So I was tagged by Jade Reyner to get involved in a blog hop where you show a picture and talk about your workplace. Then I tag a few other authors. Think I’ve talked about my place before, but here we go with the picture:
Yup. I got nothing beyond the pile of notebooks at the top. You see, I don’t have a room or corner to truly call my own. I’ve worked at the library until I couldn’t handle the loud iPods and losing my space whenever nature called. I’ve written books at the dining room table, which put me in the main traffic area of the house. Same thing goes for when I worked on the house computer that shares a room with the television. These days I work will sitting on my bed and praying my back can hold out. A lot of pacing and stretching occurs throughout the day.
By the way, the only doors with locks in this house are the bathrooms. Every time I try to work in there, I get asked if I need to see a doctor. That or the son tracks me down to ask the questions one would expect from a 5-year-old.
There isn’t much inspiration from these spots because I spend a lot of time battling the threat of distractions. I get more ideas when I wander out of the house for errands, watch TV on a numb day, or step away from the books. Sorry. This is kind of a lame post, but that’s my reality.
Let’s see how other authors do it since I’m tagging:
Legends of Windemere 
Love this idea; thanks for tagging me!
I also love your post. It’s your reality, and it’s pretty cool that you find places to write and ways to get inspired, and you don’t let the lack of an “official” workspace get in the way of that.
Off to do mine :-).
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Thanks. Though I do wish I had a spot for my writing like an office or even a desk. I tend to feel nomadic and untethered when I write. So I hope it doesn’t hurt my writing.
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You’ll learn soon I have a similar problem…
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Nomad Authors Unite! Though would just mean there’s a crowd of us trying to find a quiet place, which wouldn’t work out.
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Unless one of us finds a great place that we’re willing to share. If we all want it quiet, it shouldn’t be a problem…
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True. Anyone that makes trouble will be catapulted into the nearest mosh pit.
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Yes, perfect! See? We’ve got it all worked out.
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Every time I walk past my bed it sucks me into it. I don’t know how you can do that without dozing off 🙂
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I’m not a good sleeper, which probably helps. Honestly, I’ve never been able to sleep during the day unless I’m sick. The bigger threat is the TV.
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Thanks for the hop. I will be posting tomorrow.
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Have fun. 🙂
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I was SERIOUSLY stoked to see this. Thanks for tagging me! 😀
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You’re welcome. Have fun. 🙂
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I totally did. 🙂
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Pingback: Workplace Blog Hop | C. Miller
Pingback: Workplace Blog Hop | C. Miller
You should come visit. We can divide my office down the middle as long as you promise to keep your annoying theme songs on your side.
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I’ll do my best, but sound travels. Though I’m on a Weird Al kick lately. Nothing wrong with that. 🙂
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La la lasagna
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I miss lasagna. 😦
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🍕🍝🍻
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Looks so beautiful. I miss pizza too.
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Pizza and wings!
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And frozen yogurt!
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🍧
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Pingback: Work Place Blog Hop | Fiction Favorites
Thanks for joining in Charles and I had no idea that you didn’t have a workspace to call your own 😦 Now I am even more impressed with the rate at which you write. 🙂
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Sadly the quality might suffer at times due to having no space. I can tell which sections were written while distracted.
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You’ll have to build an igloo in the garden… 😦
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First I’d have to get a garden. 😀
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Well, you did your ice bucket challenge somewhere…. 🙂
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It’s just a backyard. Nothing garden-like back there.
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Hmmm…. perhaps a roof house then? 🙂
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Not sure what a roof house is. If that’s a greenhouse on the roof then I might have a problem. It isn’t a flat top beyond a small sun room and the garage, which have no access . . . also I’d probably fall through.
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Oh dear… I think I am out of ideas then. Shucks 😦
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This is a perpetual quandary for writers with family. Many spouses object to us closing our doors for uninterrupted time. Many kids seem to need us most desperately as soon as we try to take a moment for ourselves. (Telephone calls, anyone?) It takes patience to work out arrangements.
I’ve never seen your house, but you have a back yard. That’s something to go on. Does it have any covered areas so you could continue working if it rains? Is there room for even one pot with flowers? So it isn’t writing, it’s “yard work.” Yeah, that’s the ticket!
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The phone is definitely becoming my biggest pet peeve. Mostly because it’s all political robocalls and telemarketers. Never for me either.
There’s no cover real in the backyard. There’s also mosquitoes right now. We have one really big tree, but that wouldn’t help me if it rains. Especially since I’m doing a lot of computer work right now.
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Okay, so… Buy one of those bistro tables with an umbrella, and a citronella candle (or a bug zapper, perhaps). If you son joins you, put a coloring book and crayons in his hand. Let the training begin.
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We have one of those tables, but I can’t spend the entire day outside. As for the son, I’m not sure what training you’re referring to. He’s probably the least of my problems since he tends to entertain himself. The worst I get from him is a search for a toy that someone packed away on him. It’s really the adults that get underfoot. I can be there typing away and people just talk to me. Being outside wouldn’t fix that since they can just yell out the windows like they’ve done in the past.
The issue here is that I don’t have a spot to claim as my own. If I had that instead of communal areas then it’d be easier to work without fear of being interrupted.
I should probably also mention that there is always someone mowing their lawn in this neighborhood. It’s like we have mutated grass that must be constantly kept at bay or it’ll devour the houses.
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Excellent post, Charles! nice to see the responses(and so many, clearly a subject with legs so-to-speak!). It was almost uncanny to read as, like your good self (and as you know) I am a family man with similar responsibilities and no space of my own (right now, I type on a laptop on the sofa whilst trying to ignore the cartoons in the background/Oscar making those noises one can’t explain but parents understand only too well).
Finding the time to write is almost as hard as finding the space to write these days and as for the space… I have to clear up the childrens’ mayhem before sitting ANYWHERE! I used to use the library too, my first novel was written in libraries (I miss having the time to just write fantasy and now have only minutes here and there, so have been making notes and writing appendices for my mythology but mainly doing small projects and/or poetry).
One day, my friend, you and I will be calling each other from our very own offices! I believe in you, Charles, always have, always will. Keep smiling and keep writing (and watch your posture/get more pillows!). Best wishes from Baldy 🙂
Additional: Nomad Writers unite?! there’s yet another project there somewhere!
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I think if you have a designated space then it’s easier to carve out the time. That puts one in a spot where others know it’s ‘off limits’. There’s no question that I one needs privacy when they go to their ‘special’ spot.
Something I can’t figure out whenever this topic gets broached is why people immediately point a finger at my son. He’s at school for most of the day and his interruptions make sense. He’s 5, so he needs to ask for food, drink, and help. Him asking me to get him some cookies makes more sense than my wife shouting for me to grab her some water when I’m working. I guess what I’m saying is that people seem to make children an easy scapegoat when it’s other adults that can be the bigger obstacles.
Can’t really think of anything with Nomad Writers. Not sure what the story would be. Wandering bards?
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I completely understand about your boy, and no, no one should begrudge a child a moment.
I meant the Nomad Writers could be a group or something, writers who roam their home or elsewhere etc. Something else many of us could probably not commit to being involved with but an interesting idea.
I agree that other adults are usually the bigger distraction, I tend to be my own worst enemy,I could probably write a book about procrastination but I’d end up putting it off (pun intended *groans at self*)! best wishes, pal, I’m off to work. I’d be honoured to hear any input you might have on my fantasy teaser just posted.
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Yeah. I keep getting told that I should join a writer’s group and it never happens. I keep working on my stuff even though there’s one that occasionally meets nearby.
I try not to procrastinate. Though I think I spend too much time not doing anything because I think something is going to get in my way.
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Oh my! Watch out for your back, Charles.
Ellespeth
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I’ll do my best. 🙂
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