Variety News: April 19, 2022
Photo of the Week
The new BSB “command center”.
General Discussion
My little red writing booth has moved on to a new home where it will be well-loved, and in its place, I now have the “Brazen Snake Books Command Center” (pictured above, more pictures below – video tour on social media).
And I love it.
Two weeks ago, I ordered the new L-Shaped computer desk, and posted my old Red Robin booth online to see if anyone I know wanted it before I tried to sell it. As it so happens, friends of ours who had admired the booth since I got it waved their electronic hands in the air, and we set up a time for the exchange.
That morning, they messaged me and said they had a small roll top desk that was collecting dust, and wondered if I might like to trade that for the booth. After a few quick measurements, I said a very enthusiastic “yes!”, and we made the trade later that afternoon. Which was fortuitous in more ways than one, since my computer desk wasn’t delivered until Sunday and the roll top came in handy for manicure night.
The “first draft” desk.
I adore roll top desks, so even though my laptop is too tall to fit on it when it’s open, I’m going to use it for my “first draft” desk. I generally use my Freewrite Traveler to write my first drafts on, which is much smaller than a laptop and fits just perfectly on the roll top. That lovely old desk is perfect for analog and e-ink endeavors (or the odd bit of actual pen and paper notation) where I want to work distraction-free, complete with a vintage lamp hubby saved from the garbage one day at work.
Then the next day, my computer desk was delivered (assembly required), so I went out and bought a new chair (also assembly required), and spent the rest of the day putting said desk and chair together. The two desks didn’t fit quite the way I thought they would, but there’s enough room for my chair in the middle, which is all the room I need. And the new computer desk is perfect for how I envisioned the setup, with my laptop able to “perch” on the monitor shelf beside my second monitor, and a separate keyboard and trackball underneath. I may have to get a more ergonomic keyboard eventually, but for now, this new typewriter-style mechanical keyboard is making me very happy.
The “do-everything” spot.
Obviously, I use my computer for everything that’s not first-drafting, so the second monitor comes in handy, and it’s nice not to have to put it away after my Friday late-night business hours (it took up too much space on the old desk/table).
And then I have the long part of the computer desk, which is space that I’m going to mostly keep open for shooting social media photos/videos during the week, book cataloging, updating my paper calendar or whatever else requires a decent amount of flat surface. As you can see, I added a ring light and tripod to that part of the desk where I can mount my phone to capture photos/videos as needed.
The media area (behind the chair).
The world is changing, and I’m doing my best to…well, not keep up (yet), but at least maintain a certain amount of flexibility in how I get my stories out there.
The new setup definitely lends itself to an easy workflow, and in the evening when I sit down for writing time, I start at the computer with revisions, then turn around and do my planning for the next day at the roll top (using my reMarkable), and then I move to the reading chair to read before bed. It’s smooth and compartmentalized and easy, and I’ve been more productive in the last week than I have in the last few months. Some of that is undoubtedly due to the novelty of a new space, but I think the organization and flow is a big part of it too.
My next goal is to start my writing time half an hour earlier, so I can add some first-drafting into my routine every night. Drafting is my favorite part of writing, and it’s always more fun for me to work on new stuff than it is to work on a story that’s already done. So that will be a nice treat at the roll top or in my reading chair between my never-ending revisions and daily planning.
I think sometimes we underestimate the importance of having a workspace that is set up just for us, in the way our mind can best process and organize things. I know I do.
I think this time I’ve gotten it right. At least for where I’m at and what I need at this point in my life.
It feels good.
Currently Reading
Breath in Every Room by Tami Haaland (poetry of the “everyday subject” sort)
Video Highlight
Christy Anne Jones – Reading vlog
Song of the Week
NOTHING ELSE MATTERS by STEVE´N´SEAGULLS (LIVE)
Pop Quiz!
Where is your favorite place to read?
I used to read in bed, but my timing doesn’t correspond with hubby’s all that often, and I often get neck and back kinks when I read in bed. So I prefer my reading chair now, which is seriously comfy and fits me perfectly.
Post Round-up
The Writer’s Desk (last updated: April 16, 2022)
Support your author:
This House of Books (my local bookstore!) | Bookshop.org
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | iBooks | Audible