‘Your writing room should be private, a place where you go to dream.’ – Stephen King
Where do you normally write? While your salary and lifestyle might not allow for an idyllic remote writing retreat that doesn’t mean that you can’t make your writing space a productive sanctuary.
Dedicate a space to writing
Begin by finding a dedicated space to write in, whether it’s a separate room, the end of the kitchen bench or a quiet corner in your local cafe. Experiment to find a place that suits you. Think about the conditions you need to write. Do you work best while others are working around you or is total silence your jam? It’s best to pick a place that has a door you can close. This signals to yourself and others that you are working and not to be disturbed. Make it a space dedicated to writing that you come to solely with the intention of writing.
Eliminate any distractions
Close the door (if you have one), turn off your phone and disconnect from the Wi-Fi. Make sure everything you need is within easy reach and get rid of any excess clutter so there is nothing to distract you when you sit down to write. This is your opportunity to maximize those precious writing minutes and get down as many words as possible.
Make it comfortable
Having a space where you are comfortable is essential. Consider the ergonomics of your space if you are going to be writing for long periods of time. Think about what seating you need, natural lighting (if any), traffic noises and room temperature. Make sure your keyboard is at a comfortable height and your chair doesn’t make you over-extend trying to reach your work. Use full-spectrum light bulbs rather than fluorescent lighting to reduce eyestrain. Posture is important while writing so try to sit up straight with both your feet on the floor, position your screen at eye-level and keep your wrists relaxed as you type.
Surround yourself with inspiration
Close your eyes and imagine your ideal writing space. What can you recreate from that image? Do you need to put up some quotes or photos that remind you why you are writing? Would a vision board help keep you motivated? Do you need plants? A bright blue wall? Make your writing space a place that you want to spend time in. Fill it with objects that you love and will keep you inspired.
Take regular breaks
Studies show that taking regular breaks (a short rest every 30-60 minutes) increases productivity and creativity. Working for extended periods of time without a break can lead to eye-strain, exhaustion and burn-out so do your story a favor and step away from the desk from time to time.
Make the most of the space you have
You don’t have to wait for ideal conditions to write. Keep in mind that the purpose of a dedicated writing space is to motivate yourself to write consistently. If you spend too long trying to set up your space before each writing session you will end up reducing your actual writing time. Don’t spend so long putting out research materials and eliminating distractions that you are left with no time to get words on the page. Remember you are better off writing despite the distractions than not writing at all.
