Before Covid-19 hit, one of my favourite writing spots was the local café. I loved seeing friends and neighbours, watching people chat and order their coffee, while I wrote. I have this unique skill, this ability to ignore everything around me and get fully engrossed in my own made up world. I took pride that some of my scenes were so engaging, I could disregard the rest of the world and fully immerse myself. I remember these times fondly.
Since March, with the cafés closed and my writing space stolen, I’ve been displaced. I’m nothing if not persistent and so I took to writing at home. The best time was early in the morning, before my family arose. I would claim the couch in the living room, coffee in hand, doing my best to shoo away the cats and dogs vying for my attention. This was heavenly, until my teenage children woke. Then they invaded, turning on the television, complaining about missing laundry and overall… just being their noisy selves, so I would stop writing.
This summer, my teenage son decided to move downstairs, leaving his bedroom upstairs empty. So… I’ve begun to dream of a writing space.
In, ‘On Writing’, Stephan Kings speaks of his writing space.
“The space can be humble and it really only needs one thing: A door you are willing to shut.”
In the early days, he sequestered himself away in a tiny nook beside the laundry. In his later years, he had an enormous, expensive writing desk, but I got the distinct impression he felt this wasn’t necessary.
What he stressed was how he found it most helpful to lock himself away during the first draft stage. This was time essential to keep his creative mind private. After that, he found he could write with the door open, however, he needed dedicated time.
I’m a social creature. I like the feel of other’s close by. This likely explains why I’ve found great success at the Muskoka Novel Writing Marathon, Writescape retreats and planned writing adventures with good writing friends. When I think of the actual spaces though, the only thing I can put my finger on, is the variety.
Some moments I enjoy a window to gaze and dream. At other times, I would rather stare at a blank wall because everything and anything is distracting. For some work, a desk, an ergonomic chair and a foot rest are essential. Then later, there isn’t anything more comforting than curling up on a comfy couch with my laptop in hand. At the marathon, I often stole writing spaces from others. I learned from Brenda Liddle, that standing, after a long period at a desk, can be quite inspirational. I borrowed (stole) a bean bag chair from Cindy Watson and with my lap top propped on my thighs, I would continue to write.
The moral to this, is that I’ve discovered I need a variety of spaces. It’s time to start planning my perfect writing space. I’ll need a classic desk top, with plenty of room to plot and unfold grand plans. It will need to have copious leg room and a fantastic chair. I’ll also need a daybed (to second as a guest bed as I can’t write every moment), with fluffy pillows and thick blankets so I can curl up and edit on paper. Finally, a perfect writing space will house a recliner and a side table to hold a steaming cup of coffee.
Like the beginning of any masterpiece, I have an idea, an evolving plan in my head and the passion to see it through. I dream of the day when we will once again be able to socialize in café’s and I will be free to people watch again. Until that day comes, I’ll be designing my perfect writing space and I can’t wait to share it with you all.
Lovely! In my writing space I have: one comfy chair with side table for coffee, and a luggage holder that I put my lapdesk and laptop on. I also have a desk, though a tad small for my liking, and a pull-out couch for guests, or to curl up on with a blanket and a good book. Sounds like you have a great plan! Good luck with your writing space.