Writing is something you can do in almost any space. It’s one of the reasons why people taking it up as a hobby are often fine with just having a corner of a room they can drop in and out of occasionally. However, such cozy nooks tend to be less useful when you decide to make the transition from hobbyist to professional writer.
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Dedicating yourself professionally to this craft, no matter what you’re writing, requires a place in which you can be consistently productive and creative each day. While transforming a space into your writer’s haven can take a bit of time and money, it’s an important investment in your career. Every writer’s needs are different, but let’s look at some common steps.
Plan and Adapt the Space
For a lot of people, the first step is moving into a new space entirely. Usually, this is a spare room or outbuilding that’s already being used for other purposes. It’s important to take a little time to plan and adapt the space you’re about to move to, as this helps ensure it’s designed to meet your professional needs from the ground up.
When you want to convert a room or garage into a home office, start by decluttering the space and donating or disposing of any unused items. This then gives you a good sense of the area you have to work with. From here, you can sketch a layout and choose positions for office furniture. Don’t forget about the essentials: you’ll need outlets and internet access, as well as heating and air conditioning.
If your intended writing space is in the home, you may need to plan a different set of adjustments to those needed in a garage. Taking over a spare room could mean you still need to keep it ready for whenever guests come to stay with you. Therefore, it’s wise to map out the space to include resources that suit both purposes. For instance, you might consider putting in a sofa that you can use for your breaks and folds out into a bed when people come to stay.
Consider the Atmosphere
It’s not just the physical elements of your professional writing space that matter. Keeping a regular routine that supports your career requires focus and creativity. Making improvements to the atmosphere in your space can support and encourage your writing rituals.
Some key areas to incorporate when designing your writing space include the following.
Lighting
Lighting is more than just a functional way to ensure you can see what you’re writing. Consider orienting lighting to stimulate creativity. Installing dimly lit accent lamps provides lighting that can offer a sense of relaxation that allows your mind to wander and develop concepts. Making a plan to support multiple types of lighting can give you greater control over achieving the atmosphere your writing process needs when you need it.
Sound
Sound can be both inspiring and distracting in a writing space. Particularly if you live in a city or by a busy road, it’s important to soundproof your space to minimize distractions and the sound distortions that can be stressful. You can ensure your windows are correctly sealed and hang heavy drapes to absorb noise. In some instances, it’s worth investing in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones to soundproof your home office. Doing so empowers you to block out unwanted sounds while also listening to music or natural soundscapes that stimulate your creativity.
Make it Inspiring
Transition from hobbyist to professional writer is a significant step. There’s a certain amount of serious thought and attitude you have to apply to make it sustainable as a career. At the same time, your writing space shouldn’t be entirely utilitarian and business-coded. Writing is an activity that benefits from playfulness and inspiration. Surrounding yourself with the types of materials that get your creative juices flowing is vital.
These might be items that directly inspire your writing. Many opt to decorate with books by writers they admire. Photos and images on your walls can also help you to surround yourself with the setting of your fiction or more easily slip into the minds of the characters you’re building. It’s really worth keeping a selection of such images in a filing space that you can swap out with pictures on your walls occasionally as your activities dictate.
Additionally, consider filling your environment with objects that get you into a creative state of mind. Decorating with elements of nature can help establish soothing and relaxing surroundings while giving you interesting shapes and textures to support your imagination. Ornate stone bowls and even granite countertops can provide a sense of extraordinary beauty. Certain houseplants can grant your office serenity that supports clear thought. They also improve air quality, which is essential for mental clarity and creativity.
Conclusion
Building the right professional writing space for your creativity and productivity requires some focus on a few key areas. Adapting the space to suit your needs, cultivating the right atmosphere, and surrounding yourself with inspiration are all vital steps. Beyond this, pay attention to how your working habits develop. Your vigilance will highlight resources or adjustments that best support your specific needs and optimize your practice in ways that are positive for your career.
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