Singer/Songwriter Tom Waits was once asked why he used different instruments when he composed music.  Early in his career his music was mainly written with piano and guitar, but as his music progressed it became an eclectic blend of may different, and sometimes obscure, instruments (singing into a bullhorn, playing a saw).  He said that he stopped using the guitar and piano as much as he had in the past because he felt his hands were like old dogs - they wanted to keep hunting at the same old places.

It can be the same as a writer.

This violates one of the rules of being a writer - find a location that is your “writing spot.”   While that is great advice for building consistency in your writing, sometimes you need to find a new hunting ground.  The problem with too much consistency is that we are in a business that asks for creativity.  Even as an SEO writer there is a certain amount of creativity needed to craft an article.  I find that when I go to the same spot every time, and I look at the same surroundings every time, it tends to trigger the same thoughts and ideas.

Occasionally it is helpful to find a new spot to write from.  Pack up your laptop or your notebooks and head for the local coffee shop.  Go to the public library.  Find a nice picnic table in the park.  You’re not looking for a new home here; you will still return to your writing spot, but sometimes it’s good to chnge your surroundings even for a little while.  It’s amazing how a little change in locations can bring a big change to your creativity.

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