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Our Team Reveals Their Writing Spaces
What makes the ideal writing space? Some sort of platform to write on, a computer, pen or paper, inspirational quotes? We asked PWN team members to share their writing spaces and what key elements are helpful to their writing process.
Gay Norton Edelman, who is teaching Write For You this Spring Session I, shares:
“This is a favorite space in the house, for privacy and quiet. But I also love variety! So in summer, I take a breakfast tray and my writing supplies outside. In winter, it’s the dining room table, with dawn coming in the window. I need that natural light!”
Key Elements:
– Curtains, afghan, pillow, lamp, carpet in adored colors,
– a new purple iMac,
– shelf of books on writing and spirituality, and
– a new west-facing window!
A purple iMac? We’re jealous! Thanks, Gay!
Jennifer Gaites, who co-leads our Memoir Incubator as well as teaches Memoir on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, shares:
“So, it’s a bit messy, but I made a writing space in a closet of my house with our old kitchen table.”
Key Elements:
– Artwork—some made by my kids, as well as one painting by my grandmother and one I painted myself,
– old photographs including some of my grandmothers as young women, and,
– of course, a PWN notebook!
Oh my goodness, we love your closet office! Enjoy that private space, Jen!
Courtney Harler, who is teaching Intro to Fiction and Sub & Pub classes this Spring Session I, shares:
“Here is a cattywampus view of my writing/editing desk because I am trying to hide my piles of books and papers. Believe it or not, I’ve run out of room on those shelves in the background! I love my cozy home office nook, but I actually prefer to write in parks or cafes, weather and pandemic permitting.”
Key Elements:
– A box of quippy literary postcards I’d like to snail mail to students one day,
– an excess of pencil shavings, and
– a broken stapler.
Thanks Courtney! We had to look up the definition of “cattywampus,” but we love it!
PWN’s newest instructor, Shatiera Portee, who teaches in our outreach programs, shares:
“I like to have quiet space to write because my mind tends to race with a million things a minute. Here are some of my writing inspiration items I use to wake up my brain. I love to have my flowers, essential oils, and candles. My blue throat chakra candle allows me to set intentions to empower my voice so it appears in my writing. Since it is cold outside, I love to bring the outside inside.”
Key Elements:
– Essentials oils and my love spray,
– a throat chakra candle,
– flowers: yellow represents my uncle who has passed on and pink roses are my favorite, and
– a cute journal with a funky pen. I love notebooks with positive words, affirmations, or quotes!
Thanks Shatiera! A writing space with flowers, oils, and candles sounds perfect. Happy writing!
Starting March 8, Eileen Whitener is teaching the generative writing class Just Write for Spring Session I. She shares:
“I recently moved my writing space to a spare room to get out of the dining room. During the day, I can see the neighbor’s tree out the window, almost like it was planted there for me to enjoy. At night, sometimes my cat comes to hang out and help me write!”
Key Elements:
– Adjustable desk, so I can sit or stand (or dance around) as needed.
– Multiple notebooks—at least three at all times. And a computer or two, just in case!
– Fineliners—I love to write with dainty (and colorful) lines.
– Art that reminds me of friends. Things that bring me joy!
Dainty lines and dancing. Your space sounds lovely! Thanks for sharing, Eileen.
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