Carla Damron
My husband and I, along with our array of critters, will be moving to a new house soon. Okay, that’s a stretch—there’s nothing “new” about this house, which was last decorated around 1979. It’s lovely and quite funky and once the shag carpet is removed, and the pink kitchen countertops replaced, and grounded outlets installed, and … the list is endless. But it’s going to be wonderful when it’s all done, I’m sure of it! Well, mostly sure.
Why are we taking on such a project? The house is in a wonderful location—in town (we’ve been in the country for a while and I’m anxious to be closer to things) AND… it’s on a lake. A lovely, small lake where we can kayak and watch sunsets and feel like we’re uncluttered. It’s the best of both worlds.
When we first looked at this property, the last room we toured was in the basement, a knotty-pine paneled, orange shag-carpeted monstrosity littered with piles of boxes and junk. I took one look and said, “Can this be my office?”
Why? It’s quiet—away from the rest of the house. There’s a large picture window that, once the ginormous azalea bushes are trimmed, will give me a spectacular view of the lake. We’ve torn out the carpet and will put in laminates or some other dog-friendly flooring. The knotty pine paneling took three coats to cover, but the room already feels larger and less cave-like. Once I get my writing desk moved in, facing so I can look out the window, I’ll add the other necessities to make the space work.
I suspect every writer has his/her own office bling—props to inspire or amuse us, to give us hope, or simply to express our character. I have a metal painting of the solar system that I purchased when my first literary short story, “Convergence” (about the planets), was accepted for publication. I have an ornament given by my sister that says simply, “Create” and ceramic star with the word “Believe” painted on it. I also have a Slinky or two on my desk. I fiddle with them while pondering a phrase or plot idea. Like my main character, Caleb Knowles, I collect these toys. 
On one wall, I will install my massive white board where I sketch plot ideas. My small stereo will go beneath it so I can listen to suspenseful or restful or frenetic music, depending o the kind of scene I’m writing. Between several tall book cases will stand my treadmill. Sometimes I like to walk and think, but not stray too far from the draft I’m composing.
Maybe, in a later blog, I’ll post the finished project. Do you have an office or some other writing space? What does it look like? What do you need around you to tap into your creative spirit?
I like light and preferably a long vista for my writing space. I have one sign on my desk that says, “Attitude is Everything.”
ReplyDeleteI used to have a second sign that said, “Simplify.” One time when I was simplifying I removed the sign.
~ Jim
Carla, this post says so much about you as a person and a writer. It also brings back happy memories for me of when you brought Convergence to our writing group. We were enchanted by it. I'll never forget that Pluto really is a planet. Could you remind us where it's published online?
ReplyDeleteHi, Paula, that story was archived for a year but alas, it's faded into the ethos. Guess that means I can place it again???
ReplyDeleteAnd YES, Pluto is a planet. To hell with what the astronomy science people say!
Carla, it sounds like your new writing space will be perfect. I love the picture of the planets and the woman.
ReplyDeleteMy writing space is a front room in my house with one large and one smaller window. Both windows have many plants in front of them until they're able to safely go outside without danger of frost. It's my combination library with two walls with built in bookcases plus a shorter wall with a bookcase. It's also my dining room when company comes and the long dining room table is where I do my first draft writing, write letters, pay bills, etc. Clutter and all, it's my favorite room in the house.
My usual writing space is in my "man cave" where I have recent;y added more lights. It is furnished with bookshelves. Of course the books are in piles everywhere. I have three writing awards on the wall in front of my desk to look at when I get stuck on something I'm writing.
ReplyDeleteCarla, I'll send you info about a possible place to resubmit. It should be available to the reading public!
ReplyDeleteYour new writing space with a view of the lake sounds like it will be terrific.
ReplyDeleteThe window in my writing area gives me a fantastic view of the back sides of townhouses. If I'm bored or stuck for an idea while writing, I can watch my neighbors like Jimmy Stewart did in Rear Window. Photos of flowers, pictures painted by friends, and a calendar in Chinese hang on the wall.
I'd like to read "Convergence" when you republish it.
I love the idea of the large windows with the great view. My workroom is bright and sunny, but I have no real view, other than the side of my neighbor's house or my garage.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite workspace I ever had (one that I'd love to recreate) was my office at Ragdale Artists Residency. It was roomy with a spacious desk that looked out a large window onto the last bit of virgin prairie east of the Mississippi. It also held a library, a fireplace, a sofa, and a rocking chair, and a door led out onto a broad porch with a porch swing and wicker rockers. The porch jutted out into the branches of several old trees. It was like an elf residence in Loth Lorien. I got so much work done while I was there. I just loved that space.
Forgive me for not commenting sooner. I am in the midst of renovations. Sanding, painting and getting ready for the tile guy preoccupied my time yesterday. I hope your space will suit you. Your view of the lake will aid your writing.
ReplyDeleteThat said, beware the ides of renovation. Month four here--next week I must bug-out to the beach. I can't stand it anymore. There is light at the end of the tunnel and by next week, I hope we are finished. Of course, this means deep spring cleaning of the entire house since construction dust invades all areas around the construction.
All of that being said, about eight years ago, we took a useless dining room and made it into our offices. I love my office, which is directly off our screen porch. In the warmer weather, my laptop and I go outside to write.
Good luck in your renovations. If you need to commiserate, let me know, but have a bottle of your favorite plonk by your side, too!
Was the orange shag carpet not inspiring enough? Just kidding! Jokes aside, I think it's fun to take on a home improvement project even if it does seem like a huge task. It's very satisfying to look back at what an old house was like when you bought it and seeing the end results. It's even more gratifying if the improvements add more to the home's value. I look forward to seeing what the finished project looks like. Thanks for sharing, Carla! :)
ReplyDelete