A Cure for Internet ADD

I wrote last week about my Internet ADD -- how I start looking something up on the Net, like at Wikipedia, and I follow one link to another leading to random education and less fiction writing.  Then yesterday over at Murderati, Pari Noskin Taichert asked:  "How do you create, nurture, and maintain the mental space for your imagination to thrive?"  Several commenters suggested writing in a coffee shop. 

So this is what I did after work today.  I stopped at the coffee area in a fancy hotel near my house and ordered up a green tea.  Logging on the Internet there cost $10 -- fuggedaboutit.  So I had no Net.  When I needed to look up some information about the FDR Memorial, I just highlighted it and wrote on.  My waitress generously kept refilling my teapot with hot water.  After a little bit, I called #1, my high school senior, who skipped a pre-dinner stop at her normal café in downtown Palo Alto and studied math over coffee with me.  (All around us SIlicon Valley types were interviewing, putting together deals, and such.  No one else was writing a novel nor using a graphing calculator.)

Bottom line is this:  I had my most productive day in a month!  I've got the recipe now.  Green tea, nice surroundings, accommodating staff, familial support, and no Internet!

FDR Memorial, Washington, DC

Comments

[pari noskin taichert]

Keith,
I wrote this really cool comment a few minutes ago and it didn't register.

Anyway, I'm interested to know that you found public writing so effective. I might try it if I can get past my fear of my laptop . . .

[Ben]

Hey Keith, I used to write in public places all the time (usually Starbucks and without Tmobile access, so no internet), and I find it very useful. I'm using the same tool I use for the day job (laptop) but in a different setting and for a different purpose. And lack of internet access keeps me focused on putting words on the page instead of surf, surf, surfin my time away.
When can we grab coffee? And write too? Cheers,
Ben