A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.
Virginia Woolf
The above quote has become somewhat of a cliche. In fact, I've seen it trounced about in the papers twice in the past two weeks on various different subjects. Just exchange "fiction" to anything from "scrapbooking" to "studying" to "sewing" to whatever, it's an undeniably contextually mouldable idea. In a perfect world.
Women tend to drag it out at times of flux or transition; as if they need to quantify their changeability, if such excuses were necessary (as they often tend to be). However it is a somewhat tired rubric, I think, now.
Still, I find myself at a loss to come up with an original caption to describe the following:
Yes, this is what counts as my own piece of space in our ever-claustrophobic household. Last week, over a two-day period, I turfed clothing, re-located Christmas ornaments and lonely, unused luggage to the garage; I manoeuvred furniture without causing bodily harm to either myself or my children. I did it all with the prayer in my mind, "Please let the table fit. Please let me have this place where I can shut the door."
As you can see, I've set it up with all my blogging/ writing accoutrements. It's not what I'd call an office; it's not much of what I'd call anything, really.
But it's mine and who knows what may be achieved in here. Oh, the dreams I can dream; magic made tangible from the ether of mothballs and the remnants of boot-polish and dry-cleaning chemicals.
Or I could just get high off them.
That could be good too.
*Please, just on a writerly note, I am fully aware of how many compound adjectives I used in this post. Just so you know, and you know I know.
Cross posted at MiscMum
9 comments:
Compound away!!! Every time I make up words on the blog, I just tell myself that English is a dynamic, growing language and so what I'm doing is allowed.
(Not that I'd let my students get away with this. You have to know the rules before you can break them....)
I've done the same thing recently after years of writing while lounging on the bad. (Not a terrible thing, but I have a permanent crick in my neck from it.)
It's your writer's closet and just perfect. I've always sought out smaller spaces when I need to think and concentrate.
The only label it needs is Your Own Space ;)
Glad you've managed to find a spot for YOU and we await to hear/read of the birth of your writings ! :)
My space looks like that for such a short period of time. Then I will try and do some work whilst having the children around and it completely trashed. But on the upside, while they are happy playing (making the mess) I can generally get a quick post done.
frogdancer - Do as I say, not as I do? LOL. I do that too ;)
kathy - ouch. Yes, I've been known to do the same.
suz - thank you.
jayne - thanks - I think you saw the Part 2 of this post on my blog today, perhaps?! ;) :)
planning queen - Oh, yes this indeed is a 'clean' shot. You should see it now. The kids have discovered it :(
Fore sure! A really good point and very well made. (Me, I modify adjectives while muffling the former English pedagogue who shares my head.) I graduated to having a space of my own when the younger daughter flew the nest and took over the smallest empty bedroom. I still remember the joy of having a door that closed. Just for amusement's sake, I now have a big room, with lots of shelves and cupboards but I do not have a door; twelve years after we moved into this house, it is still sitting in the cellar wrapped in plastic.
How about 'a door of one's own'. Snorf.
Love the post and am off to read part two.
THanks MaryG (oh and thanks for coming by too ;))
Congratulations on your own space! It is so important.
(My space always ends up invaded by the bills and toddler art supplies. Then I have to reshuffle and send them back where they belong! (The rest of the house.))
Enjoy this.
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