Our house is getting a bit crowded as my daughters get older and have begun asking for their own rooms. We need space. At the moment I have a 10×14′ study in the lower level of our split level home, but we may need that space in the future for an additional bedroom.
With this mind, I have been reading a lot about writing sheds. It seems that more and more writers are writing in small outbuildings in their backyards. A few people build them from scratch, but many of them buy prefabricated sheds and convert them into tiny offices.
Here are a few examples of these kinds of sheds.
Article from the Christian Science Monitor.
An interesting blog post about a writer’s shed.
Here is some advice about how to convert a garden shed into a writing shed.
Here is a pic of food writer and cultural critic Michael Pollan’s writing cabin.
Here are some wild possibilities for writing sheds, including the shed where George Bernard Shaw wrote.
This one is cool.
Here is a blog about working in sheds.
Do any of my readers have a writing shed? If so, I would love to hear from you. I am seriously considering this, so any advice would be great!
Don't have a writing shed, so don't have any advice to offer. But it is a great idea.
My home office–my interior writing shed–disappeared when we welcomed our third child into the world. So I had to learn to write in various places and spaces–from the kitchen table to the coffee shop and beyond.
If I were to build a writing shed, here in Texas I coulnd't do it without a window A/C unit.
Phil: A small window unit is a must–even here in central PA. I would probably need a small space heater as well.
I don't have one either, but the thought has always appealed to me, especially after reading about Annie Dillard's shed in _The Writing Life_.
Thanks for the neat links. I really enjoy your blog.
Caleb: I have not read much of Dillard, but your note inspired me to order The Writing Life. Thanks for reading!
I find that different writing projects require different writing spaces, thus no shed for me, indeed no one place: office = academic book/article writing; coffee shop = writing for general audiences; living room = reflective writing … etc.
Hi John – enjoying the blog!
Thanks for reading Caryn. Let me add one more scenario: blogging=sitting in recliner watching reruns of Law and Order: Criminal Intent or a ball game.
I hope all is well. It sounds as if you have been busy.
Can we have one of these at Messiah?! How great…when we're feeling uninspired at our desks, we could retreat to the college writing shed. No distractions. Just a peaceful place for cranking out the next big project, whatever it may be!
Beth: I think this idea should be taken up immediately with high level adminstrators at Messiah!
Yes, you should definitely do it. But then I'm biased!