Guest blogger, Big Bertha here, straight from the hen house with some tips to help further your writing career. Today’s topic? Setting up that perfect writing spot.

Look for limited distractions

I don’t know about you, but sharing a chicken coop with 22 hens and 2 up and coming roosters can get rowdy at times. Talk about noise! Someone or other is cackling and boasting about the egg she just laid, or one of the young roosters is practicing his cockle-doodle-dooing, but noise is supreme! So what’s a budding writer to do? Look for a place with limited distractions.

This may mean finding a spot no one knows about… a nook out of sight where a gal can get some work done! Be patient if you can’t find it right away. I finally found a spot in the tool shed. It’s quiet, airy, and away from all the buzz of the barnyard.

Personalize your spot

Once you have your writing nook picked, make it your own! Put in that comfy chair, bring in a functional table or desk, put up some fun photos, and bring in your favorite mug for coffee or tea. Make the area a satisfying spot to sit down and tap out those ideas!

Create a writing schedule

Now that you’re ready to write, give yourself a schedule. Visit your writing spot every day for a period of time. Pull out that pen and paper or open up a document on your laptop and start filling up the page.

What if you have writers’ block and that blank page is staring back at you? Try scribbling! Besides being a master at chicken scratch, I happen to enjoy making tracks on paper. Try it. Makes some doodles, and think about what that doodle looks like.

Does it look like a house, or a goat? A tree or an apple? Take that item and create a story about that. Just make sure you are writing in your spot every day.

Finding that perfect writing spot is super important. Take time to find that right wordsmithing place for you to get your writing moving forward!

Big Bertha lives with her hen mates in the backyard of author Catherine Osornio. Although not having as many writing credits as her landlord, Bertha pecks away diligently, hoping for that perfect open door. Besides writing, Big Bertha enjoys foraging and hanging out with her feathered friends by the water cooler. You can reach Catherine Osornio at closornio@verizon.net or visit her at www.catherineosornio.com.

Unsplash credits for desk and bird tracks by Mikey Harris and Brooke Balentine. All other images and photos by Catherine Osornio