“Don’t die with the music still in you.” 

― Wayne W. Dyer

Writing is absolutely one of my favorite things to do. It’s also one of my favorite forms of therapy that truly brings me to my happy place. Whether it’s writing about my wins in my journal, blogging, or working on a novel, I try to  find time to write every day. I know it’s not an easy feat,  because let’s face it, life can get busy and squeezing in the time can be challenging. This is why you have to MAKE the time,  especially if you’re a writer who is  just waiting for inspiration to hit you like a bolt of lightning.  

The challenges I hear from many writers are:

I have no time

I have no privacy

I have no place to focus

I need to be inspired

I’m not in the mood

Excuses, excuses, excuses. Yup, I said it and yes, I’ve probably said all of those above excuses as well before. I know if you really aspire to be a writer, you will and you MUST have a routine of some sort. It can be something as simple as 15 mins a day, but start somewhere. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. 

 I’m going to break it all down for you in my “Make Your Writing Sacred Series.” I will cover: 

1. 7 Ways to Design Your Sacred Writing Space
2. Create your Writing Routine with Atomic Habits
3. Create Your Writer’s Tribe -Find Your Community
4. Hone Your Craft-Tips on How to continuously learn 
5. Share Your Brilliance with the World-Tips on Getting Published

If you are not already a member of the Own Your Power community, please join my mailing list here so that you can receive reminders for the next article in this series. Go here! and join the mailing list.

7 Ways to Create Your Sacred Writing Space

Creating a dedicated writing space can greatly enhance your productivity and focus. Finding a space to get into the writing groove with little distractions can be a challenge for many. Even if you don’t live with others, you can still find things to grab your attention. Your phone ringing, social media, the neighbor mowing the lawn, your pet sitting on your keyboard or playing with your pen. (The story of my life lol)  

 I find it’s nice to have at least a few places you can retreat to and in some instances, run and hide to write. I work from home the majority of the time, so even though my home office is one of my favorite places to be, sometimes I do like to switch it up. 

My favorite places to write are: 

1. The local Library for ultimate peace and quiet. I usually get a private room which is one of the best ways for me to focus. See if your local library has a study room so you can make it your private office for the day. 
2. A coffee shop for people watching, inspiration while I sip on hot cocoa.
3. My patio to catch some sun and fresh air. 
4. A park bench near a lake or lots of trees to take in nature
5. The Getaway house: I absolutely love these tiny cabins. They don’t have the greatest reception which is awesome to take away the distractions. See if they have one near you. Check out my first time going here.

Here are seven ways to create an inspiring and comfortable writing space:

1. Choose a quiet location: Find a quiet area in your home or workspace where you can concentrate without distractions. It could be a spare room, a corner in your bedroom,  a cozy local café, hotel lobby, and I’ve even heard of a folks writing in their walk-in closet. 

Fun Fact: Would you believe that Stephen King wrote in his laundry room when he was first starting out as a writer? At that time, King was struggling financially and living in a small trailer with his wife, Tabitha. King needed a quiet place to focus on his writing without distractions and the laundry room in their trailer was relatively isolated and worked perfectly. It gave King the solitude he needed to concentrate on his work. 

Although it may seem unconventional, the laundry room served as a makeshift office for King during those early years. King’s dedication and perseverance paid off, and he went on to become one of the most successful and acclaimed authors of his generation.

2. Arrange a comfortable desk or table: Select a sturdy desk or table that suits your height and writing preferences. Make it offers enough space for your writing materials, such as a laptop or notebook, as well as any additional items you like to have nearby while writing. It think that’s why I love libraries so much, since they usually have huge tables and I can spread out my notes.  The less clutter on your desk the better. 

3. Ergonomic chair: Invest in a supportive and comfortable chair that promotes good posture and reduces the risk of strain or discomfort during long writing sessions.Who wants to get up from a long session with a cramp? The proper ergonomics can help you stay focused and look forward to writing. 

4. Adequate lighting: Have a  well-lit area to prevent eye strain and to create a pleasant atmosphere. Natural light is ideal, so position your desk near a window if possible. If natural light is limited, use warm-toned, adjustable lamps or candles to create a soothing atmosphere.

5. Give it the Personal Touch: Make your writing space your own by adding things that spark creativity and display your personality. Hang inspiring artwork or motivational quotes on the wall, place a few plants or flowers nearby, add in some sentimental objects that bring you joy. I love to have a salt lamp, crystals, candles, and juicy cushions around me.  

Colors: Choose colors that promote a sense of calmness and focus. Earth tones, such as blues, greens, and neutrals, can help create a serene environment. Avoid overly bright or stimulating colors.

Sound: Experiment with different types of music or soundscapes to find what works best for your concentration. You can minimize noise interruptions by closing windows, using noise-canceling headphones, or playing soft instrumental music or nature sounds. Some writers even create a playlist for a specific book. I rather listen to music without words that provide focus. Tip: Go to youtube.com and type in focus music for writers or music for writing. 

Here are a few of my favorite playlists: 

Quiet music for reading, writing and studying

Super Focus

Genius Brain Frequency 

Thriller music for reading or writing 

Scent:  I have to break out my Consider using aromatic elements like scented candles, incense, or essential oils to enhance your writing experience. Lavender, rosemary, or sandalwood are known for their calming effects. 

6. Have Your Writing Tool Box Handy: Keep your writing supplies and materials organized and easily accessible. Use desk organizers, drawers, or shelves to store pens, notebooks, reference books, and any other writing essentials you frequently use. A clutter-free workspace can help you stay focused and minimize distractions. Have a favorite pen? Make sure you always have back up. Many writers like to type, but I’m old school and still like to do it freehand first and then I transcribe and type it later. 

7. Minimize digital distractions:  We know sometimes social media can be a HUGE distraction. If you often find yourself getting pulled in by social media or other online platforms while writing, consider using apps or browser extensions that block access to specific websites or limit your time spent on them. Create boundaries and establish specific writing time blocks during which you avoid digital distractions. If possible, just put your phone in another room for your writing time. 

I asked some of the writer’s in Own Your Power’s Writer’s Lab what were some of their favorite places to write and here’s what they shared: 

Laron H.: I love watching something with nature like the forest, water, or  beaches while writing. I listen to meditating music or something relaxing.

Rolanda V: I love to sit on my favorite couch in the living room looking over the lake. I need natural light, a space that’s not cluttered and my classical music. 

Sheila H.: Sometimes it’s in a favorite space in my home. Natural light, windows open with only the sounds of the birds and the wind. Other times it’s sitting by the lake when no one else is there. I have to have the right journal-lays flat with top quality paper, my favorite pen and a good cup of tea.

Sheryl S.: I turn everything off. There are so many distractions phone, tv & social media. I eliminate all of it. It needs to be quiet. Earl Grey tea helps too

Cheryl K.: My favorite place is curled up in my bed wearing my favorite comfortable PJs. My favorite time to write is at 5am, because my surroundings are tranquil. There is no noise outside. It’s true peace. I write from 5 am – 6:30 am. Once my head is empty, I go back to sleep.

Lora M.: For me, music and my laptop are the most important elements. The type of music changes based on the project. For instance, I wrote a fanfic that included dogs and was set in the Village (NYC). The playlist for that work includes love songs, songs about dogs, and songs about New York.

Remember, the key to designing a sacred writing space is to create an environment that nurtures and sparks your creativity, but also provides  tranquility. 

Your writing time is sacred.  Experiment with different elements until you find what works best for you. Once you design the space that you love, it will  allow you to honor your craft.  You’ll be so excited to go there every day!

What is your ‘sacred space’ for writing? Do you write only in one place, or do you mix up your environments? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.

 Happy Writing and Own Your Power. 

Coach Simone Kelly

  Stay tuned for part 2 in this series: 7 Tips to Complete Your Novel with Atomic Habits. 

P.S. If you haven’t already read any of my books. Check them out here!