Writer Mama Riffs on Raising A Writing Career Alongside Your Kids

Besides the article on writing spaces that I mentioned in the latest issue of Writer’s Digest, you might be interested in some visual inspiration to get psyched to organize your writing space.

I found this inspirational book, Organizing Your Craft Space by Jo Packham at Michael’s and used one of their weekly coupons from the Sunday paper to get it for 40% off. Yahoo!

Of course, there are no spaces for writers pictured in the book, but there are lots of bright, colorful rooms to stimulate visual thinking.

Other great places to find inspiration, for me, include Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion Magazine, 100 Decorating Ideas, Bargain Style, and Creative Home all from Better Homes and Gardens, and good ol’ Martha’s good things for organizing from the editors of Martha Stewart Living.

I’m still purging paper from my office—about two giant recycle cans full so far!

I can’t tell you how good it feels to get rid of all the old stuff that I’m done with. Feels like I’m getting ready for new projects. I can’t wait!

Did you see the latest issue of Writer’s Digest? They have writer’s sharing their writing spaces. I have always wanted to make this a feature in my zines but in the past had little luck persuading writers to participate.

Is this because our writing spaces are often pushed to the bottom of the priority list amidst deadlines, continuing education, and all the demands of being a writer? For writer mamas, I suspect that creating an inspiring space goes down even lower on the priority list because we have so many home responsibilities.

But I feel that it’s important to have inspiration handy, even if your “writing space” is as simple as a basket full of magazines, notebooks and pens. I know it makes a big difference for me.

That’s why I’ve decided to make August, spruce up your writing space month. I’ll be posting photos of my redecorated office in August and I’d love it if you’d share yours!

Sure, you’ll be tempted to totally ignore your own needs as the back-to-school rush approaches, but think of it this way, if you have kids around maybe they can pitch in and help you create the writing space of your dreams before they go back to school!

Okay, toddlers will probably not understand this concept, but teens and tweens certainly will! And mamas, you deserve an inspirational writing space! So, while you are combing through a proliferation of back-to-school items, have a list for your space too! This is the perfect time of year to find fun and colorful writing-related accessories. Why should kids get to have all the fun?

Happy hunting! And be sure to share your great finds here. I’ll be asking everyone to shoot and post their freshly reinvigorated spaces. Happy sprucing!

Please tag your posted photos: “August 2007 Writer Mama Challenge” so I can find them.

That’s right. I said, “Magenta.”

Or you can call it by it’s chosen name: “Can Can.”

I love it! Very energizing.

This former bedroom, which is now my office, was painted the color of the night sky.

Great for a bedroom. (ZZZ.) Not so great for this writer mama.

But now this…this does it for me!

Check it out:

What color energizes your writing?