Springtime

A while ago, when I promoting my first book, I participated in a number of blog tours, where I was a guest on someone else’s blog and was exposed to their readers. Sometimes I wrote about a topic of my choosing, and sometimes I was interviewed. One of the questions that I was asked in several different interviews was about my writing space.

I don’t have a particular writing space. Sure, we have a home office. But even though I’m the one who’s home the most and therefore, would use it the most, it’s my husband’s. It’s the one room of the house that he’s designated as his. It’s decorated his way, which means a combination of Phillies items and Star Wars (with some antique maps thrown in to make it look like a grown-up’s space). It gets cleaned up when he wants it to be and it’s organized his way. I have my space carved out of it where I’m able to leave my things and I can use the desk anytime I want, but it’s not my office.

I tend to write in the dining room or family room. Even though they’re in the center of the house and where all the activity takes place, I find I’m most often there. If I think of something, I can easily stop what I’m doing, write it down, and continue with whatever else is occupying me. During the day, when no one is home, I can spread out and move from room to room as I please. I could sit in the office, but I prefer the light and comfort of the other rooms.

But today, my writing space is outside. This is new for me. Despite my having a laptop, I tend to stick to places that I’m used to and frankly, I’m not much of an outdoor kind of person. I’m cold most of the time and like the warmth of my house. Conversely, when it’s warm out, I like my air-conditioned house (if you think this is complicated, you should pity my husband—he’s the one who has to live with me!). I don’t like to sweat and I hate the glare on my monitor (I just lost my mouse, proving my point).

But today is the first day that it’s more than 80 degrees and it’s only April. It’s sunny and warm and the birds are louder than my kids, which is quite a feat, believe me. Since they’re not yelling “Mom!” or yelling at each other (from what I can tell, anyway) and they don’t roll their eyes at me when I move around or talk to myself, they’re a lot less disruptive and I can block out the noise if I want. I’m wearing new spring clothes and like the season, I feel rejuvenated. I want to be outside taking advantage of this weather. So for today, or at least this moment, my writing space is my deck.

And while I’m on the subject of rejuvenation, I tend to make lists of things I want to do, similar to resolutions, when the seasons change. I’m not a big fan of doing it in January—too many people do it and no one expects you to keep them, so it seems like a waste of time to me. I do it every Jewish New Year, because, well, I’m told to do it and there’s still that little bit of fear in me that is afraid of not doing it. And those resolutions tend to be big, life-altering ones But the seasonal ones are fun, easy, no-pressure kind of plans. Like walking the dog more or trying to cook more exciting meals (when I figure out how to do that without causing kid tantrums, I’ll let you know).

Or, you know, taking advantage of the nice weather and writing outside! Made it through today…let’s see how long this lasts! Happy springtime everyone!