It’s National Novel Writing Month. How to Set Up Your Space
There’s nothing like a deadline to get creative sparks to fly. The right workspace (and coffee station) helps too
Laura Gaskill
November 7, 2017
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
It’s time to push aside your fears, silence your inner critic and get your story on the page: November is National Novel Writing Month, and if you are joining the expected 400,000-plus participants committed to writing 50,000 words in 30 days this November, you’re probably looking for all the help you can get to meet your goal.
We can’t write your novel for you, but we can offer a few ideas for making your writing space as conducive to free-flowing creative expression as possible. And even if you have no plans to take on the (admittedly bonkers-sounding) goal of writing a novel in a month, let these ideas for setting up your writing space and gathering with fellow writers fuel your personal writing goals, whatever those may be.
We can’t write your novel for you, but we can offer a few ideas for making your writing space as conducive to free-flowing creative expression as possible. And even if you have no plans to take on the (admittedly bonkers-sounding) goal of writing a novel in a month, let these ideas for setting up your writing space and gathering with fellow writers fuel your personal writing goals, whatever those may be.
Gather your tools. Aside from the obvious essentials (your laptop, a pen and paper), you may want to bring a few additional items into your writing space: Maps, reference books, newspaper clippings, artwork, photographs and other objects relating to your subject matter can help spark your imagination and enliven your writing. When you feel stuck, sometimes all you need to do to encourage the muse to return is get up, stretch your legs and sift through some of your inspirational materials until a fresh idea appears.
Find your writing spot. Space to write can feel like a luxury, but you don’t necessarily need an entire room to dedicate to your craft.
Use what you have, whether that means taking over the stair landing or carving out a nook of your own in the living room or kitchen. The important thing is that your writing space works for you.
A comfortable chair, sturdy desk and good lighting are essential. A pleasant view, a soft rug underfoot and a green plant to clean the air are welcome additions.
How to Carve Out a Corner Designed Just for You
Use what you have, whether that means taking over the stair landing or carving out a nook of your own in the living room or kitchen. The important thing is that your writing space works for you.
A comfortable chair, sturdy desk and good lighting are essential. A pleasant view, a soft rug underfoot and a green plant to clean the air are welcome additions.
How to Carve Out a Corner Designed Just for You
Build your caffeine station. Whether you prefer your writer fuel to come in the form of coffee or tea, chances are you’ll be going through many cups of the stuff in the coming weeks.
If you want to treat yourself to something to inspire greater efforts in the writing department, make it something to perk up your favorite hot drink — a new mug, a cool coffee maker, a fancy tin of tea.
And if your desk is far from the kitchen, consider setting up your refueling station right in your home office, so you don’t need to break the flow to grab another cup.
Hot-Drink Stations Hit the Spot
If you want to treat yourself to something to inspire greater efforts in the writing department, make it something to perk up your favorite hot drink — a new mug, a cool coffee maker, a fancy tin of tea.
And if your desk is far from the kitchen, consider setting up your refueling station right in your home office, so you don’t need to break the flow to grab another cup.
Hot-Drink Stations Hit the Spot
Embrace the beauty of a deadline. Possibly the most powerful aspect of National Novel Writing Month — or NaNoWriMo as it’s affectionally known — is the deadline. A firm deadline makes your dream of writing less dreamy, and much more concrete and attainable. Even better, sharing your goal (and deadline) with others, whether through NaNoWriMo or with a group of friends on your own, gives you accountability and makes reaching your goal much more likely to happen.
Consider music and ambient noise. In an interview with The Paris Review, author E.B. White shared that, while he couldn’t work while listening to music, he didn’t mind writing amid the bustle of everyday life. It may take some trial and error to find your ideal writing conditions, so be willing to experiment until you find the sweet spot that affords you maximum focus. Do you prefer the din of a busy cafe, birdsong from an open window, classical music, wild jazz, absolute silence? You won’t know for certain what works until you try it.
Find your golden hour. Photographers speak of catching the golden hour, that magical time just after sunrise or before sunset when everything seems bathed in a soft glow. As a writer, it helps to know when you are at your sharpest and most creative, and to plan your writing time accordingly.
For example, if you tend to feel sharpest after your first cup of coffee in the morning, schedule your writing time for then. And consider how distractions play into your ability to focus on your writing. If you need peace and quiet, try getting up before everyone else to write. If you thrive amid the bustle of everyday life, try writing on a lunch break at your desk or in the evening at home.
For example, if you tend to feel sharpest after your first cup of coffee in the morning, schedule your writing time for then. And consider how distractions play into your ability to focus on your writing. If you need peace and quiet, try getting up before everyone else to write. If you thrive amid the bustle of everyday life, try writing on a lunch break at your desk or in the evening at home.
Make other decisions a no-brainer. Writing a novel in 30 days is such an all-consuming task, it makes sense to put other things in your life on autopilot for the month.
Simplify your wardrobe by choosing outfits in advance or by adopting your version of a uniform. Simplify your meals by cooking ahead, signing up for a meal-kit delivery service or having your groceries delivered.
Brainstorm ways to take small stressors off your plate until after you’ve reached your goal. And if you need an excuse to decline an invitation you’re not too excited about? I can’t think of a much better one than, “Sorry, I’m writing a novel in 30 days. Maybe next month!”
Simplify your wardrobe by choosing outfits in advance or by adopting your version of a uniform. Simplify your meals by cooking ahead, signing up for a meal-kit delivery service or having your groceries delivered.
Brainstorm ways to take small stressors off your plate until after you’ve reached your goal. And if you need an excuse to decline an invitation you’re not too excited about? I can’t think of a much better one than, “Sorry, I’m writing a novel in 30 days. Maybe next month!”
Host (or attend) a write-in. If you need extra motivation to get your story flowing, consider hosting or attending a write-in. Unlike a writing group, where writers get together to read one another’s work and offer feedback, a write-in is a meetup for writers who just want to sit down and write, without any chitchat. All that’s needed for a successful write-in is an abundance of coffee, plenty of surface space for laptops, and a group of willing writers. Find a community write-in on the NaNoWriMo website, or gather a few writerly friends and host your own unofficial meetup.
Learn to squeeze in more writing. We all have pockets of time that could be put to better use: Time spent scrolling through social media, watching TV or even waiting for your coffee to brew can be moments salvaged for novel writing.
Remember to pack a small notepad and pen (or keep a running note on your phone) when you’re out of the house, so you can quickly jot down ideas for your story. The truth is, facing a large chunk of time to write can be paralyzing. Embrace the busyness of your life and write in the margins.
Remember to pack a small notepad and pen (or keep a running note on your phone) when you’re out of the house, so you can quickly jot down ideas for your story. The truth is, facing a large chunk of time to write can be paralyzing. Embrace the busyness of your life and write in the margins.
Celebrate your win. Whether or not you make it to 50,000 words this November, make time to revel in what you have accomplished. Even getting partway toward writing a novel is something worthy of a celebration!
Share: Are you a writer? Tell us about your workspace and how you stay focused writing at home.
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Create a Home Office That Works for You
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Share: Are you a writer? Tell us about your workspace and how you stay focused writing at home.
More
Create a Home Office That Works for You
Trending Now: Ideas From the Top New Home Office Photos on Houzz
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Impressive guidelines on the list. Some people are also inspired and easily get into the flow when they hear beautiful music. Having your favorite beverage nearby also helps a lot.