Comfort and Creativity: Making Your Writing Space Work for You

When you finally get time to write, you want to work in a space that is conducive to clear thinking and creativity. Few things are as frustrating as trying to produce poetry or prose while sitting in an uncomfortable chair or working in a distracting, noisy space.

However, the exact nature of your writing space is entirely up to you. Screenwriting Dalton Trumbo wrote much of his best work in the bathtub, while non-fiction author Michael Pollan built a bespoke writing hut in his Vermont garden.

Regardless of where you decide to write, you will need to ensure that you are comfortable and properly supported. As an author, you’ll likely spend thousands of hours at your desk every year while crafting your next novel or exploring compelling ideas in your upcoming memoir. That means you should at least invest in a writing setup that supports your health and well-being.

Ancillary Spaces

Many modern writers choose to create an ancillary space separate from their home life to write in. Icons like Virginia Woolf produced some of their best work when they were given access to a room of their own to write in. Woolf likely wrote literary classics like Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse while working in her writing lodge at Monk’s House, East Sussex, while authors like Maya Angelou favored a blank hotel room when composing volumes like And Still I Rise.

If the idea of an ancillary space is appealing to you, consider converting existing structures — like garages or sheds — into writing rooms. This will help you stay on budget and will give you a space independent from the rest of your home to write in. Being able to “leave” the house can help you form a stronger writing habit, too, as you’ll start to associate your shed or cabin with writing.

Before you commit to writing in an ancillary space like a garage, you’ll want to make some modifications. Start by installing a mini-split system to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Mini-splits are more economical, too, meaning you won’t feel bad about switching on the heating on a cool spring morning when you want to write. This is key, as you want to work in a space that has minimal distractions when you’re trying to work.

Clutter-less Writing Rooms

Every writer is different. Mark Twain produced his best work while hidden between stacks of papers, while Jack Kerouac wrote On the Road on a giant 120-foot-long scroll. However, if you’re struggling to maintain your productivity and clarity of thought when you sit down to work, you may want to declutter your writing space. Get the ball rolling by decluttering:

• Your Workspace: There’s nothing wrong with leaving out yesterday’s draft, but you probably don’t need to keep half a dozen unused highlighters on your desk 24/7.
• Virtual Storage: If you write on a PC, clean up your documents to ensure you can easily find old drafts and research quickly when you log on.
• Unfinished Projects: Keeping old drafts at hand can give you a jolt of inspiration when your creative well is running low, but that 3-month-old scrap of paper with a few lines of prose can likely be filed away.
• Books: Having a few of your favorite books to hand can be helpful if you like to read while you write. However, you should at least keep these shelved to ensure you are fully focused on your own work when writing.

Decluttering isn’t just good for your productivity — it keeps your space clean. This is crucial if you work in a writing shed, where pests can easily find their way in. Nothing will put you off writing like an ant infestation or a few mosquito bites.

You can keep your space clean and pest-free year-round by sealing off entry points, removing old cups of water, and regularly cleaning down your workstation. Screen your windows in warmer months and use a few natural repellents if you discover the signs of larger pests like mice.

Conclusion

Writing in a space that is conducive to creativity can be transformative if you struggle to get into the flow when working. Simple changes, like creating a more ergonomic setup and decluttering your desk, can spark a period of sustained creative production and may help you achieve your writerly goals sooner. Just be sure to keep your writing room clean to ensure that your writing isn’t interrupted by pests or poor air quality.

Amanda Winstead is a writer from the Portland area with a background in communications and a passion for telling stories. Along with writing she enjoys traveling, reading, working out, and going to concerts. If you want to follow her writing journey, or even just say hi you can find her on Twitter.