Written by Neil Gaiman said about writing: “This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until it’s done. It’s that easy and that hard.”
He’s not wrong. Writing really is a matter of putting words on a page – and that can be done anywhere. But…there are ways to make it easier. For one, having a designated writing space (or set-up!) can help signal to your brain that it’s time to write. Having a space that inspires you can help even more. And investing the time and effort to make that space can help you keep the joy in writing and the words flowing onto the page. (See? It’s not procrastination, it’s necessary!!)
The Foundations of Your Writing Sanctuary
Location
The first step is to pick a location. Do you have a spare room to convert into an office? Is it the desk in the corner of your bedroom? Or are you using the dining table and quickly shoving your stuff aside when dinnertime rolls around?
All of these are acceptable, if they’re working for you, but they do affect how you approach the rest of this activity. For me, I have a corner of my bedroom – set up so that I can even turn my screen and work from bed if I want! I also like to be mobile, sometimes working from parks, coffee shops – I’ve even been known to take a short hike and write in the woods – so I have a mobile set-up as well (we’ll dive into that option in a minute).
The key is to acknowledge the benefits and limitations of your space, and to pick a space that is comfortable. If you write best sitting with a cup of coffee, a standing desk is not going to get those words flowing.
Setting the Mood
You have your space. However, you can’t write in the pitch black. In general, avoid harsh bright artificial lights. Your eyes are already taking the strain of the computer screen – more artificial lighting is just going to give you a headache and drain your energy. Instead, try and let natural light in through a window, or get a lamp with a warm soft bulb to maintain balance between comfort and functionality.
Also, think about how writing feels. In fact, this can be a writing exercise. Close your eyes for a minute, and picture what you think a writing space of a world-class author should look like. Is it minimalist with soft greens and light wood, a clean desk and a single filing cabinet? Is it an ornate library with brass and dark woods, a cigar humidor, a full whisky bar?
For me, I always picture a combination of the two. Lots of wood, and some plants – trailing ivy, dripping off of bookshelves. Darker tones, but not dark enough to make it a cave. Lots of green, copper, and maybe some burgundy. (If I’m imagining Stephen King’s workspace, I picture a very simple modern-style desk, black and white and chrome, in a very minimalistic room – white walls, plain light tan sheer curtains, a spiral notebook on the desk, maybe a few small tchotchkes, but very few things overall. I have nothing to back it up, but…).
Whatever you picture, write it down. You may not like all of it. I don’t want to be crammed between a desk and a bookcase, and I don’t want to sit upright in a big office chair all day long, but you write it down anyway, in great detail. The idea is you’ll be able to pick out what sounds best to you. I use wood tones and fairly simple lines, but I do incorporate a fair amount of greenery into the space, some natural light, and some heavier curtains that let me make things darker if I need to.
You can also add in artwork that inspires you, or other decorative elements. I have a stuffed Highland Cow toy. Weird, I know, but Highland cows make me think of the UK, and between Shakespeare’s legacy and the rolling hills and craggy cliffs, I can pretend I’m there. (Someday I’m totally renting a cottage for a few days and doing a writing retreat there.) It’s silly, but it helps.
As writers, we also know how important it is to incorporate all the senses, so don’t forget about smell. Find a writing scent that gets the juices flowing and use it only when writing. (Hint, this trick is also how I passed Physics. I had a lemon verbena scent that I used when studying, and then right before tests, and I swear, my grade improved from failing to a high B. I can still calculate acceleration and stuff if I catch a whiff of it.) For me, leather and tobacco and darker scents work best. Maybe you’ll prefer cotton candy. Sometimes I switch scents out based on what I’m writing. My current work-in-progress is setting-heavy, so smelling the setting helps me bring it to life.
Add in texture – make the space cozy with a fuzzy blanket, or keep it professional with a nice leather office chair. Don’t be afraid to change it if it’s not working.
Personalize Your Haven
Now look at your writing space and make sure it includes evidence of you. Your personality, your interests. This may be some ambient noise, photos of your family or favorite travel, or a copy of your favorite book always at your fingertips.
Don’t take this as an opportunity to clutter the space. If you can’t find those notes you jotted down because they’re buried under all your tchotchkes, that isn’t helpful.
Technology and Tools
What do you need to write? Obviously, the simplest form is a piece of paper and a pen. But most of us write on laptops or computers. That means you need a good keyboard – I like mechanical keyboards with a number pad (I’m very insistent on that). You want to have software to write in – Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or the writer favorite, Scrivener. You want somewhere to quickly make notes – a notebook, post-its, or maybe a program like Notion. I know you have some favorite pens – make sure you keep a stock of them. Nothing kills my flow like my pen running out of ink and having to switch to a ballpoint.
On the other hand, don’t get too bogged down. I constantly try out some new writing software…only to waste a week of my life and go back to Scrivener and my spiral notebooks. Keep it simple and functional. The goal is to get words on the page, and if you spend too much time fiddling with tools, the words do not get written.
Making It Mobile
Some of us don’t have the luxury of a dedicated writing space. That’s fine! It’s not required, we can write from almost anywhere. I like to keep a mobile space set up, because sometimes I feel like writing somewhere else. And if you’re writing on the kitchen table, it’s good to have a setup that you can easily pack up.
I recommend either a plastic milk-style crate (if you plan on writing at home, just in random rooms) or a sturdy messenger bag (for going to cafes and such). Either way, you don’t have to sacrifice the little touches. Instead of a candle, keep a small bottle of essential oil in your ‘writing’ scent and dab it under your nostrils when you’re shifting into writing mode. Get a small clip-on light that can attach to your tablet, and change the lightbulb for a softer one. Then you can put in your laptop and a notebook, and work from anywhere!