What's Your Ideal "Writer's Space"?

By Laurie Sanchez

Writer’s work spaces always intrigue me. I love to hear other writers talk about where they write, and why. Some writers, I’ve noticed, seem to love to work in a peopled atmosphere – Starbucks seems a popular choice – where they can be surrounded by the noise, the energy, the conversation. Maybe it’s the ongoing storylines around them, or just the sense of living, but these writers seem to be inspired to write their best plots and dialogue when they’re in the middle of a little action and drama.

Others, I’ve noticed, thrive best when they write outdoors. These are usually your California writers, but I’ve heard a few Colorado folks say this, too – that the key is having a serious window with a fabulously pastoral view.

And still others seem to write best in their carefully-crafted workspaces at home. Maybe it’s the solitude here, or the cocoon of creature comforts – a favorite mug to sip from, a favorite bat to tap on the floor when lost in thought. Maybe they have something hanging on the wall that always brings inspiration – pictures of their characters, or drawings of their imaginary settings. Maybe they have a favorite painting that inspires the Muses, or maybe they just have a window with a view that helps with the daydreams. ... Whatever it is, these writers seem to write best when they’re in their “writers’ cave.” I’d have to put myself in this category – I feel most comfortable when I’m home at my desk, with my Thesaurus at arm’s reach, a full glass of Diet Coke near my fingertips, and my front window offering me views of early-morning daylight outside.

There are actually web sites devoted to this: One is the Guardian UK’s Writers’ Rooms. The other was passed along to me during one of our Twitter chats at LitChat. It’s a blog by Paul Toth called Sitting Pretty.

So what about you? Are you a Starbucks writer, a “nature writer,” or someone with a “writer’s cave”? What lends you inspiration in your favorite space?

Laurie Sanchez is currently holed up in her writer's cave in Southern California (although she has been known to write in that pretty outdoor space above, when she can). She is working on three contemporary romance-novel manuscripts about three sisters. She blogs as Mizwrite.