Seeing how other authors work and organize their writing spaces often gives me new ideas on how to improve my own work environment. This is why I enjoy hosting guest posts on the subject. Poet and writer Tesa M Colvin has graciously consented to tell No Wasted Ink about how she creates in her home writing space.
My love for writing began as a fondness for poetry. This soon led me to writing short stories and later on to fiction novels. While I still write poetry whenever the mood strikes, I absolutely love the novel writing process. The joy of weaving a world of words into an entire story is amazing. Ironically, when I began my first novel, Dark Princess, it was one of the most delightfully stressful and challenging writing processes that I had ever experienced. And because it was far more intricate than writing poetry, I learned a lot about myself, my techniques, strengths and weaknesses. But above all of the actual “in-writing” skills that I gained, the most valuable lesson was on the benefit and importance of “pre-writing” by outlining or story mapping.
Armed with info on “how” to write, I knew I needed to determine when to write. I knew I needed to get in the habit of making time to write as opposed to hoping for a minute to do so. And since I had adopted tasks and skills that improved my pre-writing practices, it was much easier to schedule time for my actual writing. So now frenzied pre-writing note taking can happen at any time, but my actual time to focus on significant or consistent writing is set for Tuesday & Thursday evenings (after tending to the rug rats and puppy) and early Saturday morning (before they are awake). This also allows me to read during specific days and times, because any good writer is a reader.
When it’s time to write, I hide away in my own little world…a magical place that gives life to words. And it doesn’t hurt that the doors to my office have very durable locks, making it the best place for me to write in my busy home. Knowing that this space is just for me allows me to be an “impassioned author”, without interruption.
And when it came to furnishing my little haven, I decided on a comfy high back chair, since I would be spending a lot of time in it (not to mention that it made me feel like I was in control). I also needed a computer desk for my desktop PC as well as an actual desk. This combination would provide a little nook for me to work in and afford lots of space for organizing my notes and conducting other tasks.
Every time I go into my office to write it’s like a writers retreat. I can escape into a world that I am creating or just enjoy a little peace and quiet. And though I have noted several items that are needed in my writing process, I would be far less productive without my pre-writing notebooks AND my pink fuzzy writing socks! They are as important to me as Superman’s cape. I often stash my notebooks in different places (purse, car, truck, work etc.), just in case I am overcome by a need to record something before I forget. Then when I get to my office I can revisit those notes and get back on track or take my writing in an entirely new direction. And the socks, well, (Did I mention that they’re pink and fuzzy?) they are warm and comfortable and my own personal rendition of a “thinking cap”.
Tesa W. Colvin (TWC) was born a southern girl, raised in Michigan and now calls the south home again. She is the President of VisionWise Creative Consulting, author of multiple collections of poetry and inspirational works for writers as well as the upcoming fiction novel “Dark Princess”. Noted by many as a passionate author and blogger of all things writing, despite wearing several hats TWC has completely embraced her gift and is more focused than ever on perfecting her craft and publishing her work.
No Wasted Ink 
What a inspiring post..thank you for sharing your space Tesa..I dream of a separate room..all in good time I’m sure.