Lana Hawkins This is the year when we commemorate great anniversaries: 200 years since Charlotte Bronte’s birth and 400 years since William Shakespeare’s death. In light of those events, all over the world there will be seminars, workshops, celebrations, and book clubs which will serve the purpose of commemorating these great writers. For all of us who have that creative spark, here are writing rooms bound to inspire everyone.
A hidden, secret nook
Similarly to romantic secret passageways behind rich people’s bookshelves we see in movies, you can make your own secret writing and reading nook in your own home. For this, you will, of course, need an empty space in form of cupboard under the stairs (think Harry Potter). You can easily order ready-made bookshelf door which can be attached to the entrance of the space you are trying to hide and completely hide it. Inside you can bring plenty of soft blankets and plush cushions so you can stay for as long as you like. Just make sure you have enough natural light or at least a good lamp so that long hours spent over your book, notebook, or laptop do not damage your eyes.
Magic mezzanine
If you have high ceiling in your home, regardless of whether you live in an apartment or a house, you can use the space to make your own comfortable mezzanine writing room. Because you don’t have to close it off completely or hide it, there will be plenty of natural light so you can focus on preparing the space. Bring in a desk and a chair for your notebooks and laptop. Or if you are more into writing from an ‘unconventional’ position, bring in a mattress or an armchair and give it a go. Of course, no writer is ever calm without their books, so make sure all your favourite ones are placed on the shelves or simply arranged on the floor beside you.
Your own library
Is there a better way to get inspired than in the space filled with books? Stephen King said that books are uniquely portable magic, and you will need some magic if you are looking for inspiration to finish your writing. Pretty much every writer and bookworm is fantasizing about having their own library at some point in their lives, but until those dreams become true, you can do what you can to make your own small library. Libraries are so easy to make and so amazing that there is a hostel in Japan which offers you a chance to sleep in small nooks placed among bookshelves – every booklover’s dream!
It doesn’t matter whether you’re an aspiring writer or not, an enthusiast, or simply a devoted reader, everyone deserves a quiet corner for themselves, their books, notes, and thoughts. And you should look for inspiration in different photos of various book and writing nooks from all over the world. Something will catch your eye and inspire you to create your own space.
