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Topic #382
Describe what your dream writing space would look like.
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The dream space (or ideal space) in which to write is probably one of the most common day dreams of any writer. For one reason or another, most of us are lamenting what office or corner of the house we’ve situated ourselves in to do the thing. Those of us lucky enough to have a spare room have probably turned that space into the writers den. I’d wager that is more rare, though not as rare as having an actual dream space.
Some time ago, we talked about dream nooks. My ideal space in which to read would be the same space in which I want to write. To me, those spaces would converge because the activity of reading is how I come to write. Don’t forget, we have to read through the work we get on the page to review our progress, do rewrites, polish, or even re-inspire our brains.
The reason I most often think about this topic of late is that I am preoccupied trying to decide if I’d like to ever attempt to buy a home instead of renting one. If not, should I attempt to rearrange the home I rent now to make a better space for writing? Is that plausible or just wishful? The main difficulty I face is keeping my daughter’s play areas separate from my work area. She’s five, so my stuff is still her stuff, and she often invites herself to whatever isn’t put away. In fact, the moment I make a space for myself, take anything interesting out to work with, she will be at my side.
Not only is it difficult to remain focus under such circumstances, but it can be difficult to keep your things safe. Imagine, if you will, all the cool art supplies at your finger tips. You’d want to get into them, too! I can’t blame her. Therefore, my easel and paints remain put away, along with notebooks and writing implements. Lucky for me, she is not all that interested in my laptop.
My dream space would include a door to close, so that my daughter would be less tempted to get into my things. I know that short of locking her out is tenuous. However, I have given her my trust and I explain my reasoning to her about why my supplies aren’t for her use unless I’ve given express permission. I’m not mean, just short on funds. I can’t afford to replace things so easily. Besides, she has her own kit!
Another feature would be a lovely window of some kind. In my mind’s eye, I see something like a small raised area with a couple steps to a pair of window seats flanking a French door that opens on a small balcony. Above that would be a roundel, probably stained glass. The window treatments would be romantic, Victorian–sweeping sheers, swags, and voluminous dark panels.
This dream space also needs to be easy to clean. I can’t emphasize it enough that I don’t have time to be cleaning up constantly. It’s rough with a dog that sheds whole other dogs twice a year (January to June and July to December). I fully expect I’d have a gaggle of dogs to sit around my feet as I work. Wood floors make an easy clean up. Dark wood is my preference.
The walls would be that Victorian green that poisoned half the world back in the day due to arsenic. Of course the trim would all be that dark cherry wood I adore. Excuse me while I sigh with longing. Let me tell you about the wood trimmed ceiling! Oh! And, let’s not forget the cozy fireplace.
Now that I’m set with the basics, I’ll have to fill this space. I’ll need plenty of Victorian furniture to go with the theme–the kind that has all the buttons in it. My desk would be spacious, wooden and situated on a the left wall as you come in, facing the wall. The chair would be comfortable, leather, and also fitting my theme. The other wall would be covered in shelving for my library.
Ferns and plants would dot the space, which could be very bright in the light of day, but the curtains would be able to make it deeply dark when needed. My plants will require the light and I take a lot of joy in their bright presence. The star of that show would be my potted lemon tree, who I grew from a seed. She’ll need a new, bigger pot.
I toy with the idea of being able to hide my electronics in cabinets, so that it doesn’t mess with the aesthetic. Regardless, I’ll carry the laptop around the room to lay on the couches, sit in the various chairs (let there be a nice recliner and ottoman, as well as a couple wing backs, scroll backs, and fainting seats). Pillows can make a nice lap desk to boost up the laptop for typing. A hidden refrigerator full of my favorite soft drinks would be helpful, but I’ll need a small snack stash cabinet, too.
There would be too many little details to write out and sustain the reader’s attention, so I will end this here. Be sure to click on the other author links below. Have the hop delivered to your inbox every Friday by dropping your email in the box on the top right. See you soon!
