the only crazy one! Do you have a right time to write? And why?)

~Cathy C. Hall

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9 comments Cathy C. Hall, mystery writing, writing habits, writing routines

Why (And How!) to Keep a Writer's Notebook

by Leah Claire Kaminski

Open any writer’s notebook and you’ll find a unique ecosystem, populated with lists (of books, birds), quotations, diary entries, overheard dialogue, memories sparked, striking images, sketches, and memorabilia. Some notebooks might even contain actual writing! Ask any writer how they use their notebook, and you’ll get a different answer. Amit Chauduri writes back to front—notes at the back, with the first pages free in case he starts a novel. Carolyn Forché periodically transfers the sparkiest passages from past notebooks into a new one, which becomes dense with poetic possibility.

While they fill them assiduously, many writers don’t use all of what goes into their notebooks. Much of what enters my own notebooks never leaves. Joan Didion, who wrote a whole essay on notebooks, said that her old notes “seem marginal at best.” But the list of famous writers who keep notebooks is nearly as long as the list of famous writers: not just Didion and Forché, but Thomas Hardy, Henry James, John Steinbeck, Mark Twain, and on and on. So they must be on to something.

If not as a record to return to, or fruitful ground bearing the rough drafts of their next masterpiece, why do writers keep notebooks at all?

It’s helpful to think of your notebook not as a curated repository for your undiscardable thoughts but as an integral part of a private process: your mind thinking on paper. Novelist Lawrence Norfolk says of his notebook that while it may not be useful in a utilitarian sense, it’s significant because “work passes through it on the way to becoming something else.”

However you use it, your notebook is the surest portal into yourself as a writer. It’s not a library you must keep organized, but a doorway you must keep open, to keep writing vivid and alive in your life.

Convinced? Good. Here’s a few thoughts to get you started in your habit:

The Format:

Sketch book, Word document, or scratch paper? Lined or unlined? I use apps when I must—typing and recording—but I usually use an unlined, softcover Moleskine. There’s a reason most writers use physical journals. “To me, typing is like work,” Neil Gaiman said, while “writing with a pen is like playing.” More scientifically, handwriting (versus typing) can connect us more deeply to our emotions. Virginia Berninger, a professor at the University of Washington, explains that “when we write a letter of the alphabet…that process of production involves pathways in the brain that go near or through parts that manage emotion.”

The Purpose:

Will you write whenever you feel “inspired”? Or create a more consistent practice? Will it be a notebook for brainstorming/project notes (like an artist’s notebook or scientist’s field book—as DaVinci and Darwin famously kept)? Will it be a place to write? Or a place to write about writing (a la John Steinbeck)? Or a brain dump (a la Julia Cameron) on the way to the “real” work? (Mine is a little of all of these, depending on my mood an project.)

The Process:

Can you journal every day at the same time? Or in the same circumstances every time (those free Saturday afternoons while the kids are napping)? Keep your notebook handy for whenever the mood strikes, but also consider an accompanying ritual to help firm up your habit—as simple as a cup of tea and a particular chair, or as complex as drawing a tarot card or speaking a spell.***

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Leah Claire Kaminski holds degrees from UC Irvine and Harvard. For nearly 15 years she’s taught students to read with attention and to write poetry, academic essays, and creative nonfiction. Leah’s poetry and stories are widely published in magazines and anthologies, and in two chapbooks, Root (Milk and Cake Press, 2022), and Peninsular Scar (Dancing Girl Press, 2018). Her collection Live oak nearly on fire has recently been named a finalist for the Laureate Prize from Harbor Editions and the Paul Nemser Prize from Lily Poetry Review. She’s at work on a new collection, Small Continent of Light, and is also at work on a horror novel. Originally from Miami, Leah lived in Boston and Orange County, California before recently relocating to Chicago with her partner, child, and two cats, Bernie and Betsy. She loves writing, and teaching writing, because the page never judges. Visit her website at www.leahkaminski.com.

Leah is also a WOW! Women on Writing instructor. Check out her upcoming workshop, WHY DO I WRITE?: (Re-)Discover Your Drive, starting January 10th!

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1 comment journal, Leah Claire Kaminski, online class, WOW instructor, writer's notebook, writing habits

The Importance of a Writing Habit (And How to Find Yours)

Without realizing it, I fell into a writing habit the past couple of months. It all started when I changed my weekend morning routine. Rather than turning on the coffee and skimming the news on my phone, I take out a notebook and write for a while. 

You see, this is remarkable to me because I've never been the type to embrace the idea of a writing habit. I've never thought it was for me. It reeked of the type of responsibility reserved for laundry, taxes, and Monday mornings. However, once I began to embrace this habit, I've started to write more. Not only that, my stories are better too. So, I wanted to share a bit of advice on how to find your writing habit.

1) A writing habit doesn't mean you have to write every day.

I sometimes think a lot of us fear that unless we are writing every day, we aren't making progress. As much as I like the idea of writing every day, I just don't have the mental space for it. Now, I guess you can say I do some form of writing semi-daily because I do journal on a regular basis. However, in terms of actual creative writing, that's reserved for the weekends. My mental space is less crowded, and my time is less rushed.

2) Do what works for you and your writing.

So, for me, I usually write on Saturday and Sunday mornings. For you, maybe you have a window Thursday afternoons that are relatively free and clear. Maybe you can't sleep Sunday nights, and you stay up later than usual. Maybe you have a 15-minute break at work that you can finally start taking. Whatever it is, find what works for you. Even if it isn't very long, start embracing this window of your day as a time for your writing.

3) Go to your writing time, even if you aren't sure you have anything to say.

Last weekend, I stopped at a scene in my story thinking I really didn't have much happening, and that I needed more of a direction for my character. She didn't have much of a life surrounding her that made the ongoing problem more complicated. I thought maybe I'd have to table my idea and revisit it later, which would be fine. It's definitely happened before. This weekend, I returned to my story during my writing time and realized there was more to my character than I thought. Now, she lives near downtown, works in a clothing boutique with a boss that swears in French, and likes the barbecue sandwiches from the deli down the street. She enjoys reading British vogue that she most recently purchased wearing sweatpants and her ex-boyfriend's old t-shirt that he forgot to take with him when he moved out. Now, ladies and gentlemen, this is a character. I'll be honest, this is probably the most vivid character I've developed in a while. And I have a gut feeling it's all due to that writing time I've reserved for myself.

4) Stick with it.

I don't know about you but I tend to let even the best of writing habits go by the wayside sometimes. So, this final piece of advice is for me as much as you. As you embrace your new habit and figure out what is working for you, make sure to stick with it. Things in life can happen that derail newfound habits, but if (or when) it does happen, make sure you return to what works. 

Do you have a writing habit? How did you discover what works for you? 

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4 comments Nicole Pyles, writing habits

Don't Wait for New Year's Eve

One of the reasons I like the turn of a new year is that it feels like a refresh button has been hit. It's like all of a sudden I have a brand new start. My writing suddenly feels fresh again, like the smell of grass after a rainstorm. I think that's why everyone tries out New Year's Resolutions. 

And I don't know about you, but I could sure use a refresh button. I haven't been writing like I used to like I have hit a major creative slump. Even with having story ideas, and a few I'd like to work on, I just can't muster up the energy to work on anything. 

If this sounds familiar, and you are struggling too, here's what I encourage you to do: 

Don't wait for New Year's Eve to hit the refresh button. 

Instead think of it like this: every day is your refresh button. If this year has shown us anything is that we have no idea what tomorrow will bring. So, if you are feeling down on yourself, because you are 14 days too late on starting National Novel Writing Month, or you've neglected your novel for the last few months, or you've not been writing consistently for months (or even years), don't let that stop you from hitting the refresh button. 

Sometimes it can feel like if we've gone so far down the wrong direction, it's almost too late to turn back and try again. But that's not the case! It's never too late to try again, to start fresh, and to get back on track. 

So, if you are living on Self-Doubt Avenue in Slump City, it's time to move. After you finish reading this post, promise to do one small thing to get on the right direction. Here are a few ideas, in case you need some: 

• Remove any apps on your smart devices that are major distracting points for you (games, social media, etc). 
• For ten minutes, write down everything that's on your mind and don't stop until your time is up. Write about what's distracting you or stressing you or bearing down on you. Getting thoughts on paper can help you refresh your mind. Make this a daily habit.
• Submit your writing somewhere at least once this week.
• Don't just commit to starting your new writing schedule or writing habit tomorrow. Do it today. So often I make plans and keep putting off good habits until it feels better. That never works.
• Finish something. Sometimes the act of finishing something is the best thing to do for your writing. Even if it's awful, get to the end.
• Do something outside of your creative box. Sometimes trying a new creative thing, even if you feel like you are terrible at it, sparks a new part of your brain. Doing art this past year, even silly doodles has helped me stay creative, which helps my writing overall. 

Basically, don't wait to start good habits and to re-energize your writing. Do it today. Happy writing!

Nicole Pyles is a writer and blogger living in the Pacific Northwest. Visit her latest updates on her two blogs World of My Imagination and Lady Unemployed. Say hi on Twitter @BeingTheWriter or on Instagram at @BeingTheWriter.

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9 comments Nicole Pyles, resolutions, writing habits

My Journey to Developing a Good Writing Habit

About a month ago, I found someone's blog post raving about Google calendar and how much it helps their life. I can't say I am of the same mind frame, although I do appreciate the tool on occasion. Intrigued, though, I went on a journey to the Google Calendar app on my phone and found an interesting area that lets you schedule something you want to be built into a habit. I scheduled a daily writing activity reminder (around 5:30 pm or so every day) so I would be nudged to write. I kept the reminder on my phone for about a month and didn't write a single bit. Not one word.

Add onto that, around the same time, I signed up to receive reminders from a website that would nudge me about writing that day and give me encouragement. Turns out, that didn't help me either.

Have you ever felt like you were helping yourself only it was making things worse? As much as I thought the extra reminders would help, they did the opposite. Around the beginning of October, I deleted the reminders and unsubscribed to the website. I've been writing fairly regularly since then.

In addition to removing those pesky reminders, I also did one huge thing. I removed the Twitter app off my phone. And Instagram. But Twitter is the bigger deal. As much as I enjoy the #WritingCommunity on Twitter and enjoy the platform in general, it wasn't helping me at all. The reminders, the notifications, the pull towards looking at bad news, and the endless scroll basically plummetted my energy level. Without me even realizing!

My writing habit has improved lately and I'm excited to keep going forward. If you are trying to unlock the secret to developing a good writing habit, consider what could be draining your energy, hurting your attempts, or distracting you too much. I never thought the little notification to write would do the opposite for me. I also never thought I'd uninstall my social media apps and see the benefits of doing so.

Sometimes it's the small things that take away from our energy level (which adds up to being the big things). Paying attention to stimuli can be a huge factor in identifying what isn't helping you stay motivated. So if you are trying to figure out how to work in your writing habit into your life, keep trying, keep tweaking, and keep writing.

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5 comments Nicole Pyles, writing habits

3 Ways to Refresh Your Creativity

Break out the pumpkin everything, fall is almost upon us. When September rolls around, I feel like I'm hitting the refresh button and starting new again. In fact, September feels like the start of the year to me (way more than January does). So as we stare down the barrel of a new fall season, it's time to hit refresh.

But how can we hit refresh on our creativity?

Here's how a few ideas:

1) Cut out the distractions.

Okay, let's all be honest. Each and every one of us has a distraction. Social Media. Mobile Gaming. Streaming new TV shows. And I don't know about you, but sometimes that distraction can turn into something really time-consuming (and energy-consuming). So, take a self-assessment. Is there something you can cut out of your day and devote to some writing time? Social media can easily draw me in (meanwhile I tell myself - I'm building engagement! It's great for my platform!). Yet, honestly, I can cut down.

2) Try out a new creative endeavor.

I am a believer in the idea that one creative pursuit inspires another. Maybe it's been a while since you tried something new for yourself creatively, but I highly encourage it. It doesn't need to be expensive or all that elaborate. Consider buying a coloring book and crayons. Try baking. Go to a garage sale and find something you could upcycle. Doodle. Explore the other parts your creative self. You might be surprised.

3) Reassess your goals.

Our pursuits as writers change throughout the year. Maybe we wanted to submit that novel but got caught up in other writing projects. Maybe we ended up starting a new job and we need to completely revamp our daily writing habit. A lot of life can happen in a year. So, reassess your goals as September rolls around. What do you want to do differently?

Any tips you can share on how you can reset your creativity? 

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3 comments Nicole Pyles, writing habits

Friday Speak Out!: Sacred Rituals

by Kim Smyth

I’m writing this little story even though to do so may make y’all think I’m a bit of a freak, yet we all have our sacred rituals to get us going, right?

My writing space is not one most people would choose, it is just the area of the dining table that puts me in front of a plug for my computer, and in front of the dining room window so I can daydream and either watch the autumn leaves fall on the neighbors lawns, or the rain fall from the sky, filling up my empty plant beds. The reason is that my old writing space was a converted bedroom-turned-office with NO space for my writing. I had been using this old piece of furniture we inherited from my husband’s grandmother, yet it was crowded out by his desk and now I have no room. I needed my own space.

Anyway, my morning ritual has always included making my coffee which uses coconut oil and butter (those of you who know what bulletproof coffee is will understand) and rubbing said oil on my dry legs in the process. I also rub it on the surgery scar on my neck and it is hardly visible now after a year. Anyway, I discovered one morning that my little dog Whiskey loves coconut oil when I sat down on the couch and she literally attacked my hands trying to lick it off. So now, every morning it has been sort of a thing for me to sit down at the dining table, get ready to write, while both of my doggies lick the coconut oil off my legs.

You might think this is weird, but dogs benefit from coconut oil as well as humans, if this is a good delivery method, who am I to stop them? Besides, it is oddly soothing to me, even if that sounds a little weird, I don’t mind at all. In fact, I now sort of feel lost if for some reason they don’t come running right away the moment my butt hits the dining room chair, for that action is what now gets me in the mood to write. Me, my coffee, my JUUL, and my dogs, licking my legs while I pound out my next article, essay, blog post or whatever…now how is that for a visual? I can hear you laughing from here! Or are you cringing? Some people are put off by dogs licking their toes, and my Brandy is a toe-licker from way back. This is somehow…different. Like I said, it’s rather soothing and I’m killing two birds with one stone per say.

Never mind that they like the oil just as well on their food, or in the baked treats I sometimes make them, I like them licking it off my legs…there, I said it. It’s part of my ritual now, I don’t think I could get started in the mornings without it.

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Kim Smyth is a freelance writer interested in all forms of writing, articles, essays, poetry, and blogs. She writes on Medium and runs the blogs Keto For Beginners and Words On a Page. She lives in the DFW metroplex with her hubby Dave and two adorable Shorkies, Whiskey and Brandy Recently, Callie the cat joined the family.
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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
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3 comments Friday Speak Out, Kym Smith, pets, rituals, writing habits