new creative space

The best thing about our new house is that there's an extra bedroom. When The Husband and I walked through it for the first time together, I practically plowed over the man in my exuberance to see the extra room. "It's perfect!" I squealed. "I'm finally going to have my own sewing/writing room!"

"So I guess we'll share this," replied The Husband, narrowly avoiding my outstretched arms. His comment stopped my twirling cold. "We're not sharing this," I said. "Where do you expect me to have an office then?" he asked.

Uh-oh, his hands were gravitating to his hips. From the expression on his face and the way his forehead turned scrunchy, we were about to enter "the heated debate zone." I had to think fast. I couldn't give up my dream, especially since my fabric and pattern stashes had grown exponentially over the past few months, and frankly, it was starting to look like I might have a serious addiction brewing. "You have an office just ten minutes away, so you won't need an elaborate home office. You can set up your laptop in the dining room. Of course! It's such a logical solution. There are lots of outlets and a great window that looks out front and catches the morning sunshine. I'm sure you'll love it." As I chattered on about the virtues of the office-dining room combo, I gently led him from my new room back towards the stairs. Away from temptation and the future home of my absolutely necessary gazillion patterns.

During the following month I kept my eyes on the prize, despite his superb negotiating tactics and final days of desperate wheedling. Oh no. That room was MINE. And wonder of wonders, my steadfast, smile and pretend to listen perseverance worked. Oh sweet victory!

The first thing I did in my new space was to polish up my writing desk. It's one of my favorite pieces of furniture, built by my Uncle Jeff. In our old house, it was squished beside a radiator and a bookshelf with the guest bed hemming in the front. Here it's out in the open and shining beautifully. (So maybe I'll emerge from the pit of despair after all. See previous post.) My computer feels right at home on the fold-out table. I like to think of it as a mini-drawbridge to writing land. That's a corny thought, I know, but I've been so inspired by the new set-up that I'm going to check out a local writing group this weekend. *gasp!* Scramble for your fainting couches, my dears. Which means that I'm dragging out my novel re-write that has been stalled for months and months. (I'm afraid that if I don't finish it once and for all I'll be doomed to wander the earth like Marley's ghost, but instead of chests of money chained around my body it will be chapters of this dang novel.)

So the creative juices are flowing even if we're still living as savages amongst towers of boxes. The favored saute pan has been located, but I'm still on the hunt for the ricer. Really, how is one supposed to live without the basics?

Comments

[The Muse of The Day]

In Twyla Tharp's book, The Creative Habit, Ms. Tharp says that you have to have a VERY specific routine in order to be productive on a daily basis. For example if every day you go to your little room, sit and look out the window for five minutes, open the drawbridge, set down your cup of tea in the same spot, & begin to write; the sheer exactness of the routine will let your brain know it is "time to write". If any other ideas pop in your head (ie sewing/painting/projects that don't have to do with the project at hand) put those in their own separate boxes and label the boxes. If any more additions come to those ideas you can add them to the boxes. This way you won't be tempted to go astray doing a different project instead of finishing your book. In other words, procrastination will be more difficult. I really liked her book. Even though she is a choreographer, I found her words easily applied themselves to all the kinds of work I like to do. Enjoy your little corner of the house, let all your Uncle Jeff's hard work create vibes that permeate your hard work. Have fun. Carolina

[Amy O]

Thats what desk drawers were made for. Certainly.

[Rebecca]

Hey! I never saw U.J's desk before. It's beeyouteeful!

Glad to hear you'll have your own corner. Pat and I are sharing. (If I just cleaned out this teeny, tiny little ol' desk drawer of his and every so quietly slipped some patterns in nobody would be the wiser. Surely.)

[margo]

oh I am so envious!!! We have an extra room and guess what? I share it with my husband despite many "discussions" (read fights).

And that desk is GORGEOUS. I want cubbies. And I like your analogy of a writing drawbridge.