Friday, April 1, 2016

A is for Allocate Space and Celebrate the Small Things-April 1, 2016

This year for the A-Z Challenge, I'm attempting to act like I know what I'm talking about and offering advice about writing.  Let's see how I do!

Also, don't forget to stop by the Parallels blog to see more posts about the upcoming anthology, which will be available on May 3rd!


If you’re going to make writing a priority in your life, it may be helpful to allocate yourself a writing space.  Sure, writing can happen almost anywhere, and you should try to be open to the ideas that may come flying at you at any time, but having a designated writing space can help you get into the zone.  When you’re there, you know you’re there for a reason: to write.

Some people have offices dedicated to writing.  I don’t.  That’s only due to the fact that our house isn’t big enough for that to be a possibility right now.  Maybe someday.  What I do have is a writing corner with a desk filled with all I need to bring new stories to life.



You may also have multiple designated writing spaces.  In addition to having a space at home, you can also designate a table at your favorite coffee shop as a writing space.  Or a spot beneath a favorite tree.  The important thing is that when you go to this particular space you’ve chosen, you know that magical things can happen.

Now go forth and write!



It's Friday!  Let's Celebrate the Small Things with Lexa Cain!  Tonja Drecker and I are her co-hosts.

It's the first day of the A to Z Challenge, so that's worth celebrating!  I'll be sharing some basic writing tips here on my blog, and on the Parallels blog my fellow anthology contributors and I will be sharing information about our stories.  I'm also one of Stormy's Sidekicks, so that should be a good time.  Tomorrow I will have a post going up on the Parallels blog, so be sure to check that out if you're interested.

Next Wednesday should be a full and fun day.  I'll be co-hosting IWSG that day, which I always enjoy.  Crystal Collier will also be featuring me on her blog that day.  And last but certainly not least, my son Jude will be turning 7.  How did he get so big?  I honestly don't know where the time went.

Speaking of vanishing time, Parallels: Felix Was Here comes out next month!  Wow!

I'd like to also take the time to celebrate modern medicine and the value of regular checkups.  I learned last Friday that I have an underactive thyroid, and that can mess with your metabolism, make you extra tired, and impact you in a multitude of other ways.  I'm now on medication for it, and hopefully that will get me back to where I need to be.  I'm grateful that the issue I have is something I can get and keep under control.  Not everyone is so fortunate.

What would you like to celebrate?



33 comments:

  1. I've had several writing spaces. My favorite was a closet and a small side window. I kept the desk clean and had few distractions.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is necessary to have a writing space for the scheduled hours of writing. I also carry a notepad with me to jot down ideas that pop up at the most unexpected times.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Excellent advice, LG~! I know I do much better about writing when I'm in my own personal writing space vs. trying to do it on the couch with a baby clinging to one arm and a pug clinging to the other!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great start to the A-ZChallenge. @CazsBooks at http://cazgreenham.blogspot.com 'Welcome Aboard Greenham's Yacht' dropped by

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very good advice - I have a desk upstairs that acts as my office and my writing space - it is most useful to be able to retreat behind the screens to get things written.
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Look after your health, LG.
    I'm in the process of sorting out a writing den...it's in the planning phase.
    Writer In Transit

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm fortunate enough to have an office (it doubles as a guest room) in my house in which I can write. But I'll also work at the library, the local Panera, the beach, and my living room from time to time.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Big month ahead!
    I have an office, but it's used for more than writing, which means sometimes that just doesn't happen. Hey, when I'm surrounded by guitars, it's just too tempting.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great blog to start the A-Z Challenge
    @CazsBooks http://cazgreenham.blogspot.com Welcome Aboard Greenham's Yacht

    ReplyDelete
  10. Enjoy the A to Z!

    http://www.julievalerie.com/thesaurus-tyrannosaurus/

    ReplyDelete
  11. Having had my own writing space for a year now, I will say that you're spot on with this advice. The dedicated space gets me in the zone and lets the family know that I'm working and to leave me alone unless there's blood or fire involved.
    Discarded Darlings

    ReplyDelete
  12. The hard part is allocating a space that the cats don't plan to take over. I just threw one of the cats out to the porch for persistent attempts to play with the keyboard.

    Nissa Annakindt
    http://myantimatterlife.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I need that Magical Thing to happen more often. Oh wait, I signed up for a month long blogfest! Silly me!

    Great start! Thanks for being a Sidekick! You sure are busy right now!

    Heather M. Gardner / @hmgardner
    Co-Host, Blogging from A to Z April Challenge
    The Waiting is the Hardest Part

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have a study and standing desk for writing, but I also sometimes like to sit in the kitchen with my Surface and work there, or in bed sometimes as well, so I have multiple writing places, but the main place is my study :)
    Sophie
    Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles | Wittegen Press | FB3X

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think you started out with the right advice. I love my desk, book shelves, but especially my laptop as I can take it anywhere and write, write, write. Especially the sun porch! :)
    So glad they discovered your medical issue, it makes all the difference in the world!
    Ninja Minion doing her duty. LOL

    Thank you for posting for the A to Z! Ninga Minion @YolandaRenee from
    Defending The Pen
    Parallels
    Murderous Imaginings

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm so glad you discovered your thyroid problem and are taking meds. It's no fun to feel tired all the time. Your theme of advice to writers is excellent! I have an "office" in the corner of my bedroom, but at least it's quiet 'coz it's away from the living room and the TV. Have a great weekend! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wonderful post. My writing space is a small bedroom. With the kids all grown and gone, I made it my "office." It's great you discovered your health problem and can treat it now. Nice to "meet" you.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I used to have an allocated writing space, but my new place just isn't big enough. And I have to say my creativity definitely took a hit as a result.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Creative space is crucial. Even just a space to think. I'm about to move into the in'laws until our house purchase has gone through to the whole 'writing space' thing will be lost. Any 'space' at all will be impossible.

    ReplyDelete
  20. PS I have hashimotos desease, so I feel your pain. Least now you can get it treated. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I write all over the house. I like to move around because I get bored sitting in the same spot.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sorry to hear about you thyroid - hope the meds work out well! And boy, aren't you a busy beaver :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. I have a designated writing space set up downstairs but I'm not very good at sticking to it, the space I mean. I tend to migrate depending on mood. Thank goodness for laptops! hee hee

    ReplyDelete
  24. Currently I'm using the public library as my writing space - less distractions than home and I feel as though I'm going to the office :)

    Molly @MyCozyBookNook
    My Cozy Book Nook
    Revising Life after 50

    ReplyDelete
  25. i understand the writing space well. i need my feng shui just right to write or my mind blanks out.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am lucky enough to have a study, with book shelves - well, a library, actually, but I also write where I am now, on the sofa. Anywhere I am alone... and comfortable! Good luck with the thyroid meds, hope they get the dose right quickly. ~Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.om

    ReplyDelete
  27. I feel ya on the writing space. I have made (and then unmade) several places in my house my space only to discover that it was actually someone else's space. LOL. Often I use the lack of space excuse to go into town to the Chocolate Lounge. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Happy A day! I am making my own space to create in my new house. The dryer tumbles right behind me, but the view takes me away. Drop by my blog for a visit.

    ReplyDelete
  29. My writing space is a small bedroom I was able to turn into an office/library. I love it. Good luck with A to Z! Happy Birthday to your son!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I've designated my writing space as anywhere I park my butt and laptop. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love the allocate a space plan. I do have a kind of space, but it keeps getting turned into "where the mail goes" which is not exactly a writing space. Something to fix!
    Clarice from
    Clarice Creates

    ReplyDelete
  32. I have my writing desk in my room, as well as a Monday Write-In at a cafe. We used to be in Starbucks but we're now looking for a new space because I ran out of drinks to have in Starbucks (I don't actually drink coffee).

    Anna
    ATSP @ Deeply Shallow
    @natzers

    ReplyDelete
  33. i think i would have to follow your posts

    ReplyDelete