As a writer, I crave a quiet sanctuary where I can pen my prose, drink my tea, gorge on chocolate, and woo my muse, Elarin. Yes, my muse has a name. You can read more about her here. I dream of a place where I can be surrounded by all my favorite books. Floor to ceiling bookshelves line the wall. A reading nook with a soft leather chair looks out a bay window and onto the ocean. It’s a place for solace, for thinking, for Elarin and me to wax creative. A place all my own.
Instead, I write among the chaos in my life. My bedroom is my writing space. It’s also my sleeping, watching TV, reading, and playing xbox space. It’s a space I share with my other half and the only space that’s almost mine in a house we share with his parents and his sister. (Not for much longer, though.) It’s full of piles of clean laundry, coats hanging on the back of the doors, towels drying on the radiator, hubby watching tv beside me, niece and nephews running up and down the stairs, people cooking in the kitchen, dogs barking outside, and me wishing they world would disappear so I could concentrate. But it doesn’t matter. I have to write. I have to create the space in my head and do what I need to do. So I turn on my ipod, put on my headphones, and transport myself to the ‘write space’.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has to find space to write within the chaos of their life. I’m sure many of you write on top of piles of laundry, with children hanging off your leg, hiding in the bathroom with a pen and paper, in coffee shops, or in the shower. In truth it’s not about the write space, you can make any space the write space. The write space is in your head, you take it with you wherever you go. When you sit down and show up to write, you create the write space. But I can still dream about my floor to ceiling book cases, my sea views, and a space of my own. Here are some famous writing spaces.
Where is your favorite place to write? How do you write among the chaos in your life? Are you lucky enough to have a dedicated writing space you love? If so, share a picture or describe your space. You can share a description of your dream space too!
Courtney Koschel has been writing since she could hold a crayon. She has worked as a journalist, editor, technical writer, and technical editor. Young adult fiction is near and dear to her heart, which is why she writes YA and all of its glorious sub-genres.
Tonia Marie Houston is a mother, writer, poet, bookworm, and blogger. When sheís not chasing her three spider monkeys, she spends her time revising a young adult novel about life after death and second chances. Though she began to pursue her career later in life, she hopes to inspire and motivate other writers to put their best book forward.
This native Texan now lives with her Scottish hubby in North Ayrshire, Scotland, where she wanders the moors in search of William Wallace. She has been a guest blogger on Writer Unboxed and is currently working on the sequel to her YA supernatural novel, Touched by Darkness.
Jamie Raintree writes what she likes to call everyday fairytale love stories, featuring the little moments in life that are truly magical. She lives in Arizona with her husband and daughter and is currently editing her second novel.
Jani Grey is a South African ambivert, writer, reader, optimist, and bacon enthusiast. When her boss isnít looking she writes, revises, or edits YA Urban Fantasies in between work. Sheís sneaky like that. Sheís a NaNoWriMo addict and is currently working on two NaNo novels.
Rebecca Fields is a modern gypsy, roaming from place to place in search of ñ well, sheíll let you know when she finds it. Writing has become a way for her to share her adventures, both real and imagined. Along with her on her journey are her son and an assortment of rescued animals.
