Tips for Building a Writing Space
Recently, I’ve been applying to residencies. I’ve applied in the past — not exactly tossing, perhaps closer to drop-kicking my hat into the ring — without a specific project in mind. But now, with my first full memoir draft completed, I’m applying with purpose. Less of a drop-kick and more a thoughtful flourish.
One question that keeps popping up is what are your space requirements? And to be honest, the question sort of stumps me. Space requirements? I’m a writer; I don’t need much. Most of these residencies are multi-media, where I find this question makes more sense: visual artists might need an easel, a folding table with props for sketching. As a writer, I don’t know what else to say besides the basics — desk, desk chair, window.
But writing spaces are important. Most authors I know covet their writing spaces, deck it out with post-it notes and nestle it into perfectly framed corners. It’s the space they turn to when they mean business. When work needs to get done. (I personally require a window for zoning out of when I’m stuck on a sentence.) So what should you consider when building, maintaining, or starting a writing space?
Be honest with yourself
The post-it notes glued to various wall and desk space does look very authorial. However, how will it make you feel? Personally, I need an open space. Less is definitely more. A million notes scattered around might be helpful to memory jogging, but will inevitably feel claustrophobic to be in less than an hour. When all the ideas and words and phrases and quotes and sentences fight for dominance in my eyesight and brain. I will lose to the post-it notes each time. So be honest with yourself. And don’t pick an aesthetic based off what you think will look right. Pick what feels right.
Comfort is key
You will never want to write if your chair is a backache waiting to happen. Currently, I’ve got a cute little antique wood and cane chair from my grandmother. It’s adorable and goes really well with my desk — also an antique but from Facebook Marketplace. However, it is unbelievably uncomfortable after about an hour of working, when I trudge over to the couch instead. Breaking my workflow, and my productivity. What I should do is find a better chair. Perhaps an actual desk chair. Will it be as cute? No. But I’ll be able to sit comfortably and work. I will feel compelled to meet my desk and stay there. Some people might say discomfort is good — you won’t fall asleep, you’ll feel fidgety, get more work done. But I don’t know if that’s true. Or if you should need to feel uncomfortable to get work, that is often already uncomfortable, done. Shouldn’t you treat yourself to the best? Find joy in the work of writing?
Be amendable
Your writing space is bound to change. And, you have to let it. I feel like my space changes with each project, depending on what’s needed. For a super memory dense piece, my work space might be the living rom floor of my parents house, photo albums strewn around my feet. For my memoir, it’s been messy. Notebooks and journals and books piled up around me, a million tabs open to JSTOR articles on my laptop. My work space has existed in excess. Sometimes my work space is a coffee shop. Being around other people helps me focus, forces me to actually get stuff done. Occasionally it’s been the student center where I eat lunch while teaching. All to say, I think the best tip for building and maintaining a work space is learning to take it with you. Learning to let it change while sustaining the heart of it that leads you to productivity.
