As much as writers love to write, there are times when getting even a few sentences on paper is hard. After several weeks of being out of my regular writing routine because of family visits and special events, I hit this wall. I started and promptly abandoned several pieces because my brain just wouldn’t cooperate getting the ideas onto the page.
Yesterday, as I once again sat at the computer staring at the blank page, I looked around at my desk. I started thinking about the writing process as a whole, and how writers have certain rituals and items that are “must haves” for their own writing process.
I live in a one-bedroom apartment, so my bedroom doubles as an office space. Furniture and accessories are limited to those I most need. My computer/printer, paper, notebooks, and pens/pencils are a given. In addition to those items, I have five key things that I consider Must Haves for my writing space.
MUSIC
Whether a local radio station on my stereo, my iTunes playlists, or an internet music app, music is a great way to stimulate creativity. I end up listening to a wide range of styles and artists because what helps me focus depends on what I’m writing. There are some days I want more up tempo songs, and other days require something more mellow. I’ve found that instrumental music is better for editing because song lyrics don’t get mixed up in trying to determine the right words in my manuscript.
POST-IT NOTES & NOTE CARDS
I admit I have a bit of an obsession with Post-It Notes and note cards. Post-Its are great for general notes. If there’s something I want to add to a certain scene, I write it on the Post-It and stick it to the page where that idea should go. I sometimes create a “Work-In-Progress Wall” (similar to a story board) where I use Post-Its stuck on a wall as a visual outline for a project. The notes can be rearranged as the project progresses. I use Post-It flags to mark passages in books I might use later.
I keep note cards in my desk at work, in my purse/bag/suitcase when I’m on the go, and always have multiple stacks on hand at home. I use them for notes, writing down quotes or information for research, keeping track of my daily schedule and goals, character sketches, tracking progress on a project, and much more. (For those who prefer a digital note card, Evernote is a great app.)
CORK BOARD & WHITE BOARD
When I have information I need longer term, I utilize a cork board and white board to save those things. I most often use the cork board to pin a monthly calendar and quotes/information I plan to use in future writing projects. The calendar provides a quick overview of events or appointments I can reference when determining my writing and editing schedule. I use the white board for a variety of things, including initial planning of chapter sequence and weekly goals. Currently, the white board contains my editing goals for May.
YEARLY CALENDAR
Since I started trying to write on a more regular basis, I realized that I wasn’t using my time effectively. Twelve months sounds like a long time, but when planning goals and working towards finishing projects, time gets away easily. Having a yearlong calendar shows me the big picture, and I can plan ahead when setting deadlines or starting new projects. For example, I have season tickets for the University of Nebraska football games. During the football season, I know I won’t have as much writing time on the weekends as I do during the rest of the year. The calendar shows at a glance when the home games are so I know not to set a deadline for those weeks.
ESSENTIAL OIL DIFFUSER
This is a new tool in my writing space, but one that made immediate impact. A friend introduced me to essential oils, and after giving them a try, I started using various blends in the diffuser during my writing sessions. The blends I use not only smell good, but the specific oils also help promote mental clarity and focus. I have noticed that I don’t get distracted as easily as I did previously during longer writing sessions. I look forward to experimenting with different blends and seeing how they work in helping my creative output.
** What are some Must Haves for your work space (either at an office or at home) that promote creativity and/or productivity? What products/organizing tips would you offer others?
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