a day off only means I'm not typing...

[lagilman]

Oh, @Bronxalehouse I do love you so, but that Founder's Porter had more of a kick than I was expecting... *wince* And yet, I am awake at 6am. On a day off. *glares at cats* Was good to see 0eris0 and her non-LJ'd C, though.

Yesterday was Very Productive. [backstory] One of the things I set for myself, in my Second Life, was not to downsize, but right-size. I've gone from a Very Large House to a Large (1200 square feet) apartment to a smaller (but still large by NYC standards) 1 bedroom apartment. While perfection would be a slightly larger bathroom, I'm usually quite satisfied with where I am now. And I have discovered that one of the golden benefits of living in a space that's appropriate for your needs is that, when you decide to do a full, post-project cleaning/sorting/dusting binge, you can get it all accomplished in a single day, without falling over exhausted, after [see above re: bheer].

Also, waking up to a home that's in perfect working condition, everything in its place, and every place dusted and shiny? It's like elves came by in the night*. Hello, August, already you're nice.


Meanwhile, despite it being a day off, the Dark UF idea has taken an interesting turn. I now know more about the characters, and who the POV will be. My first time writing an unreliable narrator. And also, some Other Things. Oh dear. Well, if you're not taking a risk, you're not doing it right, right?

And the alt-historical weird whateveritis is also steaming along, proposal-wise. The next step will be to let myself write a chapter or three.... *eyes pile of research material, consoles self with possible research trips*

Today has been set aside for working on the TBR pile, and getting to the Leverage project. And heading to the grocery store, because I am almost out of coffee filters. Oh, the horror!




*yes, I know I did the work. But when you wake up all you think is "there's nothing draped over that chair. No stacks of paper piled on the coffee table. The magazines have all been sorted and recycled, and the tub's been scrubbed. Wow."

Comments

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

I'm correcting a posting error!
All right! I'm hiring a house cleaner before you get here in September.

[wood-dragon.livejournal.com]

May I ask a logistics question? I'm planning a move in the next 9 months and looking at what I really need in a living space. Where do you do your writing?

My current apartment is a poorly sound-proofed 2 bedroom. I'd planned to use the second as an office but a number of circumstances changed that (including a 80+ year old neighbour who sleeps in the room below that one & goes to bed right around my optimal writing time. Rolling office chairs & accidentally dropped items can be disruptive, I suppose. ::/sarcasm::).

ETA: Meant to say that the room just stores 'stuff' & I'm considering a 1 bedroom in the future.

[lagilman]

I use what would normally be the dining alcove* (a 7' x 8' space) for my main office, because it has the best natural light. Also, I wanted to keep my bedroom and work area distinct [although I'm as likely to read manuscripts sitting on the sofa in the adjacent living area, and the reference bookshelves are in the foyer...]

You need to sit down and think about the conditions you work best under - do you need windows? Room to pace? Easy access to the coffee maker? Are you okay with your books being in another room, or does everything need to be at arm's length? Do you use a desk or a chair-and-lapdesk more effectively? Etc.

What I found useful for me -- and what makes this space such an effective spot -- is that from my desk I look out over the entire living area. It feels both cozy and very open, and lets the felines keep an eye on me from their various perches, without getting in my way (ideally, anyway) I'm far more effective in this space than I was when I had a 2nd bedroom set aside as my office.

(Putting a carpet or chair-guard underneath is a kindness to neighbors, yeah.)



*[I have a cafe-style set-up that takes up very little room, to replace the more traditional table)

[wood-dragon.livejournal.com]

Good things to think about. Thanks!