By Kathryn Weber
Writers are a special group. They work to draw up large, tottering buckets from their creative wells and pour out new characters, ideas, situations, and images to delight, inspire, and transform their readers. But what happens to the well when the environment doesn’t support writers? It dries up. Or, worse still, only provides just enough creativity to make the writer confused and uncertain about where to go next.
When it comes to writing, the writing space is not merely an office, it is a writing environment, and the old saying that you are a product of your environment is especially true. Therefore, if your environment is cramped, dusty, and cluttered, how can you write your best? Can you create brilliant articles when you are uncomfortable and ill at-ease because your back is to the door? Is it enjoyable to work on your book when your desk is poorly arranged and you have to strain to see the computer screen?
Further, will you be inspired to keep writing when your desk is such that you are forced to reach high for a mouse, making for a sore arm sore after only a few minutes at the computer? If this is the case then, what are the products (articles, poetry, or book) of your environment? Inspired or insipid? Brilliant or dull?
If you enjoy writing and want to boost your creativity, then make your writing environment support you. A comfortable, harmonious environment directly impacts your efficiency, productivity – and creativity. So it makes sense to first create a suitable environment before you can truly write your best. Feng shui can help you because it provides the ground rules that create just this kind of environment.
1. Never sit with your back to the door.
This is rule No. 1 in office feng shui. If you can’t see what’s going on, you – and your work – will suffer. Instead, face the door and have a solid wall behind your back so that you feel supported and protected – and so that you are in a position of power.
2. Create a clean environment.
A cluttered, messy, or dusty workspace is a detraction and distraction from your work. Clear your desk, corral loose papers and pens, and organize books and materials. Make your office work so you can find what you need when you need it. This goes a long way toward enhancing your efficiency.
3. Add a small plant, aquarium, or fountain in the southeast corner of your office.
The southeast is the corner of “creation” and writing in feng shui. Adding a plant here will help you grow as a writer by infusing this area with elements that are harmonious with the southeast, such as plants, water fountains, or aquariums. The southeast is also the wealth sector, and by enhancing this area with, say, tabletop fountain, you might just also earn more from your writing.
4. Use a crystal for concentration.
Place a quartz crystal in the northeast corner of your desk to help your concentration and focus. The northeast is the direction of study and wisdom. Feng shui masters often advise students to use quartz crystals to help them concentrate when they are taking an exam.
5. Boost the south wall of your office for fame and recognition.
If you are trying to catch the eye of a publisher or market your articles or book, then boost the south portion of your office. Place articles you’ve sold, prizes or awards you’ve won, diplomas, certificates, or pictures or letters from famous people on the south wall.
Be sure to have a light positioned to shine on this wall and the accolades hanging there. Boosting the south wall this way will help enhance your recognition to other people. Who knows? Maybe that all-elusive agent will finally call you.
6. Keep open space on and around your desk.
Good feng shui is like creativity: It must be flowing. But, creativity and good energy cannot flow if your desktop is overly crowded or you can’t walk around your desk easily. Therefore, it’s important to keep an open space at the front of your desk so good energy can accumulate here, and around your work area so that good energy — and creativity — can flow easily around your desk.
Work to make sure you can walk around your desk; (yes, I know computer cords can make it difficult, but cord covers are inexpensive and can be purchased from office supply centers easily). If you must stack up your work, stack it up behind you or to your left rather than in front of you on your desk where it will appear as something insurmountable. Lastly, L-shaped desks are very inauspicious (they look like a cleaver), so avoid these desk configurations.
Now, before you set fingers to the keyboard to edit your latest article, take a look around and see if your office could use some careful editing, too. Use these guidelines here to pull your office together. With your improved environment, you might just find that you are more comfortable, and consequently, more productive and creative.
