My husband spoke to me tenderly—our gaze connected over the twinkling candlelight. In the background, the muffled hum of conversation mingled with a soothing melody played by the cellist. The aroma of fresh baked bread and perfectly grilled steak wafted through the air, tempting and taunting our appetites. The waiter, a tall fellow with overflowing charisma and ambition that far exceeded his status, kept our drinks filled and our interest piqued with his animated description of the chef’s seasonal menu. My husband spoke again. His smile formed perfectly around the words and shone in his eyes. Those baby blues crinkled at the corners now. But they still held the spark and wonder that had made me blush in our youth. “Hello—earth to Annette? Did you hear me?” The edge in my husband’s tone lured me back to reality. “Seriously, Babe? Our first date-night in weeks and you’re a million miles away. You were crafting your novel again, weren’t you?”
I had to admit it was true.
Most fiction writers experience a constant mental flow of creative narrative. While we work, shop, exercise, care for the family, and complete various tasks we are also busy nurturing our book-babies to life. In the background of our everyday thoughts our characters’ personalities sprout. Their unique features are formed. Backstories take shape and evolve into plot, setting, and theme. Those tiny musings usually play nice and are content to take backstage to our practical life dealings. But there comes a time when our imaginations can no longer contain the scope of the story. The words must be born into print. And that’s when multitasking becomes impossible.
As with any pregnancy, there’s labor involved in bringing a story into the world. As a former doula, or birth-coach, I can attest to the fact that the best location to deliver any human baby is the place the mom feels most at ease. That place may vary from mom to mom, but the elements are always the same. Whether at home, in a hospital, or a birthing center the most important thing is that the venue is a safe, secluded space that is well stocked with essential items that will aid in the delivery and care of the newborn. I have found the same to be true with birthing book-babies. The laboring process progresses much more smoothly in a dedicated space.
Finding your perfect writing nook might involve some experimentation. You’ll want to find a spot that will allow your creative juices to flow, unhindered by the roadblocks of normal life. This will look different for every writer. But the overall goal should be to create a distraction free zone. Your area should be an escape—a place to temporarily forsake every other responsibility for the sake of writing. Once there, surround yourself with items that inspire creativity and equip yourself with the best writing resources available. Be sure to guard against timewasters like social media trolling and aimless internet browsing. Also, set clear boundaries with family and friends to keep them from well-meaning invasions. The process may require some time and effort in the beginning, but the end result will be a lasting haven to birth many book-babies to come.
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1, Ecclesiastes 9:10
Fun Fact: Roald Dahl, the author of the award-winning books Matilda and BFG, made his dedicated space for writing out of an old shed overlooking his garden. He called it his writing hut, and it was off limits to everyone else. Dahl explained his strict no admittance policy by saying,
“When I am up here I see only the paper I am writing on, and my mind is far away with Willy Wonka or James or Mr Fox or Danny or whatever else I am trying to cook up. The room itself is of no consequence. It is out of focus, a place for dreaming and floating and whistling in the wind, as soft and silent and murky as a womb…”
Annette Marie Griffin is a award-winning writer who speaks at local women’s group meetings and women’s retreats on the topic of biblical womanhood and finding our identity in Christ. She is the Operations and Events Coordinator at a private school for special needs students and is the editor of their quarterly newsletter. She has written custom curriculum for women’s retreats and children’s church curriculum for Gateway Church in San Antonio, Texas where she served as Children’s Ministry Director and Family Program Director for over twenty years. She and her husband John have five amazing children and two adorable grands. She’s a member of Word Weavers International, ACFW, SCBWI, and serves on the Board of Directors for The Creative Writing Institute.
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