Every writer has a workspace. For some, it’s a glamorous library with reference books and a massive desk. For some, it’s a busy coffee shop or a study carrel at the local library. But I don’t quite have the budget for the glamorous library office or the focus to work in a coffee shop on a regular basis. For me, my workspace is a kitchen table.
I have dreams of having an office or some other workspace. But for now, when I sit down to write, I have my kitchen table. Hardly glamorous, but it keeps me focused. I’ll come home after a full day, drop my work stuff on the couch and settle in for some writing. I have a nice view of the tree behind my building, a nice comfortable chair (which I got for free) and space to spread out with any references I need.
Plus, I have a foolproof way to keep my table from getting cluttered in the day to day mail.
Yeah, it’s a folding table (for those wondering, the other side can also unfold). I tend to get distracted easily while editing, so I’ve started editing the PDFs on a really simple iPad app. It acts like printed paper and makes me look at each page carefully instead of scrolling too quickly and missing something (it’s also great for bringing to the breakroom at work). I’ll fold the table up for this process and basically use the remaining table real estate to hold my tea/phone while I work. It keeps my computer out of reach and internet distractions aren’t as easy to give in to.
I keep lots of random things in the drawers: pens, stress balls, my dice for D&D. Generally, the drawers are too small for anything especially useful. There are a couple of books there on craft and style, one or two notebooks of ideas for when things feel a little stale and I need to shake off the dust. I also have a couple of fantasy specific books. The contents of this will change as needed, depending on what I’m working on.
Most importantly, like any ace stereotype, it gives a good space for my plants.
The little one in the coffee cup is a ponytail plant named Millie. The big snake plant next in the squared pot is Merlin. The bamboo plant goes by Sully and the little succulent I call Brioche (like the bread). They’re good support and attentive listeners when I’m talking out the dialogue.