The author's life comes with many inherent benefits, one of which is our work location: In short, we can work from anywhere. The possibilities are wide open, yet many writers choose to stay at home. It's cozy, there's no commute, and it's cost effective, especially when it comes to food and drink.
But there are some unique drawbacks to writing solely from home. The household environment can hold a multitude of distractions and excuses that take us away from our manuscripts. It can be difficult for many authors to maintain boundaries to protect their creative work from chores, family time, and other home-related responsibilities. The reverse is also true: Without boundaries, our work can bleed into family and self-care time, depriving us of rest. Yet another difficulty lies in the static environment—it's easy to get stuck in a rhythm where routines slip and good habits decay to make way for bad ones. And then there's the loneliness. Although online communities on social platforms such as Facebook or Discord are helpful to mitigate loneliness in writers, they can’t be a panacea.
Third spaces—places other than home and work that are relatively accessible—are an excellent complementary approach to each of these challenges. There is a growing body of research unveiling the benefits of third spaces, such as a 2025 study by Martin Lukeš, of the Department of Entrepreneurship at Prague University in the Czech Republic, which found that workers who utilized co-working spaces reported greater productivity, work engagement, and well-being.
Additionally, those who work in third spaces can also benefit from “social facilitation,” a term that refers to the tendency of people to work more effectively when others are present. This body of research, which began as early as 1920, often demonstrates a connection between being in a shared space—whether someone is working with accountability among peers or performing in front of others—and improved focus and performance.
This effect has been experienced by many writers and creatives, even simply through being in the presence of other people—no quality interaction required. Fantasy author Jamie Davis has posted on social media about his workdays spent at a nearby cafe, providing him not only the benefits of social facilitation but also the benefits of the commitment and consistency principle as espoused by American psychologist and author Robert Cialdini: When we share goals with others, our consistency and likelihood of action increases.
Productivity and Balance
Davis says that writing in a cafe energizes him, even when he's surrounded by strangers. He describes immersing himself in the buzz of conversation around him and how that settles his mind into a writing zone where he can crank out chapters. It's also the perfect place for him to get reenergized. "Whenever I get stuck in my office at home, I can get unstuck by a trip to my cafe haunt," he says.
Historical Fiction author Nan Sampson agrees. Not only can third spaces allow her to leave behind all the distractions at home, but the staff at her favorite places recognize her as a regular and have built rapport, which helps recharge her social battery. "Just being out of the house creates a sort of liminal space for me, allowing me to really focus on the work,” she writes. “That's what I'm there for, and it sets my brain into creative mode. It's really helped my productivity enormously."
Naturally, cafe writing isn't a good fit for everyone. Mystery and Thriller author P.A. Duncan used to write in cafes up to three days each week, she says. During the pandemic, she grew accustomed to writing at home, and the noise of the cafe became a distraction. Instead, she found a different third space for balance. "I find a compromise in writing retreats: I get to interact with people and to have quiet time in my room for writing," she writes.
Third Spaces You Can Try
Some of the most common third spaces include cafes, coffee shops, and libraries, but they aren’t the only options authors can explore. If those aren't a good fit for you, you could also consider one of the following options the next time you want to seek community in a different space.
- Parks: Grab a picnic blanket, snacks, and drinks. You could also set up your work in a park pavilion. This is ideal for days when you can do non-computer writing work, such as brainstorming, outlining, or editing a paper copy of your manuscript. Or bring a power bank that can support your computer.
- Bookstores: Independent and corporate bookstores sometimes have spaces for the public to read or write. Four Seasons Books in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, features a community room where they welcome the public to come and study, read, meet for book clubs, and of course, to write. Books-a-Million is a major book retailer with a cafe in many of its locations. The Books-a-Million location in Winchester, Virginia, features a Joe Muggs cafe with a long raised bar and stools, complete with outlets and perfect for a quiet writing outing.
- Libraries: This is a common third place that falls under the affordable part of accessibility, and some libraries are even opening their own small cafes to attract more patrons.
- Co-Working Spaces: Although the most affordable co-working spaces seem to be in Europe, many cities have co-working spaces where visitors pay a monthly fee to come, work at a desk, and access the internet. Often, these businesses also have conference rooms or private rooms that can be reserved if you need them.
- Restaurants and Bars: Some restaurants and bars welcome remote workers. You can either contact the business to ask or search local social media groups to find a list. Beware of the drink-spill risk, though—the presence of alcohol can always make things trickier.
- On the Go: If you’d like to step away but aren’t sure where to go, write in your vehicle. You may need a power adapter, but a mobile office could be the answer you're looking for. Whether you find a place in nature to park or you're writing in the pick-up line, vehicle writing offers flexibility.
- Gas Stations and Convenience Stores: You may have never thought this would be a suggestion, but if you're struggling to find a place near you where you can engage with your community but still focus on your work, consider checking out these spaces. Oftentimes, more robust shops have sit-in dining areas with plenty of outlets. Some, such as Sheetz, appear to be set up for use as workstations, with outlets built into tables.
- Your Front Porch: Third spaces don’t have to be far. Set up where you can watch the world slide by but still be outside of your home—technically. Wave at neighbors and passersby, or invite a friend to porch-write with you. Even this short distance from your usual space can have a positive impact on your writing.
