discovering WHERE I'm most productive 🔍 | a writing experiment!

[@accountforwastingtime]

My most productive place to write lately has actually been...on the floor? Sitting against this one spot on my bed, facing the wall, with my laptop sitting on top of a trash can for better height. I have no idea why it works but every time, I'm far more productive! It's like putting myself in writing time out!

[@chillgamingchannel1283]

For me, its in my car. I have to get away from all distractions. I just drive to a nearby carpark, nothing but my laptop and some coffee and just sit in the passenger seat and there is literally nothing to do but write. This has made me so much more productive :)

[@chillgamingchannel1283]

bonus points if its rainy outside i love the ambience of that :) My house is my paradise and as such it have every single distraction I could dream of - never underestimate how distracting pets can be for interrupting flow state omFg.... XD

[@TheAndreaDonoso]

Eyyyy I never thought doing this!... I think I'm going to try... I usually have to wait library's or coffee shop to open... Maybe this is my answer!!!

[@herothebard]

Caffeine takes about 15-60 minutes to hit your system (I just looked it up) which is actually about what I thought it did and relies on how quickly your metabolism works. This information came from the sleep foundation. Also it is good to note that people with ADHD have Sleep problems with a delay of their internal circadian rhythm system, this is also affected by caffeine and so if you have ADHD you might actually be more tired with caffeine and have more energy in the evening/night time. Suggest hours of sleep are about 2am to 10am for those who suffer from this particular problem.

[@cosmos9688]

The public library I work at allows up to 200 items checked out at one time. A lot of new patrons are really surprised to hear that when I sign them up for cards. They are even more surprised when I say that we have about a dozen people at our branch that regularly hit that limit.

[@KateCavanaugh]

OMG THIS IS THE KIND OF INFO I LOVE. 200 is wiiiiild! Okay, as someone who works at a library, have YOU ever hit that limit??

[@cosmos9688]

@@KateCavanaugh Not even close! I think the most I've had checked out was about 25 items. Most of them cookbooks I would skim for interesting recipes before returning after a few days.

[@AuthorAKLim]

Noooo, Kate, don't make me want to go to libraries and coffee shops to write! I am LAZY and I have ANXIETY and I WILL spend copious amounts of money on coffee! lol

[@accountforwastingtime]

Right! We have one coffee shop nearby, and after me and my wallet discovered it I was just like nope nope I need to just forget this place exists! Either that or I just get too anxious to go inside and sit cause of course

[@AuthorAKLim]

@@accountforwastingtime LOL exactly like I need the Men In Black memory machine to make me forget cafes exist sometimes

[@reginaduke7451]

I used to write in the library before the panini. At my age, I feel too ... vulnerable?... at a coffee shop alone. But now, I don't want to be apart from the dogs. LOL Winnie is 16 and blind. Woody is 11 which is ancient for a sheltie. And Kobie is just too adorable to leave behind. LOL. Love the video. ❤❤❤

[@RumoHasIt]

Coffee shops for me can be hit or miss. I have a great spot in my town, but I have to bring noise canceling headphones to drown out all the chatter or I cant work. Ive just learned to look at my productivity on a weekly basis rather than a daily basis. Writing from a coffee shop 1 to 2 days a week seems to be the perfect frequency to keep me focused and excited 😊

[@bodine219]

I love writing at cafes. It probably isn't my most productive, but sometimes I think I get higher quality out of it. I recently discovered one that *is* possibly my most productive location, but it only works early Friday mornings because the vibe is absolutely perfect. It's a small coffee shop with fantastic coffee and a handful of people show up to work that morning, plus a pair of older ladies who chat softly in the corner. It's just really consistent low-level noise and I love it. I usually just write at home, but anytime I can meet up with people who are also working that will be my most productive. My best friend is an artist and when she's in town we'll get together and work at a few cafes -- I write while she draws on her tablet. We work in sprints and it is perfection. (Body doubling is fantastic for ADHD focus) Edit: typo

[@NeverAskedtobeMade1390]

I feel like I write the best in my local Barnes and Noble cafe, mostly because that's where I do most of my writing, but I think my second best location is my local library. It has quiet cubbies that are Star Trek themed, which is really cool.

[@KateCavanaugh]

I used to LOVE writing in the B&N cafes. I need to try that again, thank you for the reminder!! Star Trek themed cubbies sound so cool! Libraries are awesome.

[@greenbird6491]

You’re looking so happy, Kate 😊 Makes me wanna go and write in a coffee shop! 😍

[@mattywren]

I love writing at cafes -- but writing at cafes does not like me. For my brain to work I really need to be in a familiar setting with no noise that I can't control. Even though the vibes of a cafe are amazing, I never write as much as I do when I'm at my desk at home. My FAVOURITE place to write though is my grandparents' cottage, which is right on the edge of a river. Writing there. in the morning, with the windows open and only hearing the sounds of water and birds -- amazing. Absolute creativity overdrive

[@ekidd79]

favourite place to write, on the prom or the beach (by hand in a notebook), not necessarily the most productive and I can be distracted by people watching....but the sound of the sea is most relaxing. Alternatively at home in the garden or on my laptop in the wee hours of the morning when there are no other distractions.

[@mangaluver2010]

I attempted once to write at my favorite Boba Tea place but I found I couldn't really get into it, I wrote a total of 100 words lol! . I find I work best at home, normally in my room, but I'll switch it up every now and then and write in the living room or kitchen! Great video, Kate! ❤

[@samantharose1001]

I love the downtown branch of the San Antonio library! A lovely Chihuly sculpture there and lots of nostalgia for me

[@GlamorousLT]

Thank you for this video.

[@finalcrutches03]

My most productive writing lately has been at my desk. I have always worked better when I had a dedicated workspace. I don't have a favorite spot outside (I'm still nervous due to covid), but then heading outside to write anywhere is weird for me. Love your channel!

[@spicypumpkins2640]

Would definitely love to see that library comparison video. Also have to say you looked especially beautiful in this video especially in those outdoor scenes. Skin looked bright and clear. 😊

[@Iwasonceanonionwithnolayers]

Dine in filter in Maps btw 5:34

[@andrewlanier261]

My most productive and favorite place to write is either the library or Panera. Panera is like a coffee shop but usually quieter with comfier seating

[@mageprometheus]

I wasn't able to guess your area of the USA from your accent. The central library in Birmingham, UK has 5 floors and so many books, I can't control myself to write. My local tea and coffee shop is a Victorian-themed parlour, even the waitresses are dressed up. The customers are mostly older ladies who love talking and I get nothing done. Home it is.

[@SIMulatedSara]

My German shepherd loves kitties too. I have 4 cats, and she's constantly checking on them and cuddling with them. :)

[@Caroline_Creative]

In college, I loved to go write papers at 24 hour coffee shops and go in the the middle of the night. Like 2 am or so. Now, I live in the middle of nowhere and don’t even have a single coffee shop that is still open when I finish work. Even the library is closed really early, so I stuck with writing at home

[@chrystalsapphire7438]

Love the idea of experimenting with writing in outdoor spaces!

[@agingerwrites]

It is so funny as someone who lives in Michigan hearing that because summer is approaching you *don't want to* be outside as much. Like, I forget just how hot it can get in certain locations. I hear summer and am like "woohoo! outside time!" though sometimes even Michigan summer gets too hot for me because I like cooler weather. Ahem, anyway. Sorry for rambling, but awesome video! I love all the stats. I think my favorite place outside of the home to write is a cafe. I need to venture out and do that more before school gets out for my kiddos. I also think I am going to make more of an effort to write outside once it warms up again. I've got a nice deck with a wonderful view of a pond and woods.

[@A_Bookish_Obsession]

Oooh a new video. Let's go!

[@Michelle-kw8dc]

At home I set up wherever I feel like. Desk, dining table, bed, couch, wtv. I think I'm most productive on the couch. I love going out but 1. it's always expensive (whether it be coffee, parking, treating myself, driving for 3 hours for fun, wtv) 2. I seriously use the bathroom like once an hour and I feel anxious leaving my stuff out 3. the library workstation set ups are so NOT feng shui and I feel SO anxious. I don't think I'm that productive when I go out and about, but I have noticed I'm a bit more outgoing with my creativity when I do.

[@aria.rosario]

I’ve been procrastinating getting a library card for the city I just moved into…guess I’m taking an extended lunch break today 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@rosetheresa6168]

i LOVE libraries. i'm often most productive there, i think its all the other people also doing work and so i too must work so the others don't "judge me". not true i know but it works lol

[@anjakuemski]

I tried writing at the library but it was too quiet for me. I need some noise around me. So maybe I should go up to our local medieval castle or the animal park and write there. It is probably pretty distracting but also very inspiring.

[@johntubbs6617]

I think it helps to have multiple writing areas (I'm still working on them. ) Why I'm not writing right now. All the big authors have that kind of set up from what I have seen so far. I will have one area for building scenes up from M&R units etc or planning - and another for re-drafting etc. I have my bike for writing on the road to get out etc.. Lots of coffee shops at the beach here, but the boardwalk works best for me overall. It depends on my mood each day what works best for me. I figure by the time I finish a manuscript the robot A.I programs will take all the author output. LOL...

[@staceycoates1418]

I like to write at the library, I will take a study room, or go to the genealogy department. And I am actually going to check out a laundromat this week. My daughter just joined a new Scouts troop and everything else is closed or more than halfway home.

[@feelswriter]

I can walk to my library, and it has a large quiet room. Maybe I'll experiment comparing being out in the stacks vs the quiet room... Thanks for jogging my inner adventurous self

[@andrewlanier261]

Hey I’m from Dallas and the traffic here isn’t terrible. Definitely better than Nashville traffic!

[@StudioLindsay]

What a cool experiment, thank you for sharing! 😊

[@authoreloisebahr]

Most of my writing is in my bed, but my most productive and the one outside of my house is the library!

[@Yondong]

Thanks for sharing your experiment. It was interesting so far and i'm looking forward to the next one. 😊

[@one_smol_duck]

I love going to cafés for just about everything but drafting. Brainstorming, outlining, editing, journaling, writing excercises, social writing events -- cafés are great for all of that. But I've had to accept that I need to draft at home. A lot of that is because I need consistency when I'm drafting. I have a specific ✨spot✨ for drafting and when I'm in that spot, my brain can slide back into the book. But part of that is also just an unfortunate combination of needing silence to write and typing VERY loudly. Once I've found a spot quiet enough for me to concentrate, if I try drafting there I'll ruin it for anyone else who's looking for silence. I've given up on libraries for that reason lol, I've been shushed one too many times. Even when I was handwriting 💀 I'm just unconsciously very chaotic and loud when I'm in a flow state.

[@elizalagonia1049]

When my husband and I were looking for where we wanted to move to, San Antonio, Texas was on my husband's list. The heat was what kept it off my list, I'm hot in 30 degree weather/50 when pregnant. I go out on "outside of the house writing sessions" and I used to go to the Apple Bees for happy hour wings, now since we moved, I gone on a couple at BWW on Tuesday or Thursday for wing deals. I'm more productive with boneless wings because I can eat them with a fork. I should do an experiment where I compare word counts and times.

[@Heothbremel]

Just got a new house we're in the process of fixing up, and am still new in town. I need to test the nearest library, that cute coffee shop I keep passing by, and the new house before I can comment for sure XD I've been pretty exclusively writing indoors at home but maybe that will change!!! It looked like an awesome experiment!

[@jumpingbee4717]

It's a fun challenge! I may use it to switch space for different character pov or chapter ambience 🤔

[@KateCavanaugh]

Oooh yes, I love that idea!!

[@rethleychiru]

I haven't been to a coffee shop in so long to write! I really want to get back into it. We live in the same area, I love Igo haha Have you ever been to Pan&Coffee in stone oak? They have really good food and a bread selection shelf. There's even a quiet area to one side too. It's pretty neat. I haven't been there in a year I have to go back ahh

[@cassie_hart]

That was so interesting! I prefer the library and have a weekly session there at the moment - no kids or animals distracting me all the time means I can get a lot more done. Cafes can be good too, depending on how busy they are. Sadly, I have to write at home most of the time! lol

[@KateCavanaugh]

Ooooh I love that! I need to make it a weekly session!!

[@cassie_hart]

@@KateCavanaugh the regularity means it's like a work date with myself! And the cafe lady at the library knows me well - starts making my coffee before I even get to the counter ☺

[@m00nwriter53]

I know I'm 2 months late on this, but if you go down to La Cantera, the Capital One Cafe has quiet rooms, so it's almost like the best of both worlds. I've had many productive sessions there

[@TheAndreaDonoso]

I'm jealous of the idea of being able to write one hour and be this productive. I blame the ADHD, but for me I need like an hour just to start, and not having at least 3 hours free make me anxious...

[@nightlythievery]

I don't want to be an enabler (but also, yes I do...), but an "I checked out 50 books from my library, how long does it take me to get to zero again" challenge sounds fun... :D

[@kelly_seastar]

I miss my old cafe. The lady who ran it got too old and it closed in 2019. But I new coffee shop is going in at the same building so hopefully it can be my new place to hang out.

[@kearra.fortune]

Caffeine takes about 30min to kick in, depending on a few factors of course. About your average tylenol/advil. I don't drink coffee, but working at a coffee roaster has taught me many a facts!

[@gabbygamez4562]

As someone also from San Antonio, Starbucks is the only coffee shop I can write at because they're never crowded lol. I have a Summer Moon Coffee near me and sometimes I get lucky with seating, but they were super crowded last time I tried...It's hard tho cuz I find it difficult being productive at home 😭

[@therealannataylor]

This is fascinating! I feel like I’m far more productive at the library, but I have four kids at home and a pretty lame internet connection. My writing work is pretty research heavy, so an internet connection is pretty critical.

[@fionahowellwrites5302]

This was fun! I'm planning on writing at a cafe after camp nano. We have a bakery in town (very tiny NH town) that has seats. Me: does that count as a cafe?? Lol

[@KateCavanaugh]

Lolol I think this should follow cat logic: if I fits, I sits. If it has chairs, it’s a cafe!!

[@kaylacook1522]

I have found I work best at the library, however I also work there as my day job so it feels weird going to work when I'm not working.

[@marias8007]

I prefer home but will go to oibrary or cafe occasionally

[@marias8007]

Haha I typed that just as u said the same thing

[@herothebard]

Instead of a bar hop writers do coffee shop hop. I also like going to the library, which is my most common place to go writing but we had a cold snap so not likely to go out for at least a few days.

[@crystalwaters2068]

Where did you get your Blue Writer Thermos?

[@CreatrixTiara]

A local circus company here once owned a big building for rehearsals and creative development. I often went there with my laptop to work on various projects, surrounded by circus performers. There was a joke that my apparatus was the laptop lol

[@KateCavanaugh]

LOOOL, I love that!!! That sounds so inspiring and fun!

[@staceycoates1418]

My library let's you check out 50 books. I have maxed it out. Many times.

[@familyregaudie4334]

I've been a subscriber for several years now, and I usually watch these as they come out. I'd really recommend watching the KZbinr Struthless, his content on creativity from a place of positivity and love is really exceptional.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Oooh that sounds wonderful! I’ll definitely check him out, thanks for the rec!

[@mrsvanchamarch.]

I, too, have no self-control at the library! Sometimes, I'll force myself to use the outside drop-off box for library returns because, otherwise, I'll immediately start roaming around and adding to my already-huge TBR lmao. I usually find it easiest to write from home because I can slob out in my pyjama pants and weird ponytails without being judged lul. Even though I have a desk and a writing-specific set up, I gravitate towards the beaten up couch, curled up all gremlin-like with my laptop. I get my best focus there, but boy, does my spine HATE me haha.

[@rashedulkabir6227]

Hey Kate, please make a video about that Adam Savage book you have read.

[@Europeanslave]

Strip club for some reason works for me

[@lakeshagadson357]

I know you have pets and drive a car but do you live on your own

[@tejaswinisparthasarathywrites]

Ooo this is fun! I wish I had a library near my house big enough so I can sit and write the only one we have is tiny🥲 But as fun as it sounds, I think I would be very distracted the whole time going "oooo books!" 😂❤