The 'psychology of place’ for a writer | Does the perfect writing space really exist?

Explore the psychological impact of place and mindset for writers. Does the elusive 'perfect writing space' truly exist or does creativity thrive regardless of location?

Many writers chase the vision of an ideal writing space, imagining themselves tucked away in sun-drenched rooms, rustic lake-side cabins, cosy cafés (in Paris) and attics filled with books, charm and a vintage typewriter. These romanticised settings promise effortless creativity and inspiration, where writerly struggles are magically overcome. 

As writers, we constantly grapple with the concept of place, seeking environments that will stimulate our imagination and foster an unlimited flow of creativity.

At book launches, audience members are always curious as to the author's writing location and process. (If we knew where they wrote and how they wrote, we could mimic that and then our writing life would be just dandy).    

But does this idyllic place where writers are made really exist, or is it a myth? And more importantly, do we even need it?

Writer's write

Do all the stars have to align in one perfectly curated physical location for the muse to show up so we can actually be inspired and write?

I’ll give Stephen King the floor here: He believes the (hard-headed) muse is a basement kind of guy who lives in the ground and we have to descend to his level. Only once we get down there, furnish an apartment for him to live in and do all the grunt labour, will he deign to show up with a little magic. 

As a freelance writer with deadlines and client expectations, I can't afford to wait for the perfect haven to write. I must write wherever I am.

I am a writer. I have to write. I love to write. If my words were only dependent on place and setting, I would not be a writer. 

Yes, I have a lovely study with a garden view, and a few favourite coffee shop haunts that I frequent, but I've found inspiration at unexpected and ‘imperfect' places: airports, park benches, kitchen tables, even hospital waiting rooms (with a takeaway cappuccino in hand). 

The reality is no single place guarantees success or cures ‘writer’s block’. The inner workings of a writer’s psyche are far more complex than geography and aesthetics!

The myth of the ‘perfect place’

At the heart of the quest for a perfect writing space is the hope that it will invite the muse. The reality, however, is more nuanced. 

Some of the world’s greatest writers penned their masterpieces in ordinary places: J.K. Rowling in Edinburgh cafés, Jack Kerouac in a small apartment, Maya Angelou in a sparse hotel room, Harper Lee in a tiny rented flat, and Jane Austen at a modest writing desk in her parlour. (Just to name a few).

Creativity is a state of being that transcends physical spaces.

I have to, therefore, come to terms with the reality that the Tuscan villa writing retreat is a want, not a need! (Perhaps a Hallmark movie plot is in my future and some unknown family member will leave me a rundown villa in their will. After all, no-one said writers can’t be dreamers). 😉

Can you write anywhere?

Yes you can! Writing well, however, depends on your personality and habits. Some writers thrive in chaos, finding inspiration amidst noise, while others prefer solitude and a controlled environment.

Recognise your unique preferences and understand the conditions that allow you to focus and enter the creative ‘zone.’ If, and when, these are disrupted, you’ll still have to buckle down and write, because you are a wordsmith in pursuit of a story, not a place.  

I love Winnie M Li’s perspective: 

We may always want to escape from the world as writers, but the truth is, the work of writing is often embedded into our everyday lives - and inextricable from it, both in process and in theme. If we can create in and amongst mess and chaos, then we’re doing something right.

There you have it: while place may influence mood, it's not the key to creativity.

The ‘psychology of place’ and creativity

If a perfect space doesn’t exist, what makes a place conducive to writing? 

Physical environments do affect mood, focus and cognitive functioning. Some spaces may trigger stress, while others make us feel calm or inspired 

Here’s a breakdown:

• Familiarity vs. novelty: Familiar places offer  predictability, while new locations can stimulate fresh ideas.

• Control over environment: Writers often focus better when they can control noise, lighting, and temperature. Home offices provide more control, while cafés may be more stimulating.

• Physical comfort: Comfortable spaces, like a supportive chair or good lighting, can boost productivity.

• Emotional connection: Spaces with personal meaning can help writers tap into deeper emotions and create more authentic work.

The flexible writer | Adapting to any space

Adaptability is key. While waiting for the ‘right’ conditions to start writing, writers risk falling into the traps of perfectionism or procrastination.

Simple ways to build adaptability as a writer:

• Create writing rituals: Develop habits that signal it's time to write, no matter where you are. This could be making a cup of tea, playing a favourite playlist, or always using the same notebook. 

• Control what you can: If you can’t control your environment, adjust the elements within it. Use noise-cancelling headphones, sit in a comfy chair, or set a timer to create structure, even in distracting spaces.

• Prioritise mindset over location: Focus on your mental space instead of your physical one. Use meditation, deep breathing, or writing prompts to get into a creative flow, no matter where you are.

• Try new places: If you feel stuck, change your surroundings. A new setting can refresh your perspective and boost creativity.

  
  

I’m  a firm believer that story moments are all around us and that inspiration can appear in the most unlikely of places, at the most unexpected of times.

Creating your ‘perfect’ writing spot

While the fantasy of an idyllic writing turret overlooking a Provencal village or the English countryside may not exist, you can optimise your regular spot.

This everyday writing space has the potential to become your ‘perfect ‘zen’ writing space.

Surrounding yourself with a few of your favourite things - that spark joy - will translate to you being in your ‘happy place’. 

It's from this spot, as you show up and sit down to write every day, that the words will come, the creativity will flow, and the muse will pop in (every now and again). Make sure you are ready. 

Maya Angelou agrees. She emphasises persistence rather than the need for a perfect place to summon inspiration:

What I try to do is write. I may write for two weeks 'the cat sat on the mat, that is that, not a rat,' and it might be just the most boring and awful stuff. But I try. When I'm writing, I write. And then it's as if the muse is convinced that I'm serious and says, 'Okay. Okay. I'll come.'

The writer’s true place is within.

It’s not the place that makes the writer; it’s the writing itself. While a comfortable, inspiring space helps, creativity stems from your thoughts, observations and emotions, not the place you’re in. 

The perfect place is where you choose to write. 

Ultimately, it’s the authenticity of our words - oftentimes written in imperfect circumstances - that connects with readers.

It seems fitting to give Stephen King the last word: He posits that the perfect place isn’t as important as simply sitting down to write, wherever that may be: 

Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.

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