Planting a Flag

/ Tracy Abell

My office somehow became the family office and then the family dumping ground.  I’d post a photo of what it looks like today but it’s too damned scary.  Visualize piles of papers, stacks of books next to full bookshelves, a dead computer on the floor, various cords and plug-ins, dust, tax files, homework, more dust, bins and boxes, magazines and unpaid bills.  Did I mention the dust?  

Believe me when I say there’s not a whole lot of space for creativity.

Well, I read

[info]dotificus

 notes on Laurie Halse Anderson in which LHA said writers must create a sacred writing space.  Dot quoted her as saying “Writing space creates focus. You’re planting a flag.”

I thought, yeah.  But how?

Then today I was flipping through Monica Wood’s THE POCKET MUSE (a great book, by the way) and came across Ingredients of a good writing space which includes  “The space should be marked as yours by the decor: a favorite vase, a framed photo, a special charm or knick-knack.  Put up a sign, a flag, a fence; pee on it if you have to.  It’s yours.”

So I mulled over the possibilities before moving a little desk out of the office and putting it in the weight room.  I figure I’m safe in there since I’m the only one in the family who lifts weights.

And I didn’t even have to pee to make it mine.      

27 thoughts on “Planting a Flag”

    • Isn’t it, though? I admit to wishing the office situation had worked out as planned but I guess that’s what happens as children get older. They need to use the desktop and other supplies in the office and everything goes kaplooey.

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    • Yes, the wood is warm, isn’t it? And the pics are of Wildebeest and Zebu when they were little. Some in dress-up clothes, sporting temp tattoos, and one in their paper bag outfits with socks on their hands. Where did that time go?!

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  4. what a sweet little space!
    It is important to have a little nook. I learned just what a difference it makes when we moved this month. At our old (read: tiny) house, I had to type on my laptop on a tv tray in the living room because my desk was held hostage in a cramped, crowded corner of our bedroom and Hubby’s was dominated by his huge computer equipment in the corner of the living room.
    Now, for the first time ever, we have a home office. Ahhhhhh, the difference! I can now have (and access) a filing cabinet. I have a bookshelf to keep reference materials and review books on. I have office supplies within reach and a bulletin board where I hang copies of my published articles and my first writerly paycheck, etc.
    I even have an in/out box for magazine submission and review materials. I LOVE it!

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    • Wow, you really did make a big change in your writing space! Good for you. I’m envious of what you have now because that’s what I used to have before chaos crept into the room. Sigh.
      But this is a nice, streamlined place to work. And I’m grateful for that.

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  6. Wow, you really did make a big change in your writing space! Good for you. I’m envious of what you have now because that’s what I used to have before chaos crept into the room. Sigh.

    But this is a nice, streamlined place to work. And I’m grateful for that.

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  16. Ya gotta watch out for those lovely, peaceful writing nooks. Somebody always wants a part of it!!!
    Me to intruder: Do you want something?
    Husband: Nah, I just needed to get away from work, so I thought I’d stop in here. (He works from home.)
    Me: You can go away now.

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  17. Ya gotta watch out for those lovely, peaceful writing nooks. Somebody always wants a part of it!!!

    Me to intruder: Do you want something?
    Husband: Nah, I just needed to get away from work, so I thought I’d stop in here. (He works from home.)
    Me: You can go away now.

    Like

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