There's been a time or two or 10 when my internet was down, my home office was under construction or my house was just plain too loud to accommodate my work schedule, so I'm sort of a pro at finding additional locales to plant my seat and compose peacefully as a freelance writer. Need a change of scenery? Consider writing at any of these three spots.

Library

These days, most libraries offer free wi-fi, plenty of spacious seating (with power outlets!) and hours of peace and quiet.


Not only that, but the availability of research material is a definite bonus. Head to your local library if you've got heavy writing on your plate that necessitates the kind of quiet that only librarians are capable of eliciting.

Coffee Shop

Ok, so I admit the coffee shop is generally a default choice for me, and definitely not one of my favorite places. However, I end up writing in this setting quite often---usually between one child's cello lesson drop-off and the other kid's soccer practice pick up. I'm not a fan of the noise levels in coffee shops, or of the fact that I leave smelling like fresh roast. But, they're on every corner, and they generally offer free wi-fi. Scones and chocolate muffins are a bonus! Head for the coffee shop if you've got light writing, administrative work or character development to do.

Co-Working Spaces 

Co-working spaces keep gaining in popularity, and with good reason. They're like offices, but you don't have to go. And, if you do go, you're not stuck in a cube for nine hours, whether or not you're producing work in an optimal environment.

I love co-working spaces, because if it's not working for me, I can just leave. Take that, traditional jobs! In these kinds of offices, you're likely to find other creative, freelance or entrepreneur types who have a more relaxed schedule and a burning passion for what they do. There does tend to be teamworking chatter, but it's kept to a minimum. I like to opt for a co-working space if I'm doing medium-level copy generation, or if I'm undertaking some creative or planning tasks.

Never let the trials of life push you off your writing game! Have a plan in place for a backup locale to get your work done, and you'll never be surprised or miss a deadline.