Starter Kit for Writers

I often watch my dog dig in the blankets and pillows, pawing and circling many times before bedding down in just the right spot.

Not all writers choose their own areas with such care. Maybe they don’t have the time, ability, or inclination to be so picky. However, you should endeavor to “mark” or organize your space to suit your current needs and goals.

Whether your writing area resembles an empty warehouse or a garage sale tabletop, it should offer you some measure of comfort, privacy, and motivation. Try this starter kit:

1.      A decent chair that is comfortable enough to sit, but not nap in.

2.      A desk or table appropriate to your height.

3.      At least one bookshelf.

4.      Fill it with material you are passionate about such as poetry, fiction, or essays. 

5.      At least one dictionary and thesaurus. Other reference and usage guides are a plus.

6.      Bulletin board and/or a dry-erase board.

7.      Notebook paper – not everyone likes to write by hand, but research has proven it forces you to think more about and commit to what you are writing than just typing it does.

8.      A good luck object or treasured item placed in your line of vision.

9.      Excellent light.

10.  Something living or moving – pets, plants, or fountains can keep the loneliness factor at bay in this solitary endeavor.

What items have helped you create a Zen Writing habitat?