By Cindy R. Williams
I am taking a random straw poll here about where writers write. Please leave a comment at the end and tell me and the ANWA Founder & Friends blog readers where you do most of your writing.
Jon Lewis, co author of the Grey Griffin Series, was a presenter at a past ANWA Writers Conference. He told us that he goes to a local cafe full of loud music to write every day. He said if he stays home to write, he tends to spend the day playing with his cute kids.
My good friend Melinda and I attended LDStorymakers Writers Conference last year. While we were away, her sweet, handy and talented husband built her a writing area in their master bedroom. Get this; he attached a counter top about six feet in length to a wall. Next he added drawers on one end. Here's my favorite part about the writing area, he hand-painted weathered bricks and vines to make an archway over the new desk. Melinda now has a little corner in Italy to write. Cool right?
Another friend drives to the local library several times a week to write.
I have a small Queen Ann desk and yummy, comfy, leather desk chair in my bedroom where my lap top is set up. I usually turn the chair so I can prop my feet on top of my bed, and place my lap top on my wooden lap table to write. If it's a cold and blustery day, I wiggle my feet under the edge of the covers to stay warm. My writing corner walls are covered with dragon and fairy pictures. I have at least 30 fairies hiding around my room and peeking out from behind flowers, fancy old netted hats, stuffed animals, hat boxes, pom poms, "I Can Bring the Light of the Gospel into My Home," cross stitched pillow, and other warm fuzzy keepsakes up on the plant shelves. I have pretty much created a magical writing environment where I've surrounded myself with my fantasy world. (Yes, I have a very supportive and tolerant husband.) I have found if I try to write in other rooms of the house there are way too many interruptions, and they cramp my style and imagination.
WHERE DO YOU DO MOST OF YOUR WRITING?
I wish I was that Melinda. : ) I usually sit in the recliner in my room with the laptop on my lap. About once a week or so I go to B&N to write.
ReplyDeleteI used to have my "office" in the master next to my husband's "office" where he works from home, but that was too distracting, I like to talk to him too much and neither of us got much work done. We built a small room out of an unused front room space for a pantry to store our food storage, but why move it out from under the kids beds and out of their closets when I can use that space for my very own office? So, I overtook the large pantry and moved in my desk and a large wardrobe full of shelves to hold all of my craftiness...and lots of writing supplies. There is no door, so I'm constantly interrupted by small children, but it is my own space and I even have a window I can look out of. I love it.
ReplyDeleteExcellent ladies. The best part here is that you are both taking your writing seriously and have carved out a nitch for youself that works! Keep writing!
ReplyDeleteI like these ideas. I have an office with a nice big desk but I so far just use my laptop while sitting in the recliner. I my use your ideas.
ReplyDeleteI have a corner in a room where my desktop computer sits on a U-shaped table, surrounded by piles of paper. That's my usual writing space. However, I need some work done on that computer, so I'm using my laptop from a folding table in my living room.
ReplyDeleteJust now I'm at my favorite table behind a pillar at the public library, using my netbook computer. I can get a lot of work done here if I'm early enough, and I come into town a couple of times a month to write.
On warmer days, I write on a bench in the neighborhood park. I like to long hand and edit when I type it over.
ReplyDeleteI then use my desk I use for work to write. It has not proven to be very effective adn I am looking for a new creative mojo spot.
I love the idea of a 6 foot desk without nooks...
I have a home office, but it is shared with the family computer and can be distracting. I have enjoyed taking my laptop to my bedroom and working there as well.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had a laptop, I used to make myself comfortable on the couch with my feet up, or take it to Starbucks a few times a week for some hot chocolate and uninterrupted writing (they have excellent ambiance). Then, after dropping my laptop a few times, it decided it didn't like me anymore and wasn't going to play.
ReplyDeleteNow my desk is set up in the noisy family room. A third of my desk is covered with piles of books--I love the disorganized book theme, but I don't let it get messy.
I'm praying the hubby finds a job in Salt Lake, so we can get a house with a finished basement (those are uncommon in the Reno area), and I can turn it into a playroom with a corner nook for writing.
This is fascinating. I hope more writers add their comments so we can get more ideas.
ReplyDeleteIn my new house, we have what's humorously called the library room. It has book shelves, it has books, it has a huge desk completely taken over by the ancient computer and printer, it has a door...I find myself staring at the books more than anything, searching through the CDs for some mood music and nudging from cold wet dog noses.
ReplyDeleteFunny images come to mind Terri. I think this opens up another blog about what subconcious stall tactics lurk in our minds.
ReplyDeleteI usually sit at the dining room table with my laptop. I my bags with books sit in the corner next to me. When things get too crazy to focus, I will go up to my bedroom, but in dealing with a sleep disorder, I find that working in the bedroom is not such a good idea! I would love to have special place to write and research. Maybe I will have to start going to the library.
ReplyDeleteI'm an early morning writer (often around 4am) so I usually take my laptop (and cushioned lap desk) to the family room and get cozy on the couch. If my dh not at home I make a nest on my bed and look out the window at the beautiful Oregon hills behind my house. I usually like total silence when I write on occasion I'll turn on instrumental music, like electric cello.
ReplyDelete-Nicole
When we retired, downsized and moved to a smaller house, we dedicated one of the three bedrooms to be an office. We have two desktop computers for our own little network. My husband uses an old desk my father made probably some time in the 1960's and I have an L-shaped desk perpetually covered with papers, catalogs, mail, notes from the last ANWA meeting, etc. It's the bane of my life to try to keep the desk clear, and most days I don't work very hard at it. I have a bulletin board on the wall by the desk where I post my favorite writing-inspired cartoons and thought-provoking quotes. While my husband does Family Search indexing or shoots off to our kids his charming email reports of our latest activities, I sit in front of my computer and try to stay in the zone of compulsive oblivion while I revise revise revise. I will be glad when this trilogy of novels is finished.
ReplyDeleteI sit on the couch in the living room with my laptop, switch TV on to "Serious Spa" music, and start writing. Usually happens Wednesday evenings but sometimes I sneak in more.
ReplyDelete