Ahh the writing space: that magical place where all your words fall onto the page. It might seem like a place that only exists in your dreams, but it’s real, I promise you.
The purr-fect writing space is different for everyone: Some writers like loud, busy cafes, while others prefer quiet rooms where they can shut the world out. I, myself, have been known to write in the kitchen, on the living room couch, and in bed from time to time, but I always prefer having a space of my own where I can block out distractions and get some serious writing done.
Here’s what I think makes the purr-fect writing space:
A comfy chair.
I spend about 1-2 hours a day writing. That’s a lot of sitting! I wanted to do my back (and my butt) a favour by investing in a comfy chair. It’s not a top-of-the-line ergonomic spinning chair with wheels and a jetpack, but it has a cushion!
A blanket.
What comfy chair wouldn’t be complete without a fuzzy blanket to keep you warm?
Noise-cancelling headphones.
I invested in a pair of these babies when my upstairs neighbor bought a treadmill. There’s nothing like the incessant thump, thump, thump, thump during an early morning writing session to make you want to kill off yet another character.
Books about the writing craft.
I love having books nearby when I’m writing. Not only can I reference them for writing tips and advice, but I can use them for inspiration too! Some of my favourites include: The Secrets of Story by Matt Bird, The Magic Words by Cheryl Klein, and, The Writer’s Journey, by Christopher Vogler.
A timer.
Sometimes the words just aren’t coming out. That’s when I pull out my old school hourglass timers. They’re whisper quiet and perfect for tricking myself into focusing for 15-30 minutes at a time. I just flip them over and force myself to write as fast as I can without editing until the sand runs out. Then I get to take a break!
Something to write on.
This one kind of goes without saying. Writers are famous for writing our ideas pretty much anywhere. I don’t know if I’m crazy or not, but there’s just something about physically writing an idea down that makes it that much more exciting.
I’m personally guilty of sticking post-it notes and inspiration to any bare spot on my wall, which pretty much makes me look like a maniac! But it works for me and my process. So hey, why not?
Chocolate!
Chocolate is a MUST for me. I keep a jar of it nearby when I’m writing, and munch on it when I want some much-needed food therapy after being particularly mean to my characters and feeling bad about it.
A mug of something warm.
What kind of writer would I be without a love for warm beverages? I’m a coffee addict through and through, and I never start a morning writing session without a hot cup of it. In the evenings I’ve been known to swap the coffee for a glass (or two) of red wine, but if anyone asks, you didn’t hear that from me. 😉
A furry co-writer.
Of course, no writing space would be complete without my cat curled up in my lap, clawing at my legs, or walking all over my desk. He’s even been known to try and contribute by walking on my keyboard! What a goof.
These nine things have made my writing life so much comfier and productive (minus the cat, but he provides snuggles, so all is forgiven). I hope this list inspires you to create the writing space of your dreams!
Samantha Blann is an aspiring YA author. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose in a book, drinking coffee and eating way too much chocolate. She recently started a blog for writers of YA fiction and hangs out with other writers on Twitter.
The Cat's Write 
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