Recently, I haven’t been too good at being one of those writers who always has a notebook to hand and can get some writing done whenever a spare moment presents itself. When I was living the travelling life, I was much better at this, and wrote things on buses or in queues or while waiting for really slow service in a cheap restaurant. But in the last year or two I pretty much only write if I’m sitting at my computer.

With one exception that I only just noticed: Friday mornings. I teach ESL to adults two and a half days a week at the moment and every Friday morning, for the first ninety-minute lesson, I’m required to give them a test on what they’ve covered that week. While they’re quietly working away, I have a chance to do some work too, and I usually plan the schedule for the following week and do any other paperwork that’s required. Which takes about ten minutes. And then I get bored.

In recent weeks, it’s become a bit of a habit for me to use this time to write. Because of the need to be present in the classroom (and aware enough of a student who needs help), and perhaps also because of the cold winter weather, I’ve taken to grabbing some scrap paper, leaning on a textbook and walking around the room writing. Sometimes I pause at the window to write a few longer sentences, sometimes I actually write as I walk. It seems to be a very therapeutic way of getting some ideas down (but without neglecting my students – don’t worry, boss!).

I’ve produced ideas for my novel, plus posts for various blogs, via this walking and writing method. It’s a bit of a surprise for me that it works so well. Perhaps I should set my students solo work more often and take advantage of this quiet, productive time!

Do any of you write in unusual places or unusual ways?