To preface all of my advice here: I’m merely giving suggestions. The writing atmosphere is not essential to content creation. However, in my experience, having a trusty, unchanged work environment when tackling my writing is extremely helpful. You may be able to work while we’re getting bombed: that’s a notable skill, and a true writer can write anywhere.
That being said, before you get comfortable with writing, you have to be queasy with it. You have to earn the right to a fancy desk, an office chair, an expensive computer, and whatever else you may need or want. You won’t learn to appreciate the comfort of a controlled work environment until you’ve experienced a chaotic one firsthand.
So maybe you’ve had enough of the chaos. Now you want an organized, comfortable, quiet writing space. Start targeting your greatest problems when it comes to things that annoy you during writing: you hate skipping meals? Bring your food to your desk. You hate noise? Close the door, lock it, and soundproof the room. You hate constantly being bugged about this or that? Try hanging a sign on the door that says “WRITER AT WORK: DISTURB AT YOUR OWN RISK”.
For me, vibrations to my desk and computer really bug me. As long as my monitor and desk are still, my focus can go far. However, noise is a close second for me: screaming children is annoying, but songs with lyrics really get my goat. I don’t often mind wordless songs, however, or the low buzz of conversation.
Sounds that I actually do like are dull, windy buzzes, like the sound of a fan. I have this big ‘ole attic fan: when you turn it on, it sucks air from the outside of the house and blows it inside. It makes a dull whirring noise, but I find it delightful. It drowns out all straggling noises.
These beefs are probably a thing for most writers, but if you’re annoyed by something else, eliminate it. You write better when you’re happy, or on a full stomach. Try walks in the sunshine to get yourself psyched, watch YouTube videos of popular authors talking about writing, have a big bowl of tomato soup. It’s different for everybody, but try to find the thing that gets you excited to write.
Concerning desk space: anything will do, as long as it’s welcoming and familiar. Right now, I have a stack of D&D adventures with my books on top in the right corner of my desk, and a home phone sitting awkwardly in the left corner. I don’t mind: it looks very characteristic of me. It sits like an old backdrop, reminding me my hobbies and interests.
But if you’re the kind of person who likes clean, meticulous desk space, clear everything off. I like a flare for the dramatic (and I also like fantasy wallpapers, or can’t you tell?), and I work every day on a MTG playmat designed for card playing, and it offers a welcoming sight when I look down at my keyboard (even if it is Vorinclex, a ruthless and evil Phyrexian praetor)
Regarding chairs, pick a roomy, comfortable one. I like bouncing my ankles when I write (a sign of inspiration for me) and leaning slightly in my chair. I do that when I’m excited, and being excited to write is never wrong. It’s all about creating an atmosphere: you’re eliminating distractions that keep you from bridging the real world to the fictional one. (sounds really cool, right?)
Remember, the most important thing is that you’re surrounding yourself with things that inspire happy feelings in yourself. That sounds really sappy compared to the kind of story last night, but I almost cried while I was writing by book late last night (and no art has made me cry, except for Avengers: Endgame and A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash), and splurging a little to have a pity party is a small price to pay for content. (I got legit over 5000 words written last night and I just changed my chair. Coincidence?)
Good luck, and happy writing!
Be sure to check out my latest novel, Book 1 in the Praetors of Lost Magic Series, and our Publications page. Plus, I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to check out the Resources tab. It’s full of super helpful material and I promise it will help you out. Until then, writers!
The Writer's Rack 