Fiction Scribe

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

What is your desk space like?

If it’s anything like mine used to be, then it could be your desk causing your struggle to write and not your wandering muse.

A few weeks ago, I found myself become increasingly stressed and almost unable to get my work done at my desk. To my right I had a stack of drawers with paperwork on top and my schedule books around it. To my right I had a coaster for my drinks of choice and an ever-growing stack of books to be read.

Along with that I had knick-knacks, pictures, post-it notes, other books, pens and pencils, candles, mail and other various things. My clutter even stretched over to a small dresser on my right and the table with the printer on it.

My desk was, to say the least, a bit cluttered.

However, it took me a while to realize that the clutter – something I had grown used to working in – was causing some of my so-called writer’s block.

I now have rules for my desk like how many knick-knacks on the overhead part, one pen and pencil holder allowed, and no more than five books at any time on the desk – and I have to be reading and/or reviewing the books that do get left on my desk.

All of the rules I’ve set have made me a more relaxed and productive writer.

Respect your space. Make sure you have all you need but also have room to breathe. Make it your space for writing/working and that only.

Keeping your space uncluttered and designated for a specific purpose could help you even more than you might realize.