How do you take an eight by ten foot room above an unheated garage, still holding the remnants of a boy growing into a young man, and turn it into a writing oasis? With spider webs, discarded nerf bullets, spilled chocolate milk curdled into the hardwood and holes punched in the dry wall from baseballs, hockey sticks and frustrated elbow jabs, this room was far from my imagined writer’s nook.
When my son moved downstairs, I sensed an opportunity. Not unlike plotting a novel, this idea of having my own writing space, started with a question—what if I could create a space all of my own?
At first, I let my idea percolate. Then, I researched. I scrolled through images and read articles about other author’s spaces. I wrote a blog and made a plan to renovate.
Just as a mystery may have a heated romance thread, my room needed to serve many purposes. Of course, there would need to be a desk, for traditional work. I’m also the bookkeeper for our farming business, so I need storage and space to keep organized. I also need a variety resting spots to cuddle up with my lap top or lay down to read.
I finally set pen to paper, and began drafting or in this case, scrubbing, filling holes in the drywall, sanding, painting and hanging pictures, until I’d completed a very rough first draft.
I have a problem with cold feet and this space, being above our unheated garage is chilly. Although rugs are not ideal while training a new puppy, I love sultry, squishy flooring. So, I couldn’t resist adding a decadent, colourful rug.
Just as when you’ve completed a first draft. You soon need to delve into the heavy lifting or adding furniture, like moving large chunks of words with the substantive edits. Although, we’re in a pandemic and we don’t have many visitors, I dream of the day when we’ll once again invite friends and family back into our home. A daybed was the obvious solution; a couch by day, and bed by night.
When it came to my desk chair. I went off script and thought about who spends the most time sitting in a desk chair? Gamers—video gamers. So, I acquired an awesome gaming chair that invites me to sit and stay (and as a writer – play) for hours at a time.
I can also curl up and write ALL-THE-DAY-LONG in a great recliner, so for Christmas, Santa delivered a Lazy Boy; just the right size, soft and cuddly, for my writing enjoyment. It’s a tight space, but it has everything I need and before I knew it, I had a pretty polished manuscript.
After trying out my new office, it was time to add in the character flourishes and subtle pay offs. I quickly discovered the essentials my office needed; an ergonomic foot rest, Yoda for inspiration, photos of my family and a place of honour for my veterinary degree.
Finally, as I’m now ready to share my work with you, the beta-reader, I’ll admit that no writing space would be complete without inviting in my loved ones. With the addition of fluffy, soft pillows, my children can lounge, choosing to be in my space, while they check their social media.
I also mounted shelves—of course I have the traditional kind to cradle my books—but the true purpose of these other shelves is to invite in my furry family. Yes, cat shelves! The best space has cats. And, that beautiful squishy rug, is also an inviting spot for our dog to rest. No writing space of mine would ever be complete without furry writing buddies.
And finally, Stephan King will be happy to know, my writing room has one of the most essential ingredients… a door I’m willing to shut.
P.S. I kept my son’s train and his glow in the dark stars. A little bit of magic to help spark my imagination.
And great idea for the gamers chair. I bought my daughter one, but never thought of myself.
It looks beautiful! And has all the elements. I know, because I have those elements too! Except for the cat shelves. I never thought of that. I think you’ve inspired me to clean up my writing room. Happy Writing!