I did it.
It’s my very own tiny house inside of our big house.
I finally did something that I should have done ages ago. I carved out a small space at the back of a storage room to where I have relocated my desk, my yellow reading chair and a small file cabinet. I also went out and bought a wooden room divider essentially announcing to the rest of the family that I’ve marked my territory. Stay away.
It’s my very own writer’s cave.
And I love it.
No one is allowed back there but me and Pippin – and, as a result, guess what? When I need to use a pen, I can now find it. There it is, right there where I left it (as opposed to practically anywhere in the house because someone felt free to take it.) When I want to use my stapler, my post-it notes, I now know that they will be there in the second drawer because that’s where I last put them.
I have my music set up, a white board listing the articles that are due, and there’s even room for my daily calendar to be out and opened so that I can see the full week’s to do lists at one glance.
It’s a bit chilly but not to worry, I have enough outlets to plug in my computer, music, and an electric shawl that warms my shoulders while I type. I’m ready to rock and roll.
It’s part of this writer’s renewed resolutions for 2013. You know the ones, be more organized, track things better, and put my butt in the chair more often – it’s the universal January cry of all writers everywhere. Well, I finally have my spot in which to write and while it might sound selfish of me to say that no one else is welcome here, it is what it is. With a dedicated spot, comes a sense of dedicated commitment.
In other words, if I have a desk to write at then I’ll write at that desk.
How about you? What are you doing to make sure that you can do your writing this new year?
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Wendy Thomas is an award winning journalist, columnist, and blogger who believes that taking challenges in life will always lead to goodness. She is the mother of 6 funny and creative kids and it is her goal to teach them through stories and lessons.
Wendy’s current project involves writing about her family’s experiences with chickens (yes, chickens). (www.simplethrift.wordpress.com)
You’re welcome to visit, just be sure to knock first.
Live to Write - Write to Live 
Congratulations on making real your plan of having your new cave for writers.
Many thanks for your comment. A writer’s cave is definitely the way to go.
Wendy
Yay! Good on you for creating that creative space. I am working on many small things to help my writing this year, but right now the primary one is ritual: work at it every day.
A cave is only as useful as it is used. Butt in chair is equally important. Keep at it.
Love this! Congrats on your new space! And this year it’s all about motivation for me. Even if I do have my own space, peace and quiet, or whatever, it doesn’t matter unless I have motivation. So I am working on motivating myself in both my writing and other aspects of my life.
Great post! 🙂
And here’s a little more motivation – Yeah you! You can do it! Go, go, go. 🙂
Wendy
I know I should clean out the ‘office-space’ around here. It must be great, having room for oneself and writing sometimes.
Having this space allows me to concentrate on what I need to do. This hidden space makes me focus on nothing else but my writing.
This year…no television anywhere near where I scribble. That would seem simple enough but tough for a news junkie to abide.
I don’t watch TV during the day but I do check the new sites a little too often. I’m with you on the time-suck aspect – just one little peek has me then looking at that news story, and that other one over there, and….
Love this. My hubby promises that one day he’ll build me a little shed/office in our backyard where I can go to write… Enjoy yours!
Ideally I’d love a little writer’s shack but until then, this cave will do.
I just did the same thing! I have a corner in a house that is mine, mine, all mine! My older children respect this, but the 2 year old, well…he’s still learning 🙂 A great start to this new year!
I remember the first times to have my own space and things were where I left them. That is awesome. My goal now is to consolidate my space. I have a whole room and things get lost in it. Well, not completely lost maybe, but I have this habit of everything having more than one space to be depending on which side of the room I am on.
That’s funny because my kids were talking about me clearing out the rest of the room and “spreading out.” Not interested, I told them, this is all I need to do what I need to do. If I had more space, I would just fill it up. (I also tend to lose things)
Ahhh, to have some space! This looks wonderfully cosy. I am sure it will really boost productivity 🙂
In the 3 days I’ve had this cave, already I’ve done more than I typically do in a week (although it helps that the kids have *finally* gone back to school after the holiday break.)
Good for you! It helps to have your own space, especially with a houseful of people. I have an office at home. It’s my luxury although people still come upstairs and bother me there, but less often than they did when my desk was in an open area and they strolled through with constant interruptions.
Lucky for us, mebbe – does this mean you’ll do more posts this year? Hope so! Love your posts!
Laura,
Thank you for your comments. Yes, you will be seeing more posts from me this year. With organization comes productivity. I have a lot of irons in the fire right now but one of my 2013 goals is to write more consistently for this blog.
You will definitely be seeing more of me this year. 🙂
Wendy
This is fantastic!! I really need to figure out dedicated time/space for my writing. Sharing a small apartment with two other people does not make it easy. I love that you have found room for yourself and your craft!
A room divider can be your friend. Right now, I have the back third of a tiny storage room as my cave. I might make it larger, I might not. My fear is that if I expand, then like the ballpark in the field of dreams, they (the kids) will come. By keeping it tiny there is no room for anyone to be back here but myself.
And that’s the way I like it.
Having your own space is empowering. Protect it against all interlopers – they will come when you least expect them. Long ago I decided one of my ten rules should be ‘Always Have Your Own Room’ and I have never regretted the inclusion. When I moved to Cleveland recently, I had to be a little more creative about carving out me space… but I made it priority. Do the same – ALWAYS!
http://aslamminadventure.com/2012/03/29/rule-02-always-have-your-own-room/
Fabulous advice, and you’re right about making it a priority.
I have a desk in the corner of my bedroom. It’s not ideal, but at least I can close the door.
A desk in a corner is a start. Consider using panels (hang a sheet if you have to) in order to further ensure your privacy.
Bravo! It’s the little things that make a huge difference, like having a post-it when you need it or a pen when an idea swirls into place. I carved out my space long ago, but it takes work to protect it! Yours sounds delightful. Happy writing to you!
Many thanks and yes, I did smile when I used a post-it yesterday.
Super great! How is it heated though?
The photo is just a picture of a tiny shack. My cave is in the back corner of a storage room and is heated by way of an electric heater. I daresay, even on the coldest days, it can get quite cozy.
I have a very small old cabin I’m restoring for a writing space. There is no electricity. I have a wood stove, kerosene lanterns, and a view of woods and mountains. It’s exactly how it was when I lived alone there many years ago. I’m refusing electricity so that when I write, there are no distractions as I get sucked into games and emails and facebook and…anything that allows me to avoid writing. When I am in the cabin, in that lantern glow, with pen and paper, the words flow. Hope your space works as well for you.
Perhaps a cabin will be my next step. I have been obsessing about tiny houses for the longest time, although as a mom with so many kids still at home, I know that I can’t ever be too far away.
I can still dream though.
What am I doing? I got up early this morning with a view to write a blog post before breakfast. So far I have made porridge and tea and read other people’s blogs. But that’s all useful isn’t it? Particularly the porridge.
Porridge is good, especially on a chilly day. But now get to work.
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Why didn’t I know about heated shawls until now?
And yes, I do appreciate how luxurious it can be to know that my stapler will be where I left it last….bliss. A little corner is the grown-up version of a tree house. I’m so happy for you! And Pippin too 🙂
Kassie aka “Mom”
Yup. love that heated shawl. I also have a heated throw but the shawl is my go-to for warmth object, just drape it over the shoulders, put it on high and type until the cows come home.
Ahhh, that looks dreamy… I saw a picture of a closet converted into a reading nook recently and can’t stop thinking of it. I keep telling myself, “When hubby stops treating my writing like a hobby…” 😉
Sorry, that should read, “I recently saw a picture…” omiting the other “recently.” I should probably go to bed…
Congratulations on your room of your own!
Talk about inspiration…..listen to the stories the shed can tell….lol
Reblogged this on renaldiravi.
I love that. I think writers often forget how important a dedicated area, or cave, is to the writing process. A place all your own in which you can put those ideas and thoughts down on paper. Bravo