Jennifer McBride’s Blogger Space

Jennifer McBride writes thoughtfully, elegantly, and passionately about divorce, loss, transformation and creativity. Visit her at her blog here, or on Amazon where her book Touching the Trees is available. Check out her Blogger Space below.

My writing space used to be in the basement, until it became the living room couch because the basement was too cold and dark. Then, when I had so many people moving into my house last spring and needed every last bit of floor space in the basement, we moved my desk to the bedroom, in front of a window, where there’s lots of light.

I spend several hours a day looking out the window, watching my neighbors come and go, wincing as the cats run across the street, reading and thinking. Here I do my writing, document writing for my various organizations, novel writing, e-mail writing, and fundraiser book writing. I also edit photos and have conference calls and eat, sometimes.

Usually there’s at least one Diet Mountain Dew can or gas station styrofoam cup sitting on the desk. As I write this, I have both of these things, plus a glass of red wine.

A few highlights of my blogging space: to the left is a mirrored wall (they are actually closet doors). On the mirror are little sticky notes with marketing ideas. I thought I’d stick them there to remind me to market my books everyday. Um…it didn’t work.

Behind my laptop are framed pictures of my kids about five years ago. They look kind of dorky, but I like the reminder of when they were younger. On my printer is a packet of photos form Target. They were my first trial run of pictures for the Basement Diaries book and accompanying art.

Above the lamp and taped to the window molding is a sheet of paper showing my very first sale of Touching the Trees via Amazon. Above that is the postcard I got from participating in the NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month) event in 2008. It says “Rock Star.” That’s for the novel I’m still writing.

To the very far right, sitting on another laptop, is a purple bundle. That’s dried lavender my former mother-in-law still sends me every year for my birthday because she knows I love it. Right now, last year’s bundle is being used as a blind pull. I haven’t decided what to do with this year’s bundle yet.

I like touchstones. Almost every business card/pen holder on my desk is a piece of pottery I picked up somewhere special. Hidden from view behind the computer is a set of candles form when I started my new life a few years ago, as well as a glass jar from New York City in 2000. Also on the desk is a pile of paper scraps on which I write codes to help me remember my passwords to things. I know it’s not a good idea to actually write down the passwords, but now I have to remember the codes to remember the passwords. Somehow it works for me.

I love my space. It brings out the best in me; it’s a safe place to lose myself in creativity and find myself by experiencing the creativity of others.

Life with Smalls, a humorous mommy blog on the glorious, mundane, and gross moments she has experienced while raising two small children. Check out her comfy Blogger Space below.

I write on my bed.

Sometimes I write in my bed.

I do this primarily because it is one of the few places in the house where I can excuse myself from the usual chaos, and get some down time. I’d love to have a real office, but that isn’t possible right now, so my bed is my desk.

Usually the bed is not made and things look a lot more disheveled. I cleaned up and made it presentable just for you, lest you think I live in a total pigsty. Clearly I have internalized my Grandmother telling me to “always wear clean underwear,” and now, apparently, I apply that idea to my writing space…hmm…I’m realizing that may be possible “Black Couch” material, so, note to self.

I was a screenwriter for many years, and while I don’t have time anymore to write all those hours everyday, I started Life with Smalls ao that I don’t go completely insane raising my kids.

My bed is comfortable, it’s spacious, and it’s quiet. Sometimes too much so, because instead of writing, I occasionally fall asleep.

Perhaps I’d be more prolific if I actually had a desk. Perhaps I’d be more prolific if I didn’t have young children.

Well, too late now…

Blogger Space is a series devoted to showcasing the places bloggers choose to write. Want to show off your digs? Send a photo of your space, a blurb about why you write where you do, and a link to your blog to [email protected].