Creating Your Writing Workspace

Last night I watched an episode of a makeover show. In it, a single mom worked from home preparing natural recipes in her kitchen. She sat on an uncomfortable stool, her knees pressed into the cabinet. Her laptop perched on the counter. Recipe cards and ingredients piled up around her.

Her workspace was limited, yet her time to create was now. The makeover team created a perfect working environment for her and she had her happy ending.

The reality is that most of us identify with her plight, but there is no makeover team hanging around to make our dream space come to life.

Today, we share four questions that will help you create an inviting workplace – even if you don’t have a dream makeover team.

When?

Finding a workplace that works for you is a priority. We have specific places for cleaning supplies, art supplies, canned goods, blankets and sheets, our car, and even for clothes we no longer wear. We do that so we can find these items quickly. It helps us manage our lives better.

Creating a workspace now is a statement that your writing holds just as much honor as your sheets or canned goods. It might not be fancy. It might be a tucked-away corner. Yet it’s your space and it’s exclusively for writing.

Where?

Carving out a workspace won’t look the same for all of us. I’ve been writing for 18 years. It took a long time for me to have a dedicated home office.

Some of you have offices. Some write from your kitchen table, go to a coffee shop, or sit on the patio with your laptop. Even if you don’t have an office, it’s important to have a place where you store all of your writing supplies, books, etc. This might mean cleaning out a closet and donating items to a local Goodwill or finding a unique space (like under a stairwell or in a basement or a corner of your bedroom).

For a long time, my workspace was a corner of my bedroom. It was designated as a sacred space (which means it wasn’t overrun with socks or bills or anyone else’s stuff). This dedicated workplace was intentional and allowed me and my family to treat writing time as valuable.

How?

One of the biggest challenges we may have is to share our call to write with those we love. They wonder if it’s a hobby. They wonder when you’ll get a paycheck. They may not initially be supportive as you create a writing space.

Invite them into your writing dreams. Show them your books on writing as you organize them. Let a child or a spouse or a friend hang a framed printable with your favorite writing quote in your writing space. Let them fill the cup marked “writer” with red pens.

Invite God into the moving and cleaning and clearing process. He knows the dreams and plans He has for you. Find joy as you create a space to embrace those plans.

What?

What do you put in that workplace? A great printer is cheaper than ever. You can buy mailing envelopes through Amazon Prime. Begin to build your writing library. If you are lucky enough to have a space for a desk and comfortable chair, add those to a nook in your home. Bring your workspace to life with whatever makes you happy, and what will make you productive.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT IF YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT

1. Describe your current workspace.
2. If you were to use one word to describe your current workspace, what would it be?
3. How might you create a workspace with your current home and circumstances?