I recently came across a forgotten piece of writing.  In February 2008 I was taking several classes and one of my assignments was to discuss the room where I chose to write.  Now seven years later, I was curious to see how much if any, my writing and my writing space have evolved.

My 2008 version.

I have created a new space to write for this class.  My previous space was in a room at the back of the house.  (A place I never visited.)  My new space is in the northeast corner of my dining room, where the walls are a soft mocha color and my elephants dance across the shelf of the half wall into the living room.  The elephants represent a collection that seems to keep growing, each one with its own memories of where they were collected.  Some were gifts; some were finds on vacations or one-day adventures.  I love the solidity of elephants.

Beside me sets our dining room table filled with memories from our family gatherings, homework sessions and board game marathons.  The table is an old English pub table from the late 1800’s.   I guess it isn’t practical for family usage, but it was purchased before our family was born.  On the wall above the table, shelves house our collection of Hummel plates.  They remind me of Ron’s parents and make me remember all the experiences Ron and his brothers had growing up in Belgrade while their dad was stationed at the US Embassy.  The shelves they rest on were a gift from my son and make me think of him and smile.  On the bakers rack which sets against the west wall, the top shelves are crowded with cookbooks.  The cookbooks are an eclectic combination of home style, vegetarian and bread baking.  My daughter and I have been collecting cookbooks for as long as I can remember and we love flipping through them.

 The light in my writing space is a mostly from the overhead ceiling fan, but just past the half wall into the living room, the light from the north window shines brightly today.  If I let myself I could be very distracted by it’s invitation to step outdoors.  I can see the oak trees soaking up the sun and remember the acorns they dump all over the ground in the fall. But back to the room.  I am seated at a small secretary desk with numerous cubbies in the back.

When I sit at it I feel strong and capable.  I purchased the desk, post divorce with money I earned working many hours of overtime.  It is mine, purchased with my own money and picked out by me.  I love it!  It is great for writing.  It holds my laptop perfectly.  The dining room is in the center of my home and makes me feel plugged in when I am writing, even if everyone is asleep or out.  It is much more comfortable here than trying to stash myself away in a quiet room.  I can’t finish describing the room without mentioning the wooden floors, my son and I spent two days installing.  What a chore, but what a great feeling when I look down and see how nice they look and remember the two days spent one on one with my son.  So, this is the space I have created to write in.  I look forward to many hours of relaxing creativity.

My 2015 writing space.

Many of the same items listed above still surround me in my home, but I have moved a desk in front of that north window.  I still have the desk I sat at in 2008, but I am using a much larger desk with room for my computer and two large monitors today.  Many more memories crowd the spaces in my mind and my elephant family has become prolific.  My writing space has not changed dramatically and I am pulled toward the sunshine out the window just the same as before.  I still can’t sit in a quiet uninterrupted place and write. My writing is definitely more routine and although my first novel isn’t complete, it is underway.  I am curious where you all choose to write.  Am I alone in needing to be in the midst of my family activities to be the most creative?  I look forward to hearing your thoughts!