Reading and Writing Reflection

How would you describe the best reading experience you could possibly have?

- To have my best reading experience I need to be away from home. At home I end up falling asleep or doing something to distract myself or avoid reading (such as watching TV, playing on my phone or cleaning). I tend to read very well on long road trips. When everyone starts to quiet down and listen to their own headphones, I can pull out my book and get lost. I am not worried about a time limit or something else I can do with my time,  I can just read. 

How would you describe your very best writing experiences?

- My best writing experiences happen when I have nothing else to do at the moment. I cannot multi-task when I need to write. This even included working on these blogs. I have to be able to have a decent block of time where I know I do not have to stop and get up to do anything. I like to be alone or with other people quiet in the room and prefer to be at a desk or in laying in bed if I am journaling.  

How do you set up these things for the best reading or writing time you could possibly have?

• Light- Natural light or all lights on in a room. If I just do a book or head light I tend to fall asleep. 
• Music-  Reading:This depends on what I am reading if it is for fun I  need some background noise on because if it is too quiet I get distracted in my own thoughts. However, it needs to be something I am not interested in or I will also get distracted and start singing, watching or join in on the conversation. If it is a text book or something I really need to focus on I need it completely silent. The TV can be on but it has to be muted, no music, and no conversation or I will reread the same sentence multiple times. Writing: I am not as picky when it comes to writing. As long as I know what direction I want to go with my writing, it usually doesn't matter if there is noise or not in the background. 
• Body Position-Reading: I need to be sitting up like at a desk/table, or in a car, or curled up on the couch. If I lay down I soon become distracted.  Writing: If I am doing something like journaling I can usually be in any position but to do my best homework I need to be sitting up at a desk or table. 
• Food and/or Drink- Doesn't usually affect me. 
• Wiggling or being still- I have to be still but If I am in a rolly chair I tend to swing from side to side.
• Nearness of other people- Other people usually do not bother me as long as they are still and quiet. I prefer to be alone when writing and have only a few people near when reading but if they are talking or moving I easily get irritated and cannot concentrate on what I am doing. This was a big problem for me in school. Still today in professional developments and classes when teachers ask me to read something quietly I have a hard time doing it due to the other people in the room. If I can get through it it takes me a very long time especially when reading something. 

How long does a writing or reading session need to be for you to get really involved in and get a lot of work done?

-Reading: For reading for pleasure I need just a little than 5-10 minutes in order to be really involved. I can take my book when I am riding with someone in the car and read while going someplace and I can also read during transitions between my groups. As long as I know where I left off in the book and remember what just happened I can jump right back in. If I have to go back and refresh my memory because it's been a while since I read it then it takes me a little longer to get started. If it is a textbook, I need at least a 30 minute time slot in order to read. I know I have to focus more and it takes me longer to get into it so if I don't have that time I avoid it. Writing: For writing it also depends on what I am working on. If it is journaling or a quick write I don't have a set amount of time needed but if it is an assignment I usually will not even try to begin unless I know I have the time to finish it in one sitting. 

What is the best place for you to get lost in reading?

- The best place for me to get lost in reading is a place where I have nothing else distracting me. I remember reading an entire book in a day last year because I went with my fiance when he was helping his brother install a new radio in his truck. I sat on the front step while they worked and just read. It was fantastic. It was a gorgeous day and I had nothing else I needed to do. I could just sit and relax with a book.