Creativity Stops Here...and There. (Frances Louis)

Due to the easy portability of a pen and a pad of paper, and given that my laptop ventures wherever a plug and/or a full battery is present, there aren't many places that have not been graced by my writing and imaginative devices.

Which is why I thought it would be much more fun describing locations that I refuse to meet, as Pat so aptly described, at the 'intersections of romance and adventure'.

Location #1: The Bathroom

I know, I know. This room is perfect for wasting copious amounts of time (which is a direct consequence of creative behavior). But bubble baths and long hot soaks aside, this room is not one in which I want to spend extra time in--especially when other people demand its facilities. Besides, it simply isn't conducive to an electrical device such as my laptop, and I despise writing on damp and/or soaked paper.

Location #2: The Office

What?? What do you mean you don't write in an office? I mean, dear readers, that I don't write in an office. It's simple really, given the fact that I don't own one. In a 3 bedroom house with 3 boys and 1 female exchange student, well--you do the math. There simply isn't room. That doesn't mean I don't want one. Once our current exchange student leaves, this mom may move in on the open room--that is, if my 10 year old doesn't beat me to it.

Location #3: The Car

Again, I see the confused faces. After all, isn't the car the perfect place to spend time and dream, especially on long 1o hour trips to the frozen wasteland of Minnesota that I call my childhood home? It would be if a.) I wasn't prone to motion sickness b.) If I wasn't the one usually driving and c.)If I didn't always chat and totally put off the notebook that stares back at me, making me feel as guilty as...well, you know what. Let's just say that after 6 trips north, I've learned not to tempt fate and have left the notebook (both electronic and not) in the back of the car--and not the front.

Location #4: Children's Events

Besides looking like a disengaged and totally bored parent, writing while at my children's sporting/musical/school/etc. events shuts out opportunities for me to see my kids at their best. These are opportunities for my kids to shine, and I owe to them, as their only mother, to give my children my full attention. Yes, practices get long, but I find that time spent gabbing with other parents makes me feel more a part of my kid's experiences, and as my boys are growing fast, I don't want to risk writing while they glow in their successes.

Now that you know the places that I don't, I'll let you know my favorite place that I do--on my living room loveseat. It is positioned in front of our front bay window. This allows me to keep an eye on my boys while I kick up my feet and just...dream.