Do you need a dedicated writing space?

If you are a writer who writes best in a busy peopled space then maybe not, although it’s still useful for all the admin side of writing. 

Your brain will thank you because …

You will focus on the task of writing quicker

Your brain knows this space is where you write, and it clicks into writing mode as you enter or settle in. Everything you need is to hand so if you are short on time, it’s perfect.

When I sat on the chair by the fire my brain would flick between writing, eating, reading, watching Netflix, chatting to people. All the actions performed in this space vying for my attention before I could focus on writing.

You will concentrate better

If you know what distracts you when in full writing flow then a dedicated space can be set up to illuminate as many of these as possible, allowing your mind to free flow with ideas.

My hut is pretty good but when a magpie decides to tap dance on the step, or a flock or sparrows fight over a few rotting apples, or the wind swirls leaves tempting me to dance with them outside then I tend to be distracted for a moment. But these moments can be inspiration too.

You will save time

Everything you need is around your space, no more wandering the house to find the notebook with the specific information you need or the writing reference book or the fresh new unused notebook pile as a new idea bounces around your head demanding to be jotted down.

You will have inspiration at your fingertips

Pictures, tarot cards, story cubes, photos, books, interesting objects…are all near when you need that little boost of inspiration

Photo of inspirational things

You will form a healthy writing habit

If you have spent the time, effort and maybe money in creating a space for writing you are more likely to use it on a daily basis, even if you only have thirty minutes the space is there, all ready, set up, all you have to do is enter. It’s amazing how much you can achieve in thirty minutes a day.

You have no excuses

This space is for writing whether you feel like writing or not. The old ‘bum in seat’ advise is supported by the brain clicking into writing mode. Your brain knows this is where your creative flow pours and although there may be some staring into space – probably staring at an inspirational picture – it is more likely that you will write than if you were snuggled on the sofa with a TV or book to tempt you.

But where?

Have a look around where you live and use that powerful imagination of yours to find the best space. A curtained off corner, a cupboard, a table, a loft… There will be somewhere you can set up your space. And if you can build a small hut in the garden then that is the ultimate in writing spaces especially for me as I love to have light and to look out at nature as I write. 

Here’s a quick tour of my hut. It is 2.5m x 2m

I found a large piece of rusting metal in the garden, spray painted it with the dregs of a few can and I now have a planning board, reminder board, information spot, inspiring quotes board…

My childhood toys and a dragon keep me company, reminding me of the stories I made up as a child and the awe and wonder of dragons. They sit above an old box for the books I have published, filling up slowly but surely.

An old cupboard sanded and painted sits in the corner, filled with useful bits and pieces including a blanket to keep my knees warm in the winter or to sit on in the summer. It doubles as a standing up writing space too for when I am first drafting for hours.

And , of course, the essential table and chair. Both moveable so if needed, I can face the wall, or move out of the sun’s brightness, or closer to the radiator.

I have crates of notebooks fixed onto the walls. Don’t we just love those tempting beasts?

Many are empty, waiting for a story idea, some filled with information from writing courses, podcasts, blogs etc, others are full of notes taken from courses, books, podcasts, blogs etc.

A small tray holds my small collection of printed books, I have more on my kindle. 

There is a crate almost full of notebooks with ideas for stories and notes on editing, some inspirational pictures and my story catcher which hangs in the window making tiny rainbows when the sun shines. – more information on this in an earlier blog >>

And the view, which changes daily.