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Building Your Creative Space

Boosting Creativity: How Clean, fresh Air Can enhance Your Writing Space

Building your creative space

Staying creative is essential for life as a writer. Even for those who consider themselves endlessly creative, there can still be occasional challenges. Indeed, sustaining creativity throughout the course of writing a book is difficult in itself. One of the steps you can take to keep creative is improving your access to clean and fresh air.

In our current environment, being able to breathe clean air isn’t necessarily guaranteed or easy. Nevertheless, having an understanding of the value of fresh air and how you can enhance it in your writing space and routine can be positive.

How Clean, Fresh Air Helps

On the most basic level, breathing poor quality air may have a detrimental effect on your well-being. In the short term, it’s not unusual for pollution to cause throat and eye irritation. On a longer time scale, though, exposure to pollution can lead to issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among other serious illnesses. As a result, you may find you have less energy, get unwell more often, and that these symptoms disrupt your writing sessions.

Additionally, one recent study has shown that poor access to quality air may specifically impact creative performance. In particular, higher levels of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) in the air were associated with the originality, quality, and fluency of participants’ creative activities. As a result, it’s in the best interest of your health and your creative functioning to prioritize clean and fresh air into your working space.

Taking Practical Steps

Getting access to clean and fresh air in your writing area is a primary area of focus. After all, this is likely to be where you spend the most time working. It can be challenging, particularly if you live in a city that’s subject to a lot of pollution. The key is to take some regular practical steps to mitigate the impact of the outside contaminants.

Some ways to improve your indoor air quality include:

  • Investing in air filters: High-quality air filters can capture particulate matter in the air. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are particularly effective, as they remove some of the smallest particles — including mites and allergens — that could cause problems. You can use these for both stand-alone filtration units and those connected to your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
  • Minimizing sources inside your home: Filters can remove polluted air that enters your writing space from outside. But it’s also important to reduce the sources of poor air quality from within your home. This might include tobacco smoke, which can be a source of benzene. When decorating your writing space, you should also use low-VOC paint. Using a dehumidifier can also be key to mitigating mold and dust mites during humid times of year.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that some of the steps you’ll need to take will be specific to your location. For instance, if there are fluctuations in air quality due to wildfires or allergens, investing in a smart air quality monitor may be useful for making informed adjustments as circumstances change.

Incorporating Nature

Making the most of clean and fresh air doesn’t have to be reliant on filtration methods alone. The natural world can be a great source of both healthy air space and inspiration as a writer. Finding ways to incorporate nature into your writing routine can be an advantage to your well-being and creativity.

One way to do this is to occasionally take the time to write in natural areas. You could go to a nearby hiking trail, National Park, or urban forest area. Finding spaces to visit where you’ll be surrounded by a lot of trees is particularly beneficial. This is because trees are carbon stores, which means they capture certain toxins, giving you access to cleaner air. Therefore, taking your notebook to write in the great outdoors can be beneficial.

At home, consider bringing a little of nature into your writing space. While it would take a lot of plants to completely purify the air in your space, having different types of vegetation can still improve quality. Not to mention that the presence of nature can lift your mood, impacting your creative productivity. Items such as peace lilies, chinese evergreen, and spider plants are among the plants recognized to be good for air quality.

Conclusion

Maintaining clean, fresh air in your writing space can have a great impact on your creativity. It is vital to minimize pollutants in your home as well as find ways to embrace nature. Remember, though, that this is just one step toward a healthier and more productive writing lifestyle. It’s equally important to look at other areas in your life and routine that can be more conducive to a healthy and creative experience.

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.

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Building Your Creative Space

How Modular Construction Can Make Personal Writing Studios affordable

Building your creative space

As an author, you probably dream of the day when you can write your next novel or poetry anthology in your own writing studio. Something about writing in a dedicated workspace is innately alluring for writers from all backgrounds. A writing studio is free from distraction, well-equipped with resources that you need, and may help you form a stronger writing habit.

However, for most people, writing studios are unattainable. Unless you have tens of thousands of dollars burning a hole in your pocket, you probably can’t afford to bring in a team of builders to erect an ancillary building that meets state specs and is well-equipped for your writing needs.

Today, however, modular construction is set to change that paradigm and may turn your writing studio dream into a reality. 

What is Modular Construction?

Modular construction is an increasingly popular option for folks who want to build ancillary sites on their property. At its core, modular construction is defined as “the process of assembling buildings in a dedicated factory or workspace.” Once assembled, these buildings are shipped to the site where they are to be installed. The benefits of modular construction include:

  • Reduced costs
  • Quicker turnaround
  • Minimal disruption

These benefits make modular construction the go-to for writing studios. You can save some serious cash by opting for a modular studio and won’t have to turn your yard into a construction site while the studio is being built. This can be a real boon if you’re a busy writer and need to produce a manuscript or opinion piece on a tight deadline. 

Modular design gives you a blank canvas to work with, too. While most modular builds look similar, the internal design of the space is entirely up to you. So, while others are working on assembling your home office, you can spend time researching the interior design principles that promote productivity and help you feel at home in your writing space.

Studio Inspiration

Literary giants like Virginia Woolf and Ernest Hemingway paid great attention to the design of their writing spaces. Monk House, Woolf’s final home in Sussex, contains a functional dove-gray writing lodge on the garden grounds. Similarly, Hemingway did much of his writing in a second-floor studio that overlooks palm trees in Key West, Florida.

Nowadays, you can even purchase a modular version of Woolf’s writing hut in Monk’s House. The Modular build comes in Dove Grey and features the same iconic French double doors and deck. This type of space could provide perfect inspiration if you enjoy writing while a cool breeze blows in.

You don’t need to decorate your studio like your favorite authors to enjoy the benefits of a dedicated writing space, but you should abide by some basic rules when laying out your design. Start by installing full-spectrum light bulbs. These bulbs ensure that light positively affects your mood by mimicking natural light to foster mental sharpness and sharpen your mental faculties. This can lower stress and help you feel at ease in your new studio, too.

You can also draw inspiration from other mediums that move you. For example, if you’re a fiction writer who enjoys surrealist themes, consider hanging thought-provoking abstract art on your walls. Alternatively, if you enjoy writing realism, you might want to purchase iconic artwork by portrait artists like Annie Lebowitz or Steve McCurry. These images will help you tap into the kind of human spirit you want to capture when writing and may help you beat writer’s block.

Building Your Writing Space

Once your modular space arrives, you’ll want to take steps to make it comfortable and functional. This doesn’t need to break the bank, as small changes can make a big difference. Get the ball rolling by utilizing DIY writing sanctuary tips like:

  • Functionality: A beautiful hardwood swivel chair may look the part in your studio, but will it support your posture when writing from dawn to dusk? If not, consider opting for a more modern office chair with ergonomic features.
  • Comfort: Install an HVAC unit and an air purifier if you want to work in the space year-round. This will add some extra costs to your space but will pay dividends when you can still use your writing studio in comfort for 8+ hours a day in the winter months.
  • Break-Space: Consider bringing in an additional chair where you will sit, snooze, and relax away from the desk. A quick break can be the perfect tonic if you’re mentally fatigued and need to hit the reset button after a lengthy writing session.
  • Nature: Letting natural light and a calming breeze enter your space can help you de-stress and feel at peace in your space. Consider bringing in some houseplants to further blend the boundaries between nature and your writing studio.

Building a writing space that meets your needs is all about experimentation and adjustments. Get started by nailing the basics like installing an HVAC system and adequate lighting. This gives you a strong foundation to build on and will ensure that you’re able to work in your studio year-round.

Conclusion

As a writer, you should be able to sit down and work regardless of your physical location. However, if you want to maximize your productivity and write in comfort, a writing studio is the way to go. You can reduce the cost of building a studio and minimize delays to your writing process by leaning on modular construction designs. These are budget-friendly and will be delivered with a quick turnaround. You don’t have to worry about erecting the structure yourself, either, meaning you can focus on making interior design choices that inspire you to write.

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.

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Magazine, Freelance, and Copywriting

DIY Writing Sanctuaries: Converting Spaces into Inspiring Author Retreats

As a writer, you know that writing is both an art and a discipline. The best writers simply write every day, based on their own daily routines.

However, there’s nothing wrong with adding inspiration to your work by creating an inspiring space for writing. The good news is that you can turn a wide variety of spaces into a cozy place to work.

What does it take to turn a spare room, garage, or nook into an inspiring writing location? It doesn’t take a lot of money, just some time and creativity. Then, you’ll have a place you can’t wait to enter to do your daily work.

How to Choose a Space in Your Home

If you’re like many people, it may feel like every area of your home is already filled with belongings and activities. Although it may be challenging to find the right space, it’s essential. As a writer, you need a spot to write.

Remember that every writer is different, so think about what the best writing spot is for your needs. Some authors need quiet, uninterrupted time to be creative, while others need background noise, or they won’t be able to pen a single word.

Make sure you’re comfortable, both in terms of the chair and desk and the temperature of the space. Changes in weather can affect your health, from seasonal allergies to issues with dry hair and skin. As a result, you want to choose a writing space that’s weatherproof rather than one that’s drafty or damp.

You’ll need a space with good lighting, privacy, and places to store your writing materials. However, none of this means you need a large or expensive writing spot. Instead, you can adapt a spare room, garage, shed, or nook with a few simple tips.

Making Your Writing Space Inspiring

Once you find the right location, it’s time to make it fun so it fits your personality. You want diving into your writing to be something you look forward to so you don’t procrastinate.

Explore Simple Structural Updates

You might need to make some structural changes to your writing space before you can start personalizing it. For example, if you’re converting a garage, you’ll likely want to soundproof the garage so it’s quiet and you can focus.

The soundproofing process will depend on what your garage walls are made of, but generally, you’ll start with the garage door, where most of the noise comes in. From there, you can also soundproof the windows, walls, and ceiling if needed.

You may also want to weatherproof an attic or shed if you plan to use those as your writing space. Also, ensure your new writing space isn’t open to pests or vulnerable to water leaks. 

Use Decor That Inspires You

When you’re ready to make it your own, consider what inexpensive touches can add a lot of flair to the space. Depending on the space you have on the walls, you can hang pictures that inspire you or put up your favorite quotes. One of the great things about computers is that it’s easy to resize almost anything, so you can put up inspiring images even in a small space.

Color is another impactful part of your writing space. Think about the colors that make you feel calm, creative, and motivated. Paint is inexpensive, but you can also buy fabric and hang it on the wall. Either way, it should be fun and beautiful for you.

Make Sure the Writing Space is Functional

The most beautiful writing nook won’t help you create if it’s not functional. You’ll need a desk and a comfortable chair, along with the right lighting.

Fortunately, you can find inexpensive desks at used furniture stores or online. It’s likely worthwhile to spend the money on a new ergonomic chair, especially if you plan to write a full book or multiple short stories.

Remember, you’ll be in your writing space almost every day, so make sure it works for you!

Don’t Be Afraid to Branch Out

While your writing nook may be your primary place to compose your stories, don’t feel like you have to be there 100% of the time. Sometimes the thing you need to boost your creativity is a change of scenery.

Don’t be afraid to spend a few hours at a coffee shop, park, library, or other space that fuels your writing. When you come back to your at-home writing nook, you’ll be refreshed — and grateful to have unlimited access to your own coffee and snacks!

Create an Inspiring Author’s Nook

Creating a writing sanctuary doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and you likely have several spaces in your home right now that could be great options.

Make sure it’s safe, comfortable, and inspiring. That can mean weatherproofing, soundproofing, or simply decorating with pictures, quotes, and colors that spark your creativity. Once you have your writing space, it’ll be much easier to write every day — and you’ll be well on your way to completing your masterpiece!

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.