August 19, 2013
-
MY WORK SPACE!
What Does A Writer’s Space Look Like?
I’ve said I’ve been hard at work writing a book, and I’m not kidding. I’m doing a chapter every few days. I had to rework chapter 3 and then I started getting ideas for chapter 4, so a couple days ago I left 3 and went to 4.
If you want to know what a writer’s work space looks like, you’ll have to ask a writer.
This is my desk, where I write.
The laptop is a Dell XPS M1330. It’s an old one. The wireless has been disabled, and all the games and any other fun stuff has been removed. I bought the puter used, and wiped clean. It’s small and light, has never and will never be connected to the internet. You’ll notice also an iPad with a wireless keyboard and the wires sitting in front of the iPad are my ear buds. I listen to music while I write. But the iPad serves a more important job. I need the iPad because it is connected to my wireless network. When I need to do research I use my iPad. I don’t have room for another computer so the iPad is great. If I’m too tempted to procrastinate then I put the iPad away and focus on writing.
The only thing I’m allowed to do on the Writing ‘Puter is writing, and I’ve never done anything else with it. I love that it is recycled, and that I’ll never have it connected.
This picture is the left side of my writing space. You’ll notice there are two printers on my desk. The one farthest to the left, with a John Wesley bobble head riding atop it (Thanks Jimmy Mallory for getting me the cool John Wesley bobble head!!), is my wireless printer. I print from my other computers and my iPad on that one. The printer closest to my Writing ‘Puter is a cheapy printer which is wired to my Writing ‘Puter. When I travel or want a cup of coffee at Starbucks I can easily carry everything (except the printer) with me.
If you look at the first picture you’ll be looking at the first page of Chapter 4. Since the Writing ‘Puter isn’t connected I have to print it out, and then load it on the scanner of the wireless printer, so I can scan it too email for the select few who I’ll send drafts of the book to for their input. I could use USB storage, but I don’t want anything getting from my other computers into my Writer. So I’m decidedly low tech, and I’ll stay that way.
At this rate I could have a finished first draft by the end of October. Anyway if you find a writer somewhere please aks them what a writer’s work space is supposed to look like. I’d like to know how real writers work.
Blessings!!
Comments (19)
simplicity is NOT overrated!
I like your “not a writer” writing corner. I’m not a writer either, so I don’t know what it’s supposed to be. Yours looks eminently useful to me. write ON!!! lol
Congrats on getting your book written.
I just love your wonderfully low-tech, highly-focused writing machine.
Smart! I too need a wiped laptop.
@Tempguestbrief - For me it has to be simple too much around and I get distracted too easily. I got the idea from a writer…can’t remember his name, but he had an old lap top he had on a desk. He had a desk an internet disabled lap top, a chair and nothing else. I have a lot more around my writing space, but the work space is as clean as I can get it for now.
@musterion99 - I’d like to take the credit, but God has made it clear to me that it’s a work he wants done. He has his way of getting our attention and making sure we get focused on what he desires…if we’re willing for hime to lead us in that way. And thanks it feels pretty good.
@sonnetjoy - It works, for me. I am easily distracted, but when I sit down it helps me to focus my thinking. Everything is set out, and pointed toward writing.
@GreekPhysique - It helps me, knowing it is completely devoted to nothing but writing keeps me going in the right direction. A clean computer makes it easier to get and stay focused on the task of writing, since I only use it for writing.
I think being disconnected from the internet might be useful and get a lot more done for everyone.
I like your set up and after dealing with 45+ year old people who can barely use a printer, I am proud that you can scan your documents. It’s a good way to keep your computer clean. Thanks for sharing!
@Mansonschicks - Yeah, my generation didn’t grow up with home computers. I didn’t get my first computer until 1999. I was 35 years old then. I’ve decided to stay as up to date as an old gezzer can. People would definately get more done if they weren’t as connected. I sometimes struggle at work since I got a smart phone. I have enough work to help keep me focused, so I don’t give in to the temptation to play with the phone too much at work.
@Such_are_you - Unfortunately, a lot of my job includes the internet. There is no filter either, so I once misspelled a baseball players name and came across some very unsavory images. I’ve never shut down the window so fast!
@Mansonschicks - Okay, just got what you were saying. I like my filters. But some searches still bring up slightly unsavory images. The nature of a lot of my research, into human sexuality, sometimes brings up some mildly bad stuff. If I didn’t have any filters I’d be drowning in garbage. I’m trying to help people who struggle with sexual brokenness so I don’t think there is any way to escape it all. There is a lot of unsavory in the lives of sexually broken people, so it comes with the territory. Still I love my filter!!
@Such_are_you - I might consider that for my work computer. Perhaps use SafeSearch.
Hi, dropping by for the first time. I love this idea of doing your writing on a computer that’s not online. Being so “connected” has definitely compromised my focus. I have a million windows open, and it’s terrible for getting anything done. I might follow your example.
That is awesome I’m not sure what a writer’s desk is supposed to look like but hey, whatever works for you
@Mansonschicks - You’re gonna love it!
@reginasikora - I am the same way. But when I sit down to write, because I have a computer dedicated to just writing it helps focus your attention. I have no other reason for the work space, but to write. Go to a computer repair place. Most of the time they also have referbs, which are really cheap. Download MS Word and set your own work space up. If you give it a try I hope it works for you. Gotta go write now!!Blessings,
@firetyger - It works for me, and it sounds like there are some other who think it might work for them. Writing is one of those things that even if you love doing it you’ll still find something else to do. I do love writing, but I still procrastinate. Having a dedicated work space has helped me procrastinate a lot less.