Make it Portable – Creativity on the Go

I have been trying to write more for years now. I have notebooks, a binder, and a laptop. I write my morning pages in a paper notebook long hand everyday. I write many first drafts in my writing binder. I also use my laptop for second drafts or for typing out first drafts.

Writing First Drafts

My current writing project is my first attempt at writing a novel. I try to write a little in the morning before work and a little at bedtime. I started out by planning and drafting long hand in my writing binder, but as the story started moving along well, I found it more efficient to type the first draft.

Is There a Better Way to Write on the Go?

I have started hanging out in a wonderful Facebook group – Moms Who Write – and there are a lot of prolific writers in that group that swear by using their phone to type. I was skeptical, but I am really attached to my phone, so I thought maybe I should give it a try. I switched over to Google Docs so that I could type in the same document across different devices.

Writing on My Phone

In the evening, after the craziness of bedtime, I often surf Facebook on my phone as a way to decompress. One night, instead of Facebook, I opened the Google Doc app on my phone and started to add to my story. It actually worked very well. I text people all the time on my phone and I’m a very quick thumb typist. Having my story on my phone means that when I am out and about and have time to kill, I can write on my draft, instead of just surfing aimlessly on my phone. Making my draft writing portable has been very helpful. It got me thinking about how other creative pursuits could be portable.

Portability for Other Creative Projects

For my painting work, a large canvas isn’t very portable, but my art journal and pack of pencils can go anywhere in my bag. For Christmas, Santa gave me a portable watercolor palette and brushes that hold their own water, so that I can bring my watercolors with me when I am on the go. I’ve always had a bag to carry my yarn work. I have a basket with a handle for my hand quilting work, although a large quilt is a lot less portable that an cell phone story.

How do You Bring Your Creative Projects with You?

Is there a way that you can make your personal creative projects more portable? Can you make it easier to do art on your lunch hour? Can you write your novel while you are waiting to pick up the kids from school? How can you make a to-go bag for your art?