Sunday 8 May 2011

My Writing Space


It's not as tidy as this right now!
 My computer is on a corner desk in what I like to call my ‘study’ but in reality is one of the three bedrooms in my house. It’s the corner near the window, with a view (from above) of my garden, the backs of the houses on the next street and, in the distance, the lights of the motorway. Not very inspiring!

Within the room, however, I’m surrounded by my 'life'. Books which indicate my varied interests – medieval history, the American Civil War, family history, and Ireland. A couple of shelves of reference books – rarely touched now because the internet has become my main reference source. Four shelves of DVDs (a very eclectic mix) and another of CDs, and two shelves of my holiday files – the ‘scrapbooks’ with descriptions and photos from all my trips abroad.

There are also photos on display - my daughters and grandsons, and the photo I had taken with my favouite actor, Martin Sheen, of course! My noticeboard is full with letters about appointments, reminders to myself and, most important, the phone number of the computer expert who rescues me when anything goes wrong with my computer.

Of all the rooms in my house, this room reflects me. I spend more time here than in any other part of my house. But sometimes I think about the different functions this room has had during the 40+ years I have lived here.

Originally, when we first moved in, it was the ‘spare room’ where all the ‘junk’ was stored. But in 1968 it had its first makeover. I opted to have my second baby at home and my younger daughter was born in this room (about two feet away from where I’m sitting right now!). I can remember that day as clearly as if it were yesterday.

The room then became a bedroom for my older daughter. As they grew up, my two girls swapped bedrooms several times, but eventually it became my younger daughter’s room. The walls were covered with all her popstar posters.

When she eventually left home, the room became the ‘spare bedroom’ for a few years. But then, when I was involved with the local Musical Theatre for juniors, it was transformed into a costumes and props room. We raided the charity shops for full-length dresses, long skirts, Victorian-style blouses, cowboy shirts, black jackets and trousers, all of which were hung on the three racks I managed to obtain. Boxes of hats, and other stage props filled every remaining inch of the room.

In the mid-nineties, I decided it was time to remove my computer from the table in my dining room. The costumes went into suitcases in the garage, and I ‘moved’ upstairs. Originally I had a hotch- potch of furniture – old chests of drawers, old tables, old bookshelves. About six years ago I decided to give the room a make-over with purpose-made office furniture – cupboards, drawers and tables around 3 walls, and two bookshelves and a filing cabinet on the 4th wall.

This place is my home, my sanctuary, the room where I feel most comfortable and at ease. For several years, I resisted having a TV set up here, but I finally succumbed – and got a DVD player too. But I still have to go downstairs to make coffee!

12 comments:

  1. I paula, thanks for inviting us into your home, a peek at where you work you magic is really exciting! I also crave this space, but haven't managed to carve it out yet as I have moved so many times in the past 5 years!
    Lx

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  2. Wow, if only I had your sanctuary. That's the one thing I desire--a room of my own...but it's not feasible in this house. Thanks for the photos. Celia

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  3. ...the lights of the motorway. Not very inspiring!

    Well, I would say, it depends on the point of view. The very same motorway could be the road that takes you to every place in the world! :-)

    Somehow our writing places are similar, stuffed with books and other inspiring materials! You can see a picture of my desk here on WQ-06. Writing Habits.

    Karin

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  4. Hi,

    Oooh, a peep inside your sanctuary: very tidy! ;)

    Me, I'm a restless soul wandering the house and garden from one favourite writing space to another: seasonal, of course!

    best
    F

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  5. Laura and Celia - I live on my own, so the the whole house is my space really!

    Karin - I never thought of the motorway like that, but yes, it's the road that takes me to the airport. BTW tried to leave a comment on yours but it disappeared!

    Frances - it's not usually as tidy (which actually means never) as in the photo!

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  6. Ah, that looks like a lovely office. I don't have a proper office right now, we're in the process of moving. Very cool pic of you and Martin Sheen!

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  7. What a nice office. I love the story of how the room has been used over the years. Very nice.

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  8. Home is where the pc is!! It's interesting to reflect on the different uses rooms have had. We've made many changes in our house - can't imagine not doing so since we didn't have elastic walls and had to compromise;-)

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  9. Langley - it would be a nicer office if I kept it tidier LOL. And yes, meeting Martin Sheen was one of my dreams come true!

    Kimberley and Jabblog - my 'study' is, in fact, the only room in the house which has had so many different purposes over the years.

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  10. What a wonderful room. It has served many purposes. So many happy memories. Its newest revamp making it a room to be envied.

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  11. Thanks for the peek. My space isn't as organised and tidy as yours. Lovely! http://scribbleandedit.blogspot.com/2010/09/where-to-write.html :O)

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  12. Looks like you have truly found yourself a creative corner. It is so important to have a place that is reserved for creativity and work to keep your self focused.

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