Sunday, 24 June 2018

The changing writing workspace


Finding a place to write - a constantly changing problem which I wrote about in http://janeayres.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/a-place-to-write.html

In 2012 I was favouring laptop on lap on sofa - not good for my back. 


November 2012
Although there is a desk in the living room where the TV is, at times I needed to get away to a different room to be quiet and concentrate, so I rolled the chair into the junk room and stuck my lappie on a small fold up table. That worked to some extent at the time.

July 2014

But sitting down for any length of time is bad for the back and every other body part, so in 2015 I began to experiment with a standing desk.  Having researched ebay and seen how much they cost I improvised my own with a plastic stool on the desk and this became my favoured way of working.  Last year, however, after major surgery, I needed to sit again so the stool went and I sat at the desk once more but making sure (trying, anyway) to take plenty of breaks. 
June 2015

But I am restless again, seeking a new method - one that involves plenty of breaks, but in a clutter free space and a separate room. My very old laptop had to be pensioned off and I have a new, smaller and lighter lappie, easier to carry around, and one which can run off the battery (my old one only worked when plugged into the mains).

Editing in cafes works for now - printing off 300 words of a short story draft then writing in longhand to expand and revise.  Then back to laptop to update.  Then more edits. I enjoy editing.  I just have to find a working method for actually getting new words on the screen.  Without compromising my back and eyes.  Little and often, I suppose.  

Any suggestions for productive and comfortable working methods very welcome!