Creating a Writers Space
And why having a dedicated space helps our creativity thrive 🖋📓💻
You can make anything by writing - C. S. Lewis
Hello my friend.
A very warm welcome to A Simple Living Journal where we chat about all things slow, simple and seasonal living. I love that you are here.
Bring your cuppa and settle down for a cosy chat about our writing spaces.
Today’s newsletter comes to you from the newly renovated shed, aka my outdoor office. I don’t mind admitting that I’m completely in love with this new space and if I’m totally honest with you it has been transformative. I feel as though my writing is more grounded, I find it easier to write, easier to focus and I feel more closely aligned to my values.
Let me explain why
I have a dedicated room upstairs (our box room). It’s a lovely space and perfect for writing in. During the darker months of Autumn, Winter and early Spring I generally rise early and begin writing around 5am when the world is still sleeping and the street is dark and quiet. I love the quiet time in this cosy room, my head is clear and nothing to distract me from creating.
Come the lighter mornings, as my desk is facing the outside next to the window, my eyes are darting everywhere except focussing fully on my writing. Watching the passers-by walking their dogs or jogging. Noticing the birds going about their morning routines. I love the light but I sometimes have to close the blind. It seems wrong somehow to shut out the light and nature. I totally blame my inability to focus on post menopausal brain 😂 but that is a challenge I intend to overcome.
In this newly created space, I am outside, completely immersed in natures beautiful sounds - birds singing, trickling water from pond fountains (ok not strictly a natural sound, but if you close your eyes one could imagine sitting in a meadow next to a babbling brook). It’s close enough and the sound is still lovely!
Inside the garden office my desk is facing the back wall, intentionally to reduce distraction. I have a window to my right which faces out to the garden, but the view is a tiny wild patch behind the greenhouse where an old forgotten shrub rose is still surviving and I can see the dry stone walled rhubarb patch. It’s a pretty view but not at all distracting. Perfect for when I need to give my eyes a break from the screen. I sometimes spot a robin or blackbird perched on the garden fence too and the occasional appearance of our black panther Thomas at the window peeking in.
I feel that location and having a designated space for writing is important for our creativity to thrive.
Your writing environment should be a place you feel safe. It should engage your thoughts and help you to focus. Cal Newport explains focus well in his book Deep Work.
Ideally the space should be a place where you can recharge, practice your craft and find inspiration. If you can’t find an ideal space at home to claim a few hours each day, consider writing at a coffee shop or the local library. Most coffee shops welcome writers who use the space to work whilst they sip their daily tea or coffee, and libraries always welcome budding writers.
I haven’t tried writing in a café or library yet but one day I will. How’s this for a fun library to work in?
Outdoor office dreams
A few months ago Ant and myself started talking about creating an outdoor space for our creative projects, a shared space with a couple of tables. I could write or work on a physical craft project, Ant could work on his photography editing and writing. We thought about removing our pergola at the other end of the garden and putting in a new, larger shed that could also double up as a summer house/eating area as it would be situated next to the brick BBQ.
We looked at sheds around the size we thought we may need but the prices were way more than we were comfortable paying.
Some weeks later it dawned on me that our little shed, used as nothing more than a dumping ground, could be reimagined and renovated. We investigated and discovered that the shed contents were nothing more than rubbish, other than a few tools, a few useful oddments and our lawnmower and strimmer.
An idea born and soon to be realised
We set about emptying the shed, discarding most of it and relocating tools to either the garage or Ants little shed down at the other end of the garden. With the shed empty and shelves removed I set about giving it a good clean and then I painted the inside white to make it a brighter space. We then put down some oak coloured laminate flooring, with an underlay mostly to protect the shed floor and also to give it an “office” aesthetic. Ant painted the existing shelves in a walnut stain to match the colour scheme and refitted them for me.
Structurally complete I began fitting it out with some cosy features and a new table, perfectly sized for my laptop and a lamp or candle. Thankfully I had kept an old (but in fairly new condition) swivel chair from an old job from when I was working at home for a few months many years ago, so I can write in comfort.
I’ve adorned the office with lots of cosy features, in true “me” style. Lots of fairy lights and candles. A notice board with enough room for a few notes I’m working on. I’ve added a few books that are relevant as research for current projects. It’s a very dry shed so there won’t be any damp issues thankfully. Pen and notebooks too. I have a heater and a little clip on fan, just in case as well!
Tell me about your writing space(s). Do you have a designated space or do you write wherever the mood takes you? I’d love to know more. Let me know in the comments.
Not everyone has the option of a dedicated writing space and many do prefer the randomness of variety.
But what if you did want a dedicated space?
Here are some of the benefits of having a dedicated writing space?
Concentration boost. Have you ever noticed that you write better in certain places? A dedicated space, free from distraction can enhance your focus, making it easier to dive into the greatest depths of your creativity.
Routine Setting. Just like having a specific place for eating and sleeping, a designated place for writing helps to establish a writing pattern. When you consistently write in the same place your brain begins to associate the space with your writing. So every time you sit down and begin to write you are re-enforcing the belief that the space is for writing and in time your brain automatically switches to writing mode when you are there.
Organising. Having a dedicated space for writing helps us to keep writing materials and tools together in one place. Less time searching and more time on the important act of writing.
Mindfulness. Your writing space can become your sanctuary, a place where you can block out the outside world, other than natures beautiful sounds of course. Perhaps loud tv or radio or a chatty family member. Think of your space as your bubble of calm in a chaotic world, your haven, your tranquillity.
Improved productivity. By eliminating distractions and providing a comfortable and cosy environment it can open the door to writing more efficiently and effectively.
In short, your writing space can be your secret weapon.
How do you go about creating a writing space?
Identify your needs. Decide if you need quiet, or do you prefer some background noise?
Comfort. You will probably be sat at your writing space for some time so you would need to consider comfort, i.e. a well positioned chair and a desk that’s the right height.
Lighting. Good lighting is essential to avoid eye-strain. Natural light is advisable but add artificial light where necessary. Of course, fairy lights and candles are an essential too!
Noise Levels. Too much noise can be a distraction so try to choose somewhere you can avoid being disturbed.
Privacy. A private space can aid focussed activity. Whilst writing, do you want to be interrupted by passing people?
Organisation. Think about your writing materials and tools. It’s far easier to stay in a focussed state when your space is tidy and everything you need is within easy reach.
Personal touches. You could go all out with this. I love lots of fairy lights and candles but you could add a piece of artwork, a cherished photo. Anything that makes the space feel personal to you, and inspires creativity.
What if you don’t have a designated writing space?
You could perhaps clear a corner of your dining room table for your laptop, pens, notebooks etc. Tell your family that the space is yours and yours alone for your writing. If that’s not an option there are many other spaces you could go to.
Library, a museum, local park, your garden, a local café, or you could travel further afield and write on the beach or in a woodland (my personal favourite).
I’d love to know your thoughts on creating your own designated writing space. What is important to you, what do you consider when setting up such a space. Tell me in the comments.
In case you missed it, I started my declutter series in March. A month by month gentle process of clearing our homes and minds. I would love you to join us on this journey of discovery in Slow and Gentle Decluttering
Decluttering played a significant part in our slow and simple journey and I hope I can help you to do the same with this series.
Some recent ones you may have missed -
Until next time.
Debbie xx
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Wow the transformation is fab! ✨️
What a lovely transformation, the shed turned out so nice! I don't have a dedicated writers space, I live in a tiny house so everything has multiple uses 😅 but I write at 5am in the morning when everything is still quiet and I can see the forest wake up. That's my "space" 😊