For a long time, I managed to crowd my writing into a small spot along the wall in our modest living room. There just wasn't room in the house for a real space of my own, and it is something that has never really worked in any of our houses, and I've tried not to let it stop me, but it definitely slowed me down. I finally conceived the dream of buying an old camp trailer (aka "caravan" in English English, iirc) and turning it into my dream studio (or close as you can come in an old trailer) out in the driveway. I carried the dream for a year or two, as my writing progress was increasingly restricted by the lack of space (and sometimes too many interruptions and distractions).

Finally, in autumn of 2008, I got so desperate that I decided to borrow two thousand dollars to buy, strip out (on the cheap), and refurbish (also on the cheap) a trailer if I could find one that could work. I really lucked out, and just in time. If I'd bought it a week later we would have had to wait months to bring it up here because of the snow that came in. Backing a trailer that size into our driveway when precise placement is needed is not something you want to do through three-foot snow drifts! It is probably the smartest money I ever spent that I didn't have. (And low interest, for now, and I'm good at steady paying down.)

It's not so pretty on the outside—yet. One of these days I'll be able to afford to paint the outside. I'll probably go with a light sky blue background (with that amazing insulative/reflective paint additive developed by NASA), then try to finagle a real artist to do the pretty part. I'm thinking a picket fence, sunflowers, morning glories, roses, bluebirds… By winter, it will have a nice peaked little snow roof, which will help it live longer and stay cozier.

Here is the "before" shot. It took some work to strip it out, but I was smart and budgeted to pay a friend with experience at just that to handle some of the most intimidating parts, like the built-in kitchen (I kept the overhead cabinets on both sides, since they are useful and not in the way). It took some more work (and some bargain shopping, at which I am very accomplished) to set it up. I am so happy with the results. I just love working at my new, large desk, with room for all my writing books and supplies and more.

Come on in for a tour of my new writing studio…