My Journey

Spaces that Help Shape Our Words

Generally, we think of creativity as something inherent, but the key is how we coax out that creativity. One of my favorite ways is through the different environments where I write. 

“Go To” Spaces: Drive Consistency

I slip into my oversized ergonomic desk chair at my spacious office desk, set up with my computer, printer, and file system. Everything I need at my finger-tips. Comfortable spaces are like broken-in running shoes—they make it easy to show up. As writers, we know showing up is 90% of the job. 

Novel Spaces: Inspiring Creativity 

I remember when I purchased my first laptop many years ago. To me, it was freedom! I could write anywhere. I could write outside on my deck below the big oak tree, listening to the singing of the birds. I enjoyed feeling the sun on my face and a soft breeze through my hair.  

I’ve taken my laptop along on vacationing near the mountains of Arizona. I’ve written inside my RV parked near the beach. And many days I’ve inhaled the aroma of dark roast while people-watching and writing at a rickety table in the back of my favorite coffee shop.  

Writing in different spaces is like running on a new course, arousing our curiosity, changing our focus, and making us notice things we normally don’t see. 

Difficult Spaces: Challenge Us to Stay the Course

Of course, we can’t deny there are those hard to write spaces we’ve learned to adapt to—like when your desk is cluttered with paper and littered with empty coffee cups, the air condition is on the fritz and noisy lawn mowers and leaf blowers buzz outside your office window. And yet, we push through and squeeze out words onto the page. Those are the days that make us feel lucky for all the comfortable and novel environments. 

I’d love to hear about your favorite as well as most challenging environments to write in.

Where the rhythm of the run meets the meets the rhythm of the page,

Shellie

Logged Today:

• Wrote Query Letter, Wrote Blog
• Ran: 3 miles