On finding the perfect writing space
Published: Fri, 02/06/15
A recent conversation with a WriteByNighter got me thinking about the places and spaces in which we write. “My challenge is that I have to find a place to write away from home since there are so many distractions,” she told me. “My brain has to strain away the chaos so I can find the creative elements that let me write.” Finding a writing haven is a common challenge. Technically, writing is portable and so we can write anywhere. But we can’t write well anywhere. That’s the catch. To be at our best, we need a space in which we feel comfortable (physically), safe (from the
distractions and demands of daily life), and free (to express ourselves on the page without fear of judgment or censorship). That’s a tall order, sure, but it’s far from impossible. There will be obstacles—there always are—but with a little thought and experimentation, you should be able to construct a writing space that works for you. But first, check out where a few of WBN’s coaches and consultants get their creative work done:
“I write in a small room in my apartment that's also a guest room. It looks like a ship's cabin, lots of wood and little windows. There's a ton of books and clutter, and I usually tack up inspiring things on the wall. It doesn't hurt that I have a view of the
ocean. I like that it feels magical and separate from the rest of the world in some way.” -Anisse Gross
“I have a desk I love that is Ikea unpainted simple wood. On this desk: I have a candle holder that casts lovely shadows on the wall and have a Native American blanket hanging on the opposite wall where there is a bed. Often I lie on
the bed and write and sometimes sit at the desk. I can see trees out the window and pure blue sky and hear bird song and dogs barking and occasional traffic sounds in the distance." -Resa Alboher
“After years of living in tiny spaces, in Ann Arbor I have my own office! It has a desk and a table and books and art stuff, because I also draw comics. It has a window that looks out on
my neighbor's house, and a tree branch where squirrels run by. It also has my clothes and skis.” -Lydia Conklin
“My composition usually happens out in the world, and I tend to be most prolific while traveling. However, when I return home and begin to edit notes and lines from the piles of scrap paper I've been lugging around, I fortify
myself on the couch with a pot of tea and a mound of snacks so I don't have to move all day.” -Tatiana Ryckman Where do you write, WriteByNighters? Read my advice on carving out an ideal writing space now, and leave a comment to let us know! Happy writing, wherever you are, Justine
Justine Tal Goldberg Owner, WriteByNight P.S. If you know someone who might benefit from today's message, please feel free to forward this email along. Go on, help a writer out.
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