Closing the Door: Asking for Writing Space

As the days grow warmer (FINALLY) and longer in my part of the world, I find myself searching the house for a new writing space. During the winter I usually make do with my desk, which is in my cold basement. I don’t live alone so I have one space that I can really call my own -my room. I huddle in the semi-dark in my warmest sweats/sweater/slippers combo, space heater blasting, and occasionally a cup of tea if it’s particularly ugly out and I can’t feel my hands anymore.

Depending on the time of day I manage to park myself in front of the computer, usually I can get a few hours of isolated working time in before people get home or I get restless. Lately, I’ve been working with an open door and music playing quietly because I like to be able to hear what my pets are doing if we’re home alone. Their cute faces do not fool me, they’re both part demon.

I’m realizing the more I don’t get done that this open door policy is not working at all. It’s too easy to beeline from my desk chair out the door whenever I feel like I don’t want to look at my screen anymore. To cinch it, when everyone else was home this weekend I shut my door and wore my headphones, which resulted in my most prolific writing period in a number of weeks.

In the face of such evidence, I assembled a door sign and hung it up. It didn’t prevent my mother from strolling into my room (laughing about my sign), but it started a dialogue about what I’m actually trying to accomplish while I’m in my room. I’m hoping people will think twice about interrupting me. As for pets, I have a second door into my room that’s always open so they’ll be fine. They can’t read so they’re off the hook.

BUT, like I said in the beginning of this post, winter is over. At the end of winter I like to start writing in the dining room so I can enjoy the warmth and sunshine. Without the furnace on my room is an ice palace. I’ve come upstairs during the summer dressed in full winter regalia only to be hit by a wave of 30 degree heat. It messes with the body.

My point is, I don’t know how to implement a closed door policy on a room without a door and one that has the main entrance to my house in it! The obvious answer is to only work there when I’m home alone and put my headphones in if I’m not. My biggest obstacle is probably my discipline at this point. I’m happy to report it’s getting much better, at least.

I’m curious how other writers outline their writing spaces. How do you define your space and tell people in your life that you’re working and don’t want to be disturbed? You know, without being rude about it.

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