Where the magic happens

1. While sitting on the couch as the rest of the family watches TV.
2. At the dining room table.
3. At the kitchen table (although often it's too crunchy there.)
4. On Dave's chair.
5. In the driver's seat of my car. (I usually pull over first.)
6. In the passenger's seat of my car.
7. And Dave's.
8. At the desk in my bedroom.
9. In the La-Z-Boy.
10. In bed.
11. In Genoa's bed while she naps.
12. On the throne.
13. In the backyard under my favorite trees.
14. At the community center while the old folks do chair aerobics across the hall.
15. At the library.
16. At the other library.
17. At McDonald's.
18. At that cute little cafe down the street where I thought I had my ear buds plugged in, but the whole place could hear my mojo music.
19. At Panera.
20. At Brewed Awakenings.
21. At Powell's.
22. At Border's.
23. At the movie theater while watching previews.
24. On airplanes.
25. In airport lounges.
26. In hotel lobbies.
27. In hotel rooms.
28. In hotel bars.

And by magic, you know I'm talking about writing, right? When people ask me how I find the time to do it, the answer is easy: I stopped cleaning my house. In fact the only place I can think of where I've never written a single word is in our home OFFICE. Because up until this afternoon, it looked like this: 

It was honestly getting to the point where I needed an intervention, but today I finally got off my arse and did it.
Now I not only have a new place to write, but a new place to work out. I plan to squeeze a treadmill in there behind the door.

And for what it's worth, no animals were harmed in the making of this episode. Unless you count the dust mites.

Comments

[Melissa]

I think for this to be an official episode of hoarders, you would have to have, at minimum, 2 cats (dead or alive) in that before picture.

[angelynn]

It's funny where things come to you. You can find inspiration out of the blue in the most random places. Your office looks amazing, it's such a beautiful room. After things have piled up for so long it's intimidating. I need to remind myself to just get started.

[Grace]

Where did you put all that stuff that was IN your office?

[Jenny H.]

I am in love with you.

[Amanda]

Grace - I totally put EVERYTHING away where it goes! I also ended up completely cleaning the garage and filling the back of my truck with stuff for Goodwill while I was at it. And our trash can and recycle bin are both totally overflowing right now.

Most of the crap in there was either sports equipment or Christmas stuff that just needed to get back onto our garage shelves. I've never let it get that bad before!

[Michele]

Inspired! Thank you!

[Alison]

But WHERE did it go? I just shuffle my shit around instead of cleaning because there's no more room for anything!

[Megan]

Yesterday I thought my headphones were plugged in while I was on the bus. Instead, not only did I enjoy the title track of Xanadu on repeat for 20 minutes, so did EVERYONE on the bus! Big day for everyone! So yeah, your headphones story made me smile. :)

[serror]

Nice work! Very impressive, and the room looks great!

[bethany actually]

Wow, you CLEANED THAT ROOM. I am highly impressed. :-)

[The Original Drama Mama]

I love this post...for the reality of how to make writing happen wherever and whenever you can...and for the vicarious enjoyment, freedom, and mental clean slate that organized room provides! Great Job!

I do a Monday Muse series on my website, all about "Mama Artists" - mothers who manage to find time to devote to family and craft and who blog about it and provide inspiration to others. Just wanted to let you know, you are my Monday Muse this week! (the first since it went on hiatus - I'm starting fresh with you!)
http://meloniejohnson.com/blog/2010/05/03/monday-muse-is-back-and-sippin-some-mandajuice/