A few authors, I'm not sure of the numbers, make enough on their writing to work only at their career of choice. But most writers are like me. We work another job to help pay the mortgage and put food on the table. For school teachers like me, summer is over and I'm back at work.
While preparing for the start of classes a few weeks ago, I thought about the two different desks I maintain for my two jobs. My school desk is of the old metal variety, probably nearly as old as I am. The floor of my office is painted cement and is in the center of the girls' lockerroom so I have no windows to the outside world. It's a very cold setting, especially when there are no students around. The chattering teenagers do wam the place up a little.
My writing desk at home is in the front room where I get the morning sun. The window overlooks the front porch and the surrounding flower beds. The floor is carpeted, the walls lined with bookshelves and I even have a fireplace. I have two cheap desks I put together to form an 'L' so I can spread out all my 'stuff.' The desktop computer is on one desk and I set my laptop on either. Everything is right at hand. I love that work space.
At school, I have one wall covered in the senior photos my students have given me over 25 years of teaching. I have two different pottery dishes made just for me by students in their pottery class and a few other keepsakes and gifts. I can't count the coffee mugs given to me over the years. If I could retire tomorrow, I wouldn't miss that old metal dinosaur-like desk but I would miss those kids.
If I hit the big time and can spend money on a new, bigger fancier desk where it all matches, I'm not sure I would give up those two mismatched, $99, desks I've spent so many hours at.
Both my school desk and my writing desk have one thing in common. Somewhere on both of them is a folded paper towel where I set my ice coffee. Sometimes hot coffee or tea claim the spot of honor. My favorite drinks help make my work areas comfortable and welcoming.
What makes your workspace a place where things get done? Would you change anything is you could? Is your environment conducive to getting a lot of work done?
