Anne Lamott’s Perfect Writing Space

I recently wrote about creating a space for your writing,  And I saved the BEST for this article because these are my personal faves.

My Favorite Creative Writing Space

Even though the desk is small, the feature I like about this space is the colorful clothesline draped  above the desk. A dozen years ago when I attended a writing workshop with famed author Anne Lamott (known for her awesome book Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life), she shared how a similar clothesline effect keeps her work-in-process organized. She suggests hanging chapters of your manuscript above your writing desk, each one clipped separately by a clothespin or binder clip. Then as new ideas crop up, or you’re ready for revisions, the manuscript pages are right there, organized and easily plucked from the line. I’ve envisioned such a line above my desk ever since. Seeing this colorful example refreshes the idea.

My Second Most Favorite Creative Writing Space

I generally go for warm tones and a homey vibe. But the visuals in this inspired home office space are making me rethink that decor for my office. What if I had a clean spare space that didn’t distract me? What if everything was put away and I truly worked from a blank slate every day? There’s a certain calmness created by the tip-top organization, don’t you think?

What if… just sayin’…  for the sake of my inner creativity… what might I produce in a room like this?

Your Turn

1.  Are you an organized writer? What tools do you use? Will you consider the clothesline now?

2. Is your writing space clutter-free? Do you prefer to write in a clean spare space or in a messier environment?

I’d love to hear from you! Please post your thoughts in the comments box.

(photo credit: Thomas J. Story)