{"id":141,"date":"2022-04-19T15:12:59","date_gmt":"2022-04-19T14:12:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/welspgr\/?p=141"},"modified":"2022-02-03T17:37:31","modified_gmt":"2022-02-03T17:37:31","slug":"finding-your-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/welspgr\/index.php\/2022\/04\/19\/finding-your-space\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Your Space"},"content":{"rendered":"

Finding\u00a0<\/span>Your Space<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n
\"\"
Photo by Mari\u00e1n \u0160icko from Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.\u2019<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2015 Virginia Woolf,\u00a0<\/span>A Room of\u00a0One\u2019s\u00a0Own<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some people can write anywhere, in coffee shops, in hotel reception rooms, in parks on a sunny day, or wherever they\u00a0find themselves in their free time.\u00a0However, this kind of freedom is not universal, and many people find themselves restrained by their emotional and occupational responsibilities and a lack of physical space.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I\u00a0have been a better writer since I have had an area to write and keep my writing\u00a0tools, such as my books, notepads, computer\u00a0(with\u00a0two\u00a0screens),\u00a0printer,\u00a0large\u00a0desk, and\u00a0comfy chair. These are all things that I find are necessary for me\u00a0to get anything worth reading written. However, I have only had this space since one of my children moved out. Before then, I would set up my computer wherever I could, in the kitchen, in the garden, on the sofa.\u00a0The problem was that\u00a0people would be in and out, the television would come on, the door would ring,\u00a0and\u00a0my thoughts and writing\u00a0would be\u00a0continually\u00a0interrupted.\u00a0Being a writing nomad led me to waste precious time. I was constantly losing things, and the disturbances would make me lose my thread\u00a0and procrastinate.\u00a0I would\u00a0usually\u00a0have to\u00a0go back to the beginning and start again. Another, probably more serious, issue\u00a0of\u00a0not having a proper place to write was that\u00a0the inadequate seating gave me\u00a0back problems. Nowadays, I have an ergonomic writing chair, but alas, the damage is done, and so I urge you younger academics not to take your health for granted.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, it is not easy to find a solution to this issue. Years ago, I cleared out a tiny store-room\/cupboard and used that, but the lack of windows gave me a headache. I know other people who have done the same thing.\u00a0<\/span>Rowena Murray<\/span><\/a>\u00a0suggests that it might be more productive learning to write at the doctor\u2019s, dentist\u2019s, on a coffee or lunch break and so on.\u00a0<\/span>Tara\u00a0Brabazon<\/span><\/a>\u00a0agrees that we do not need expensive equipment,\u00a0but\u00a0we do need our own space. Virginia Woolf highlighted this issue\u00a0in 1935 with her iconic essay\u00a0<\/span>A Room of\u00a0One\u2019s\u00a0Own<\/span><\/a>,<\/span>\u00a0which pointed<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>out the\u00a0difficulties many women had both metaphorically and physically\u00a0relating to the lack of independence and physical space. Society has changed since then, but\u00a0privacy\u00a0is\u00a0still an issue for many people.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My question is, how\u00a0and where\u00a0do other people write? How many people can genuinely\u00a0compose\u00a0their thoughts and create\u00a0wherever they find themselves?\u00a0It would be great if other people could share their\u00a0ideas\u00a0and experience on this\u00a0matter.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Lesley Fearn\u00a0@lesleyfearn<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/h6>\n
I recently achieved my EdD regarding learning and teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) using online community projects in secondary schools. This interest stems from more than thirty years of experience teaching English (as a Foreign Language) and English literature in state schools in the south of Italy. During this time, I have continually experimented with new approaches and techniques, especially with technology, to motivate students in their schooling. Other areas of interest include Fine Art and English literature that I studied as a BA and MA. As far as research is concerned, I am particularly interested in Action Research and sociocultural paradigms.<\/strong><\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Finding\u00a0Your Space\u00a0 \u2018There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.\u2019\u00a0 \u2015 Virginia Woolf,\u00a0A Room of\u00a0One\u2019s\u00a0Own\u00a0 Some people can write anywhere, in coffee shops, in hotel reception rooms, in parks on a sunny day, or wherever they\u00a0find themselves in their free time.\u00a0However, this kind of freedom … <\/p>\n

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