My office may be tiny, but there’s a great view!
A few weeks ago, I attended a workshop about income tax and the self-employed. It was perhaps a bit premature; after all, you need an income to write expenses off against, but I’m nothing if not optimistic. In attendance were a diverse group of islanders with small businesses ranging from jewelry making to gardening.
The “Use of Home” subject came up raising all kinds of questions about how to properly measure and report the space we use for conducting our business. Some artists use their entire home to store, display and create their art. Gardeners and potters use outdoor space. Some have dedicated offices and others use multi-purpose areas, like kitchen counters and spare bedrooms.
The spaces I use to write
It made me think about the space I use to write. We have an office at the back of the house. It has a wrap-around desk, a comfortable chair, a large desk-top computer, a printer, and every other “office” supply ready at hand.
I never use it. I feel isolated there. Stymied.
Instead, I’ve commandeered a corner of the dining room. I use my grandmother’s old sewing machine cabinet as a table and on dark days I turn on an old lamp of hers to light my little nook. I set my bevies on the cabinet by the dictionary, put my feet up on the ottoman and pull my computer into my lap.
Each day’s view is different. Some days it’s so bright I have to roll out of the glare. On other days, the fog creeps right up to the edge of the deck, obliterating everything. On stormy days, the windows are spattered with salt spray and tree debris from the incredible winds. Is it any wonder the beach and the storms find their way onto the pages of my books?
As I write this post, it’s sunny and I’m smiling to myself as two thoughts occur to me. 1. This tiny office with the great view is far too small to warrant the paperwork necessary to “claim” it on my taxes. And 2. How did I ever get so lucky?
It looks amazing. I have an office upstairs, but although I did use it a fair bit, more recently I had moved to the kitchen, where I could see the garden and spread out more (I live alone, so I guess I can really truly write wherever I want).
Thanks, Olga. Being able to see outside while we write seems to be a necessity for both of us. We’re lucky that we can. Thanks for your comment.
You have an amazing, inspiring view, JP. I also have a desk that I never use. Right now, I’m sitting at the kitchen counter, other times I’m out near the pool. The best place to write is the place you feel comfortable 🙂
p.s: I’ve just bought the first book in your trilogy. I only recently woke up to the idea that you could download an Amazon Kindle App. I don’t get to do much reading as a full-time mother, so I’m really looking forward to it.
Thanks, Bianca. I’m very lucky indeed. And I’m just thrilled that you’ve picked up Awakening. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I love your space. I too have forgone the large desk, filing cabinets, shelves of the basement office and I work from my favorite chair with my laptop actually on my lap, not a desk. Not sure I could work so close to the ocean, I know I’d be distracted!
Thank you. What did we ever do before laptops? I just can’t write at a desk – feels way too much like work. Thanks for commenting and have a great weekend.
I don’t actually have a writing ‘space’ as such and I’m now realizing this is a problem. I use the dining room table, my back yard, or mostly my collectible room. It’s filled with books, toys, videos…you name it. The problem is while the atmosphere tends to be creative it can get a little distracting at times. Perhaps after I finish rebuilding our kitchen I’ll dedicate a little energy to creating a space within my space.
One of the nice things about writing is that you can do it anywhere, but you’re right about distractions. Creating a dedicated space cuts out some of that, but hopefully not all; some distractions are worthwhile…like a hot mug of tea delivered with a smile and a plate of cookies.