5 Elements of my Writer’s Sanctuary

As part of the Group Writing Project on ProBlogger, I thought I’d use the chance the give a little insight into the writing goals I made at the start of the year.

Whilst I’ve kind of been talking about developing a writing routine and trying to get a short story published in my last couple of writing related posts, I thought I’d expand on the ‘writer’s sanctuary’ that I’m trying to develop my room into.

So, I present 5 Elements of my Writer’s Sanctuary (not including my glorious laptop.)

1. Reference books – At arms reach from my laptop, I’ve placed a collection of books that may be needed on hand when in the midst of working. These include a Dictionary, Stephen King’s On Writing, On Writing Horror from The Horror Writers Association, Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style, The Australian Writer’s Marketplace 2007/08, a couple of short story collections and magazines and the great PC game, Rise of Nations (a concession made to the procrastinator in me).
2. The ‘Festering Drawer’ – In On Writing (and most writer’s books and forums) King talks about leaving the manuscript in a drawer to sit (‘fester’ seems more appropriate for horror writers) and allow your mind to become detached from the story. I’ve taken this literally and devoted a drawer to drafts and manuscripts in the midst of editing. I currently have four manuscripts sitting there and festering.
3. Fucking awesome speakers – I’ve now grown accustomed to listening to music whilst I [try to] write. Whilst I’m aware that a particularly awesome section of a song can occupy my attention, my music collection is mostly stuff I’ve been listening to for a while and so it works much like background music when I really get into it.
4. Brother laser printer – Just after I bought my laptop, I may have mentioned it here, I bought a Brother laser printer at a cheap price thanks to a sale at one of the local electronics stores. It’s smooth, compact for a laser printer, and prints quickly. I don’t need issues with printing when I’m trying to write, edit or send out stories. This makes it less likely.
5. The Door – These kind of come standard with most rooms before they’re turned into writer’s sanctuaries but they’re a fairly indispensable resource in a hectic household and me as a addictive procrastinator. With books on hand, a drawer full of festering manuscripts, music blaring and a smooth way to print it all off when it’s done, the key to my writer’s sanctuary is the ability to close the door, pull out the Internet cable and just write.

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