Why a Writer's Office Needs a Door

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

I have a dream. It's of my optimal office space. I've achieved part of it, but there are some elements missing. Like the mountain lake outside my window. Hey, a girl can dream, right? I'd love a coffee bar behind my desk. I’m want someone to invent a desk that cleans itself. But most of all, I want a door I can close when I'm working. 

I spent the first few years of my writing career working in a corner of our master bedroom. Giant fir trees brushed the second story window, so I could fool myself that I was in the mountains. Even though chaos surrounded me in files and tube, I closed the door and pumped out six or seven books there. 

With the arrival of the first book contract, my office moved to the unused front "parlor." Lest you think I live in a great old Victorian, it is a tiny living room off the foyer. We have a great room, so that became my office. My husband bought me a beautiful, old Queen Anne desk. We finally changed the flooring in the house to all high-end vinyl plank flooring, which I love. Now my chair rolls across it instead of catching in the carpet. 

But there is no door. That means the entire household and the household chores can call my name at any time throughout the day. Insert snarky smile. They gang up on me. The washer swishes, "Ane, the towels are almost done. Time for anther load." The vacuum sucks the air from the room, groaning it needs dust. And then there's my husband. He forgets I'm writing. For some reason screeching, "Don't bother me—I'm in my story world," isn't an option with husbands. Not unless you want your shoe allowance cut off. I've tried saying, "I'm not here. I'm in Chapel Springs." Didn't work. He could hear that I was in the next room.

I’m one who needs silence when I write. I rarely even play music. Hmm, maybe I do need to spend time developing a play list. That might drown out the washing machine and the vacuum. But my biggest need is a door. I'd even give up the mountain lake view for a door. Not too sure about the coffee bar, although I can claim I exercise every day. After all, the Keurig is in the kitchen, which is across the house from my office. 

What does your optimal writing space look like? Have you achieved it? Do you have any suggestions for me?

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Ane Mulligan has been a voracious reader ever since her mom instilled within her a love of reading at age three, escaping into worlds otherwise unknown. But when Ane saw Mary Martin in PETER PAN, she was struck with a fever from which she never recovered—stage fever. She submerged herself in drama through high school and college. Years later, her two loves collided, and a bestselling, award-winning novelist emerged. She resides in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband and a rascally Rottweiler. Find Ane on her website, Amazon Author page, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and The Write Conversation.