I write in a ridiculous place
Every now and then I will see a picture of a writer’s perfect writing place. It’s one of those settings complete with nice fluffy pillows, comfortable chairs and a large window within reach.
The crystal chandelier is a nice touch too.
For some reason it’s always sunny or stormy. Nothing in between.
The view consists of a lake or trees. The trees are full of birds or wildlife running nearby. Curled up next to the window is the writer churning out amazing words with ease.
Oh, and one more. If it’s winter there’s always a cozy fireplace nearby.
And then there’s me
Yes. This is where I write every day.
But it wasn’t always that way. A while back I came up with a great idea. I would turn my man’s den into the perfect writing extravaganza.
What’s not to love, I remember telling myself. I have the computer, my cool cup full of pens. My weight bench, a laundry basket, a dead bug or 50 and a live bug or a 100…..damn, I need to take care of that.
But there was one slight problem. Whenever I sat down to create, the ideas dried up.
Sure, I had my computer. I had my resources at my fingertips. I had my privacy and my really cool TV and movies on hand and endless video games at my call.
I’m now beginning to see the problem.
So what is it with these magical places that stir our creative minds? Are we tapping into the stories pipeline? A wormhole to their world?
But most of all why is it when I sit in my little corner of the kitchen it all comes together?
Mysteries are Good
On one hand it’s probably good I don’t know the answer. Sometimes we need unsolved mysteries in our lives but on the other hand it would be nice to have a clue as to why everything comes together at the kitchen table.
So here I am, knee deep in ideas and novels and all that good stuff. Sure, I have to share a spot with the cats and I always lose my place come dinner time, but I don’t mind.
It works.
So if any of you have that odd little place in the corner of your house that doesn’t make any sense, don’t worry. Your creative mind is working and that really cool wormhole where all the magic awaits is all that matters.
Enjoy your special writing place.
Happy Friday Everyone!!!
A Crack in the Pavement 
Happy Friday! 💕
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Same to you. Enjoy!!!!!
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Thank-you! 💚
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I write while in bed usually wearing pajamas.
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That is a nice comfortable spot. A safety zone.
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Aww, I want my own cup of pens. Does Flash knock them over when you’re not paying attention to him?
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Yes. He’s a pain. Can I please mail him to you?
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I think being a parent has something to do with it. The kids trained you to be in a central spot where you can see or hear everything going on in the house in case there’s mischief afoot. (That’s my theory, anyway.)
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That makes so much sense. When I think about it that’s probably why I choose that place. When I’m in the back room I can’t hear everything that’s going on. Priscilla, I think you nailed it.
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Wherever the magic happens is a good place!
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It sure is, Dan. I’m curious where you write.
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Sometimes at a little desk in the bedroom. Sometimes in a comfy chair in the family room. Sometimes, unfortunately, at the desk in a hotel.
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I can totally relate to this! I went out of my way to create a beautiful space for me to write. It’s calm, surrounded by inspiring images and super comfortable. Yet I always end up sitting on my couch, in an uncomfortable position with my kids running around and that’s where I seem to write some of my best posts. I just go wherever feels right 🤷🏼♀️
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Exactly. Follow that feeling. In so many ways our favorite place is our comport zone.
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I prefer a dedicated office, but our current house doesn’t have one. I’ve got a computer armoire in my family room, but I’m more likely to write on my couch (or even sometimes in bed). I think I don’t like my desk chair.
Take the creativity where you can get it, Bryan. I’ve worked at my kitchen table—it’s a great place to spread out all my notes. Glad it’s working for you.
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Hi Staci.
Of all places you’d think the kitchen table would be the goofiest place in town but for some reason it works. As for you maybe the couch is your place now.
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I write, believe it or not during my lunch hour at my office at work. There is something about the buzz of my office that gives me so many ideas and the urge to write. I’ve tried at home but just like that, the mojo runs dry, go figure.
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You need noise and chaos. I can see it. I have a feeling you need a deadline too. Keep at it. You found your magic.
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I have a couple of places I write with my laptop, currently one of them is the couch with the tv on. But this changes if the family is around…my nook is facing a wall next to a window that faces a house wall…not inspiring. But the wall and wall are good for when I have to do non-creative stuff (like update kid schedules for their endless sports).
There are times when I am so overwhelmed with creativity that I pick up my phone and type into the Evernote app (which syncs with the app on my laptop). This could happen at night after I went to bed, at the rink during a practice, at the baseball diamond during a lull in a game, in the car waiting on pickups…it’s less perfect but if I MUST get the words into the app, then that’s where I’ll write.
I do fantasize about a she-shed though, with a triple lock on the door to keep EVERYONE out. 🙂
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Hi Claudette.
It looks like you have everything covered. I have a feeling, sometime down the road, you will find your own space when you don’t have to move around so much. On the other hand this might be your comfort zone. You could be the writer on the run.
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Your posts always make me smile, Bryan! Thank you! I think so many of us have these fantasies of the ideal writing environment, but it often turns out to be not so ideal. When I moved in with Joe, he selflessly offered me our extra room to use as my office; no views or fire places, but a private office all my own. I couldn’t write, not one word. I eventually moved my desk into what is supposed to be our dining room, and the words made a return!
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I’m beginning to see how much alike we all are. I could see myself doing the same thing. My man’s den is perfect. All my needs are met but not a single idea appears. Like you, not a word to be found.
I’m glad I wrote this post. This is fascinating.
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It’s too funny how our environment can dictate our creativity. Humans are funny creatures don’t you think.
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We sure are, Mary. Give us the perfect ‘whatever’ and slowly we turn away and chose something worn out or out of the way. I always go back to the word magic. I think there’s a lot of truth in that.
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Writing while sitting on a wooden chair without any cushioning? It looks awfully uncomfortable.
The difference that I see between your den and the kitchen is the one that makes or breaks a writing spot. Yes, the cliche spot is something I wouldn’t mind, however, almost any spot will work if I have PAPER in hand vs. a laptop.
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You would think that old wooden chair would drive me nuts but it doesn’t. That may be the most puzzling thing of all. I can sit for hours. If I were to place my nice comfortable office chair in its place it would probably annoy me. Go figure.
You have the perfect thing going on. Paper, laptop and a spot of your choosing.
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My little writing place (for blog posts that is) is the same as for my job … sitting at my kitchen table. Not ostentatious in the least are we?
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Another kitchen table writer. Yes!!!
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Yes! Since Day 1!
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I spill myself in any comfy chair and lap desk handy. This is because I am doing more than one thing at a time.
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All of our comfy chairs are either used by the kids or the cats. I’m now getting a feel for why I sit where I do. 🙂
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I believe in assigning a space of the house for writing, but whenever you are way from it, you need pen and notebook in your pocket. Creativity strikes in random places!
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They do. I once fixed a plot hole in a Safeway parking lot. Always keep something handy. Things happen for no reason and vanish in an instant.
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I write at my dinning table too. And if the kids are home, I sit on my bed… at least I’m surrounded by pillows. 😅
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Pillows are nice. Never underestimate the power of pillows.
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Sometimes I wonder if it’s simply a quality of the light–there’s a certain energy that comes with that. My writing room has that–it’s my happy place:-)
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You might have something here. We have this big powerful light above the kitchen table and the large window to the backyard. It’s probably the best lighting system in the house.
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And I’m surrounded by windows and trees–very conducive to deep thought:-)
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I love that writer’s study, Bryan. I write in the kitchen during summer time. During the winter, I write at the dining room table if a fire is lite in our sitting room, if not, I write … wait for it … at the kitchen table. I also write in the car, during lunch time at work and anywhere else I happen to find a few spare minutes.
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It sounds like you have a handful of magic spots as well. Sometimes writing in the car is comforting. I don’t know why but I like it. There have been times where I have been tempted to work on some things in a parking lot. I swear we are an interesting bunch.
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I suspect far more writers have a space like your kitchen table than the one with the chandelier. I’ve been using a laptop on the family room couch for the last while (no chandelier, but there is a fireplace) 🙂
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I think a fireplace would be nice. We have one but we have never used it. I remember the days when I was a kid. We always had a good one going. I miss the sound of it.
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Great post. I especially like that first picture with the chandelier. Nice. I’m lucky enough to have a great writing space on the 3rd floor of my house, but I also like to write at the coffee shop or at my dining table.
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Hi Theresa. Sorry it took so long to respond. Darn e-mail rabbit hole. 🙂
We are one level. Sometimes I wish we had a second or third floor. The idea to have a view where I can look out and beyond would be fun.
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It is nice, although it would be nicer if I looked out at an ocean or mountains. My view is all my neighbors’ back yards. ‘Course, I do get some story ideas that way. Haha.
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Your reply reminds me of a story a former co-worker told me. She had a view the same as yours and sadly she witnessed an elderly neighbor mowing his backyard naked.
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Eeeewwww.
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