Living and writing from a narrowboat offers a lot of excitement and inspiration every day, but it also presents some very interesting environmental challenges that make this lifestyle unique, as well as many practical considerations that every floating writer must master to succeed in their craft.

The Environmental Challenge

Writing on a narrowboat means developing an intimate relationship with the elements, whether you want to or not! The changing seasons bring their own unique challenges and rewards. Summer can transform the typical steel-hulled vessel into a sweltering greenhouse, while winter might require creative solutions to stay warm enough to type, like hand warmers inside your mittens, or a hefty supply of coal and logs. Temperature regulation becomes not just a matter of comfort, but a crucial consideration for protecting valuable electrical equipment too. Laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices require careful storage solutions to prevent damage from temperature extremes and humidity, a lesson I almost learned very dearly in the early months of my first summer aboard!

The natural world also presents its own soundtrack, which is sometimes serene, and sometimes so intrusive that I have to block it out with music of my own (the geese having a two-hour fight in Nantwich on a blisteringly icy winter’s day not so long ago!). The peaceful patter of rain on the roof can enhance concentration sometimes, but the yell of passing boaters, animated towpath conversations, and agitated wildlife can create unpredictable interruptions too. Successful narrowboat writers learn to embrace these disruptions as part of their unique working environment, often incorporating them into their creative process rather than fighting against them. Or so I’m told. I’m still not over the Goosemania smackdown of November 2024.

Taking Inspiring Breaks in Nature

One undeniable advantage of narrowboat writing is the quality of breaks between writing sessions. Instead of stepping into a stuffy break room or urban street, writers in the floating life can immediately immerse themselves in nature. Towpath walks offer both physical refreshment and creative inspiration, while the ever-changing vista outside the window provides a constant source of mental stimulation, even on days when inspiration seems a little dry first thing. These natural breaks certainly help me to prevent burnout and maintain creative flow, though I do find that I have to be even more disciplined about returning to work rather than getting lost in the wanderings of the local towns, pubs, picnic spots, and the occasional castle!

Practical Considerations for the Floating Office

Maintaining a professional writing practice on a narrowboat requires careful attention to practical details, just as boating life does for pretty much every other aspect. Power management becomes crucial, ensuring adequate battery capacity for extended writing sessions, particularly when it’s darker for longer periods and the solar panel only has so much juice for the night. Storage solutions also have to be clever and efficient, protecting equipment while keeping it readily accessible. Many writers also develop specific routines around weather checking, mooring selection, and equipment protection that become as much a part of their creative practice as the writing itself. I tend to use this time as efficiently as possible to think about the writing day ahead whilst I’m setting up for the day and organizing myself with temperate control, decent lighting, and a host of easily accessible food and drink that’s not going to sidetrack me into changing a gas cylinder when I have a playscript to finish.

All in all, the narrowboat writer's life is not for everyone. It demands flexibility, resilience, and a willingness to adapt to both the rhythms of nature and the technical challenges of mobile living. However, for those who embrace its unique characteristics as I have, writing from a narrowboat offers an unparalleled combination of freedom, inspiration, and connection to the environment that can profoundly influence both the writing process and the works it produces. I would certainly say I’m happier in the life I live despite its occasional hardships. The flexibility between this new life and the day-to-day rental rat race nightmare has opened me up to new creative endeavors like never before.