Perpetual Ruminations

It's Not a Man Cave, it's my Haven Hut

I've been thinking about getting more serious about writing. I need to write, it's in my blood and in my soul, but currently and for the past few years, I have not been writing enough. Why? Interruptions and distractions. They have plagued me for years, but recently they have manifested into a kind of writer's block.

Understand that I am very introverted; I enjoy being introverted, but it does create some obstacles. When I write I become lost in my work, it is my escape from life and all the voices in my head. Yes, I'm one of those people who cannot shut off my thinking, except when I'm writing or reading.

Distractions yank me out of this place I refuge in, and unlike so many others, I cannot close them out. If they're short and minor I can re-escape, but if they are constant or require much time, I find it frustrating and difficult to get back into my work or story. My problem is I don't have a sanctuary to write in. You can call it whatever you desire, but I prefer the term, "Haven Hut".

I need a place I can go and get away from distractions and interruptions, a place I can focus on writing. I've tried a spare room within the house, but it's no good, someone will either knock until I stop and inquire about their needs, or they will come in and just stand there, waiting for me to stop and inquire about their needs.

I have also tried libraries, coffee shops, and other places, but again, I get interrupted, I have had total strangers stop by and ask me what I'm writing, or just ask some silly question as to why I'm so absorbed in what I'm doing... "Duh! I was absorbed until you came over and interrupted me!" Of course, I don't say it, or anything rude; they mean no harm, but really, can't you see that I'm busy?

Anyway, my wife and I were discussing my writing. She is a constant promoter of my writing and getting my work published. (She is also one of the distractions, and knows this.) Her idea was, to write as a job, set regular hours, and approach it the same as if I worked outside the home. I agreed it sounded like a grand plan, but I explained the problem of distractions. Most days, she and the kids are gone either to work or school. But the days the kids are home disrupts this routine, holidays, sick days, and snow days are quite frequent. Also, our neighbor, and friend, likes to visit randomly and will stay for hours drinking coffee and talking.

We discussed some options, but with money as it is, there is no possible way to rent an office. Also, any space for rent would likely be six or more miles away, and in the winter, I would prefer not to drive any more than I have to.

I told her it would be nice if we had a hardshell camper I could use instead of our pop-up. She agreed that would be a solution, and if it's not our camping camper, I could set it up as a space specifically for writing. Problem solved! Well, it would be if we had such a camper to convert over to my writing haven. But, the price of campers has gone through the ceiling in our area. The only affordable options require a crap-load of work.

So, now we wait, we look, and we hope to find a good deal on a small camper that we can afford to purchase and set up for my Haven Hut.