by Bethany Jett, @BetJett
Ever since I heard Davis Bunn talk about his workspace set up, I’ve been obsessed with the idea of having a designated space to create, write, and work. Don’t you love stories about major companies that started out in a garage like Amazon, Apple, and Disney? Or in the case of my current fave online mentor Brendon Burchard, a fold-out desk in his apartment bedroom.
Mr. Bunn described two workspaces in his office: a desk for working and a second lone desk against a windowless wall with a computer not connected to the internet. This second desk is for writing.
Period.
No distractions.
The lesson we learn is beautiful in its simplicity: it isn’t the grandeur of our workspaces, but the effort we put once we’re in them. The scenery (or lack thereof) allowed the creativity to come from inside themselves.
He continued to share that by working in the same spot, he was able to focus quickly. Almost like muscle memory, Davis’s workspace became associated with creativity and flowing words. That was the key point for me.
I’m not able to mimic a two-desk concept, but I love the message behind it. Our writing is serious business that deserves a serious workspace.
If you’re like me, you’ve had your share of working in crazy places. Have laptop, will travel. I’ve written standing at kitchen counters while water boils on the stove or a casserole bubbles in the oven. Posts get written while I’m snuggled next to my sweetie on the couch. Often times I have children seated around the dining room table finishing school work while I type away at the keys.
And this morning, I am sitting at my desk in my office while my boys are in various positions: one is taking a math test on the guest bed, another is hunched over the coffee table, and the littlest one is laying on the floor practicing his handwriting.
While the once-perfectly organized room is no longer picture-perfect, I feel blessed to again have an entire room as my office. And until I finish unpacking, I’m staring at the window instead of the distraction of clutter and boxes.
The office doubles as the guest room but as the only woman in a house of boys, I’ve been able to decorate it exactly the way I wanted, in all it’s black-and-white damask with teal accent splendor. Yes, there is a chandelier decal with crystal gemstones on the wall.
When I sit at my desk, I’m so productive. I don’t do anything else in this room but work and create. It’s getting to the point that when I sit down, I feel like I can accomplish anything. But it wasn’t always like this.
When my husband left vocational ministry, our whole world shifted upside-down. We moved out of the church-owned parsonage where we’d lived for almost a decade and moved into a small apartment on the other side of town. One of our former youth students moved in with us while she went to college, so my “office” became a table on a small 4×6 foot teal IKEA rug in our bedroom.
It was cramped, yes, but that workspace taught me to create under whatever conditions were thrown at me. My Serious Writer Academy was birthed in that tiny area and several writing and livestreaming projects were added to my resume. I finished my last year of college and finally graduated with Bachelors of Arts.
That little teal 4×6 foot rug is a reminder to me of humble beginnings and trusting God for every freelance opportunity He could throw my way.
The year we moved to that apartment was the same year I heard Davis Bunn talk about writing bestsellers on a small desk facing a windowless wall disconnected from internet. It was the year I learned to focus and jump two feet in to the new path that God had laid out for me. It was the year I decided to treat my writing like a business and branch out of my comfort zone.
All on a 4×6 foot piece of rug.
Bonus:
I posted before and after pics of my office on my website, plus some resources for organizing your home office space. Click here to check it out!
[reminder]Where do you get your writing done?[/reminder]
Bethany Jett is an award-winning author of The Cinderella Rule, speaker, ghostwriter, and founder of JETTsetter Ink, a consulting and editing company. She has written for numerous publications, created the My Moments Planner, Serious Writer Companion, and is the founder of Serious Writer Academy and the Build Your Brand Program.
Bethany is a military wife and all-boys-mama who is addicted to suspense novels and all things girly. She writes on living a brilliant life at BethanyJett.com. Connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.
The Conversation
[…] I guest posted for the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference on why your workspace matters. Be sure to check it out. As a fun bonus, I thought I’d show you behind the scenes of my […]
I am blessed to have places in my house, sun room, back deck and a backyard garden, where I do most of my writing. While most of my time is behind my desktop, I have a laptop setup so I can work outside- if I can’t be outside in warmer months its all pointless. Also, it seems God inspires me in His Natural World.
That sounds lovely!!!
Lately I’ve been writing while sitting on my bed. Not the best ergonomic posture, I’m sure. But it’s a comfy place, a quiet place. My little dog naps beside me. My big dog and my sister’s big dog nap nearby. That just adds to the relaxing ambiance. But I’ve also written at the kitchen counter, the kitchen table (love the windows there), and on the long glassed-in porch.
Great post, Bethany. I can just imagine you and the boys in your guest room. (Which kinda is mine! LOL)
Oh – it’s pretty crowded. If you hop over to my site, I’ve got pics of the aftermath!
Maybe I should add, in the spirit of full disclosure, that this morning it was so relaxing, I took a nap, too. So now I’m at the kitchen counter where I’ll write a chapter or two as soon as I quit roaming around the internet.
🙂 I have all three back in the office right now —- ay yi yi. Serenity now.
I once had my own room to write. Then my son and his family moved in while he and his wife finished college. Now that room houses my three adorable granddaughters. I write on the kitchen table, the kitchen counter, the couch and in the master bedroom. I have a portable desk that can be used as I prop myself in bed. My hubby tries to share half his office with me. But he tends to spread out paperwork everywhere including my workspace. next year my son’s family will be in their own home and then I’ll be able to plan a workspace. But lack of space doesn’t stop me from writing. Like you I get it done in the midst of life. Thanks for sharing, Bethany.
I love that you said you get things done in the midst of life — isn’t it the truth?! It’s funny to look back and wonder how we ever got things done, but we did…and we do! I have a portable desk with the legs that fold into themselves — LOVE it. Best birthday present ever!
Thank you for sharing the places you write! I wrote the first 8 chapters of my first book speaking into a mini-tape recorder on my commute back and forth to work. When I retired I wrote several more chapters sitting in car rider lines waiting for my grandchildren to get out of school. When I sat at a desk, I would draw a blank. It seemed that my best character and plot development could only take place inside my car. Now I have a separate room in the house for my office and write on my PC, but social media tempts me too often. When it does, I take pad and pen and where do I go? Yep, right back to the car. My neighbors know I’m getting some serious writing done when they see me in my driveway behind the steering wheel!
I LOVE that, Glenda! My husband has always tried to get me to do dictation and I refused for a long time, but sometimes it’s so much faster to record myself saying things than to actually get in front of a laptop. Happy (and safe!) driving!
Bethany, I enjoyed this post. Our workspace is very important and this blog gives great insight. Thank you
Thanks, Susan! I always appreciate your thoughts! Hope you’re well!