Welcome to Insecure Writer’s Support Group day, which takes place on the first Wednesday of every month. The purpose is to share and encourage, express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak, as well as offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Make sure to check out other writers’ posts here.
The awesome co-hosts for the February IWSG are Allison Gammons, Tamara Narayan, Eva E. Solar, Rachel Pattison, and Ann V. Friend!
A Room of One’s Own
February seems a bit strange this year. It feels like a fresh start much more so than January did. Although it is still technically the middle of winter, it feels much more like spring. The snow melted some time ago; several times I have heard birdsong — the heralding of spring.
Is it too early to speak of spring? Spring after all, is a fresh start, a rebirth.
I will be beginning this spring with some rebirths of my own. My office, which I haven’t been using for over a year, has been undergoing some changes and will soon serve me better. My husband built me a custom-designed desk that will serve all my working, writing, art-making, and sewing needs. Yes, it is that huge!
After 3 months of semi-hibernation – I barely got out of my pajamas on most days – I’ve started going to yoga. Okay, I admit I do leave my house, but sometimes I do it in my pajamas, I have such a long coat that nobody can tell the difference. Maybe yoga attire isn’t much of a difference, but everyone’s got to start somewhere.
Virginia Woolf wrote that “a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction” and I couldn’t agree more. (Have women writers’ needs changed so little in almost a century?) We bought this apartment because it would give me a much needed room of my own – with its own small but well-curated library. It isn’t some frivolity, I work at home, after all.
The room went into disuse over some time because stuff began to pile in there and I needed to be able to work and keep an eye on my son on days he was home sick from preschool. He’s in first grade now and his health has greatly improved. Not that he was staying home sick all that often. After some time, it was just more convenient to work at the dining room table. Although it was problematic if we wanted to invite guests.
Now I will have my room back with improvements, and for some reason I feel like I will be a hundred times more productive and more creative because of it.
Do you have a writing room or space? Do you think it’s important to your creativity and productivity?
My January accomplishments:
- Wrote 2 poems and 5 flash fiction pieces
- Worked on my WIP
- Submitted 1 flash fiction piece
- Wrote and submitted a proposal for a project that would bring my novel to life (and into print)
I do have an office in my house that I share with my sister. We also use it as our own video game room, lol. Kind of counter-productive, but it works for us!
where we can gather for this group? something like follow or register myself?
I’m a full-time freelance writer and often I have to remind myself to shower and get out of my PJs! I’m making money but I know it isn’t good for me to stay inside all day. I’ve wondered about those treadmill desks people use. I don’t think I could write and walk at the same time, though.
I have to constantly fight for the space in the spare room. It’s part study and part junk room which can make it hard to write in sometimes. I do have a Regency desk c.1810 though which my boyfriend’s dad found for me. It’s not as big as your three in one combo (which sounds awesome – I’d love to see a picture), but it is beautiful and lovely to put my lap top on.
Hello, nice to meet you. I made a small bedroom into a tiny office space, desk and all. But I hardly every use it. I find myself writing all over the house because I like different scenery. I’m weird like that.
It sounds like you’ve accomplished quite a bit in Jan. Keep up the good work!
Congrats on soon getting your room back. I wish I can be so lucky. I work at the table, on the couch, in bed or on the carpet.
Room or not, you’re keeping your toe in. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
I live on a sailboat. Approx 250 living space. Our saloon (eating area) morphs into our living area, kitchen, and my ‘creative space’. I manage to find alone time by getting up at 4am. Such a nice peaceful time to write!
It sounds like you’ve gone through a tough patch. And you are pulling yourself together. Pajamas and a long coat work! Creative solution and congratulations.
I have a writing room that is my refuge. I write in there, read in there, and drink pots and pots of tea. Someday, maybe I’ll do yoga in there.
I work in a couple of different places. When I really need privacy, I have a little room downstairs with wood paneling. It’s cozy, and I take a pot of tea in with me. No one bothers me there. It’s wonderful!
I have an office. Or, a “creative space,” I guess.
I should probably start using it.
I write wherever the computer happens to be. Right now it’s on the kitchen table, and that’s because someone’s boyfriend started shouting at his XBOX and wouldn’t calm down. So here I am.
Congrats on your January accomplishments. Keep it up!
A room of her own is vital!!! I couldn’t function without it. Good on you re the yoga, I just started again too. 🙂
http://www.yvettecarol.wordpress.com
Sounds like you had a productive January. Good luck with the application! And spring is springing in England. I saw some trees in blossoms and there are crocuses everywhere!
That’s quite a list of accomplishments! Well done. 🙂