I apologize for the lateness of my post. At the time when I would normally have been blogging today I was in an IEP meeting for my second oldest.
This week I'd like to cover the basics of setting up your writing space. You can call it an office, a writer's lair, a creativity zone. Whatever the name, it has to serve its purpose.
If you're lucky enough to have space to dedicate an entire room for your writing space, that's fantastic and I'm happy for you. This post is really for everyone else.
Finding space
This can be tough. We'd all like to have a library or at least a smallish room where we can go to indulge our creativity. But what we want and what we need can be vastly different creatures. A corner of a room can often work just as well. Try adding screens or hanging curtains (sheets work too) to visually separate your workspace from that of the home. You may think this part is unimportant...you would be wrong. Even if you can hear what is going on around you, not being able to see it really does help. Ok. Let's say there isn't even a corner of a room available to you. How about a closet? My "office" currently resides in my bedroom closet. I have a desk with a front that folds down and a chair. That's my space. I can see electric wiring, clothes, shoeboxes, things that have no other home. Not my dream office, but it works fine.
Necessary items
Whatever you use to write, obviously. Computer, typewriter, paper and pens/pencils. Even if you use a computer I recommend keeping at least some paper and writing utensils nearby because you never know when you'll need to quickly jot something down and step away from the keyboard. If you use electronic devices you will need to have in your space or be close to an outlet. It's good to have a desk and chair or stool as well, and by all means get the most comortable seating you can afford because if you're going to write you will be sitting a lot. That's all you really need.
Nice to have
Various small office supplies (paperclips, stapler)
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Books about writing
Things that inspire you
Music of some sort (radio, personal CD player, iPod)
Snacks (because there's no way you are leaving your creative haven in the middle of a crucial scene just because you are faint with hunger)
To be continued next week with decorating tips. And I know you're all just dying for my advice on that, right? ;o)
Kate
This week I'd like to cover the basics of setting up your writing space. You can call it an office, a writer's lair, a creativity zone. Whatever the name, it has to serve its purpose.
If you're lucky enough to have space to dedicate an entire room for your writing space, that's fantastic and I'm happy for you. This post is really for everyone else.
Finding space
This can be tough. We'd all like to have a library or at least a smallish room where we can go to indulge our creativity. But what we want and what we need can be vastly different creatures. A corner of a room can often work just as well. Try adding screens or hanging curtains (sheets work too) to visually separate your workspace from that of the home. You may think this part is unimportant...you would be wrong. Even if you can hear what is going on around you, not being able to see it really does help. Ok. Let's say there isn't even a corner of a room available to you. How about a closet? My "office" currently resides in my bedroom closet. I have a desk with a front that folds down and a chair. That's my space. I can see electric wiring, clothes, shoeboxes, things that have no other home. Not my dream office, but it works fine.
Necessary items
Whatever you use to write, obviously. Computer, typewriter, paper and pens/pencils. Even if you use a computer I recommend keeping at least some paper and writing utensils nearby because you never know when you'll need to quickly jot something down and step away from the keyboard. If you use electronic devices you will need to have in your space or be close to an outlet. It's good to have a desk and chair or stool as well, and by all means get the most comortable seating you can afford because if you're going to write you will be sitting a lot. That's all you really need.
Nice to have
Various small office supplies (paperclips, stapler)
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Books about writing
Things that inspire you
Music of some sort (radio, personal CD player, iPod)
Snacks (because there's no way you are leaving your creative haven in the middle of a crucial scene just because you are faint with hunger)
To be continued next week with decorating tips. And I know you're all just dying for my advice on that, right? ;o)
Kate
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