You don’t have to have a swanky work area to write good things. My current workspace is comprised of a bedside table, stacked stereo speakers for my mouse, and an open space on my TV stand for drinks. Having such a small one workstation doesn’t keep me from writing. When Stephen King wrote his first bestseller, it was from a small alcove in his laundry room.
Don’t let the size or shape of your work area keep you from making it your own. Here are a few ideas for giving some personality to your own writing area. You may have room for just one or two of them. You may have room for all of them. The point is to make it unique to your own tastes.
1.Reference books – A small area set aside for reference books is a great thing for any writer, regardless of taste. Having a dictionary and a thesaurus at your finger tips can make things easier when you’re not sure of how to spell a word or when you need to say something in a different way. I find just looking at the bindings of reference books to be motivating. Find some with classy covers if that’s your style or stick to the contemporary ones. Throw in some writing manuals and a couple of your favorite novels to keep you inspired.
2.Favorite CDs – For many writers, music sparks creativity. Have some CDs handy for background noise if tunes help you write. Need silence when you’re working? Having CDs handy and ready to play during your breaks can soothe or perk up a tired mind. Artsy CD covers can be inspiring as can certain artists who’s lyrics really touch you. When you let your music reflect your personality and tastes, you let your writing do the same.
3.Comfortable office chair – Writers can spend hours working on their craft, yet a hard chair can do more damage than good. Invest in comfort and get a good office chair for your writing space. They cost anywhere from $30 and up for a brand new one, and used ones can be found at thrift stores, online classified venues, and rummage sales. If you’re stuck with one that lacks in comfort find an old cushion or pillow to sit on and a soft blanket to lean against. It’ll go a long way to keep your body from aching and will allow you to sit longer when you want to write.
4.Magazine rack – Having various magazines next to your workspace can do double duty in adding to your writing area. When you need a quick break, it’s easy to grab one and find a few interesting articles to peruse before getting back to work. A rack of magazines can also do double duty as a muse kicker. Lost on what to write? Need a story or article idea? Flip to a random page and brainstorm about the heading. Even if it’s an advertisement, you can get ideas from the pictures and the words. Plus, magazines add a fun, casual, yet intellectual ambience to a workspace.
5.Creativity sparkers – This category can be anything that sparks your own muse and gets you in the mood to write. Posters placed on the wall above your desks are great, especially ones that draw your eye. Paintings and other works of art can do the same. Some people use elaborate bookends to hold their reference books, or certain figurines that they find adds a touch of class. Others keep pictures of loved ones around them. Whatever keeps the floodgates of your own creativity open should figure heavily into your work area.
6.Timer – A cooking timer, egg timer, or even a small alarm is a good thing to have in your writing area. Many writers face deadlines, so setting time limits on their writing can be helpful when trying to stay on task. But those not facing such deadlines or just writing for pleasure can utilize a timer as well. If you tend to get lost in your writing, it’s a good idea to get up and move about every once in awhile. Set the timer for regular intervals where you can take a walk, get a drink, or get some exercise. The timer can also be used for various writing exercises. Set a timer for five, ten, or fifteen minutes and free write for that amount of time. This method can spark lots of idea for future writings and comes in handy when you need to divert your attention from your current project.
These ideas are just to help you get started on your writing space. Over time, you’ll figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. You’ll come up with new ideas and of course, your tastes will change. The fantasy poster of a unicorn might eventually give way to a Monet painting. No matter what, stay true to your tastes and use what works for you. Create your own space and use it as a tool for your writing.
