I'm curious about where folks write their poetry. Is there a specific place? Do you find the place you write matters? Does the place you write influence the type and quality of poetry you write?

I tend to be a morning poet and compose most of my poems on my computer in my office. And yet, I am constantly jotting ideas down for poems in meetings, at dinner, in the car, in bed in the middle of the night, and everywhere else you can imagine; EVEN in the crapper! Crapper Poetry! (Not crappy poetry!) Maybe the next GP poem category.

I write mostly at night when it comes to the sitting down and doing extended work thing...do 90% of the work in a program called Journler (a freeware program for Mac that does a splendid job with all sorts of organizing tools and cross-reference options; it also serves as a blogging client, can incorporate pictures, sound files, etc.).

Of course, I've also got Moleskine notebooks in every bag and in every size -- one in the car, etc. -- for the inevitable jotting of notes.

I also carry all my poetry -- completed books, works in progress, etc. -- backed up on my Palm, and I write and edit in there from time to time.

Tony: Thanks for sharing. You are organized. Or should I say: Prepared to write at any moment.

I'm still working in a PC environment. (And Don's two sons say: "Dad, Mac is just what you need. It is perfect for you. Why do you suffer along under Bill Gates' deadwood?")

I "write" in the shower, behind the wheel and at the kitchen sink, among other places, because a lot of my creative process happens before I ever put a word down on paper - or screen. I also do a lot of my writing at a Saturday afternoon writers workshop where I reconnect with pen and paper. Writing on the move has a long history for me - when I was in my early teens, I did a daily paper route on foot and often composed poetry in my head as a walked. Interestingly, a lot of my work from back then has a set meter... my footsteps .

laptop and scribbling on post-its/margins of my law textbooks

Chameleon: Your approach amazes me. You must have a keen memory. Is that the case? I like your idea of your footsteps setting your poetic meter. Tells me what you write comes straight from "you." Thanks for sharing this.

When I jog or work out on the elliptical machine, I often get ideas for poems. Music also promotes my imagination.

Rax: Interesting. Any particular time of day? You will have fun with your law books 25 years from now. What a story they will tell!

I carry a notebook (paper kind ) with me everywhere and work things out on the old desktop when I get a quiet moment. I usually write up a storm while I sit at my daughter's side to help her sleep. I need to do something quiet at that time and pen to paper is. It is a great time for thoughts!

Poetry is so much more mobile than painting. It's anywhere a pen and scrap of paper can be found. Great, what?! It's hell cleaner, too.

Tekirdag: Thanks. Ah, so true...poetry is much more mobile than painting. Do you feel more productive writing certain times of day?

Tony said mostly night time. For me, it's morning. Chameleon says any time, but especially when she is on the move. Still waiting to hear more about Rax's best time of day.

early mornings/late nights as those are the "quiet" times.

Tekirdag: Gotcha. So you write best when it is quiet. Some of my poetry surfaces during quiet times. This tends to be my more spiritual poetry. Then my humorous and everyday observation poetry is brewed initially during action times. But nearly all of my poems are finished off in the early morning hours.

no time in particular. when i'm procrastinating... meaning when my head's full with what i've been reading i need to redirect the stress. other times a phrase/idea/emotion pops up when i see something on tv, or hear someone say something, a song, a painting. basically i think too much but these are just snippets that i sometimes have to write down else i forget. i sit down and write seriously whenever there's no daylight. (which can be faked with heavy curtains)

Rax: Gotcha. Thanks.

I. too, am guity of procrastination....

(Don says to himself: You idiot. Get your consulting report that is due in 5 hours, and stop messing around on GP.)

I write mostly at work.

I have a journal I carry with me everywhere but I usually only jot down notes there until I can sit down and bang it out.

All my poetry and such is on my work laptop...hmmm...I should back that up, I think.

no set time, no set place, no set rituals. no rules. maybe i don't write at all.

FALLINGBLIND: Interesting. I do the same thing with my notes; that is write poetry from them later. Writing at work, eh? Does that mean you are a daytime poetry writer? (Didn't want to assume you worked daytime. I know many healthcare and IT professionals who labor in the vineyards at night) Speaking of which, it is two hours from Friday Wine Time!

Wine Time!!! Wine Time!!! Wine Time!!! Wine Time!!! Wine Time!!! Wine Time!!!

Don says to himself: have you lost your friggin' mind. They'll think you're just another poet-drunk. Hummmm...Naw. but it is...Wine Time!!!

Mayo: Wow! So you don't need this type of structure. Well, perhaps poetry just mystically writes itself through you. Amen, I say.

How much did formal training in poetry and writing help you? (I would ask the same question of others as well).

diannone wrote:

FALLINGBLIND: Interesting. I do the same thing with my notes; that is write poetry from them later. Writing at work, eh? Does that mean you are a daytime poetry writer? (Didn't want to assume you worked daytime. I know many healthcare and IT professionals who labor in the vineyards at night) Speaking of which, it is two hours from Friday Wine Time! Wine Time!!! Wine Time!!! Wine Time!!! Wine Time!!! Wine Time!!! Wine Time!!! Don says to himself: have you lost your friggin' mind. They'll think you're just another poet-drunk. Hummmm...Naw. but it is...Wine Time!!!

Yes, it's safe to say that I write more poetry in the day than any other time, but I actually think I have more ideas at night. I'm a night owl so I think the brain works better when it's dark and I am alone in my room with no distractions.

What has two thumbs and is all about WINE TIME?

This girl! (I'm sure you can get the image on your own.)

I think I may get good and lit tonight.

Look out for drunk posting y'all. I've finally got a whole Friday evening to myself with nothing to do but kill brain cells.

Holler!

FALLINGBLIND: Thanks. Night is good for the creative brain waves.

ALRIGHT! You go, girl! Wine time it is. Mine will be followed by dinner and wild and crazy dancing (pretending I'm 26 again and not 56). (Don looks at himself in the mirror and says: Who the heck are you kiddin? You fool!) (Don says back to self: Go to hell. This is Friday night and I will be 26 if I wanna! Back in your hole, Silver Fox.)

FALLINGBLIND: In any case, enjoy and I will look out for DUI poets on the Internet superhighways later this eve, if I can still see...

drunk poets. mm. that sounds too good. drunk poetry... or coffee tomorrow. Maybe I WILL go out and get myself a nice bottle of blue stuff.

Chameleon: I think you REALLY should. Blue stuff? Skye Vodka? or _________. In any case, enjoy! And yes, coffee tomorrow.

I write when my wife bugs me so I can pick on her.

Gary: Gotcha. Hey, whatever works for ya.

I have a notebook at work and a notebook by my bed side.
It's amazing the different type of work I find myself writing though.
When I take a minute to read both notebooks at the same time.

smiling, it's like reading poetry from two different people. Yet, it's all my work. That so amazing to me.

I've written on napkins before too though. So I am always feeling inspired.

Christa: Interesting. So your writing environment influences your writing?

Don: Yes, you could say that.
I guess if I had one wish, it would be, to be around more people like those I've found here on GP.
I have been inspired by you guys. Don't be surprised if I write about how all you wonderful people have truly inspire me.

So, it looks like I'll be writing at work again. smiling