Your perfect writers’ den?

It’s a real pleasure to be writing the first blog post for Chapelstone Outdoors. Being someone always keen to make life a little easier it seems apt that I should focus on one of the many uses of a garden room that is particularly close to my heart. That is, a garden room as a writers’ den. As any of my fellow scribes will know, having a quiet, warm and peaceful space to create in is more than just desirable. Of course we’ve all had to write in noisy, uncomfortable places and any writer will tell you that when the words start to flow, it doesn’t matter where you are. You get in the zone and magic happens.  JK Rowling apparently wrote Harry Potter in a café, so we know it can be done. But I know that for me, the thought of that private space fills my heart with desire. I think it’s the idea of having a room dedicated to such an important aspect of my life that appeals. For that space to be mine, without distractions and with whatever I want around me. No people wandering through on their way to somewhere. No noise. No interruptions. Mostly, I prefer quiet when I’m writing although occasionally I’ll listen to some low volume, relaxing music. The type of background noise you hear at a spa; unobtrusive and yet somehow it can prompt ideas to float to the surface and find the light of day. I also mute my phone when I’m working. I initiate the ‘Do not disturb’ feature but use the override function for my son and my other half’s contact numbers so they can reach me. Everyone else can wait. The other things I’d love to include as part of my perfect writing environment? A comfortable desk and chair has to be top of the list. I’ve never had what I would call the perfect set up and keep telling myself that one day, I’ll have the ideal situation. I’d also like to have a really top notch PC. In fact, I wish I was a designer sometimes as that would warrant purchasing an Apple Mac, but I think when you are mostly concerned with words on a page, a really high quality PC will work just as well and cost half as much. Other than that there are things that some might call ‘fripperies’ but I would love them just the same. I’m thinking a sofa or maybe a chaise longue, for when I come over all Barbera Cartland and need to give the ideas in my head time to incubate, before they hatch into ugly ducklings for me to edit numerous times and then create beautiful swans. And of course, when I’m tired of writing I can do my second favourite thing and read someone else’s book. If I had a garden room, I’d want to help bring the outside in. I’ll open the door on a sunny day I can make the most of the warmth and the scents in the garden. In the winter, I’d have plants and flowers – hyacinths are particular favourites as they do really scent a room and I like the uniformity of them. I love being cosy. I’d have a luxurious throw for when I’m lounging (or snoozing. I’m a creative, it’s my right.)  I also love candles but to be on the safe side (what with the random snoozing etc) I’d get some of those ‘fake’ candles that are battery operated and still give a warm glow without risking burning the place down.   Finally, I’m a bit of a stationery nerd. (These aren’t just paperclips. They’re rose gold paperclips.) That sort of thing. I’m sorry, I can’t help it. I have notebooks in every colour; hardback, soft cover, A4, A5, ruled, blank. You get the picture. It would all be neatly stacked up on that sleek, perfect desk of mine nicely in reach. All I need do is swivel on my cream leather chair and I can select whatever I want. So that’s what I’d love in my writers’ den. What about you?