As anybody who does any significant amount of writing will tell you, the environment is all important. You need your own “space”.

Many retreat to the mountains or to the beach, where the air is fresh, the noise levels low, and the distractions, minimal.

Lucky them. I’ve got kids.

Instead, I have a “man cave” – purpose built through trial and a fair bit error over four laborious years. Lots of bent nails, burred screws and wasted wood, but the end “product” if I don’t say so myself, is magnificent – a source of envy for any hen pecked husband who ventures into the back yard.

Gabled roof, with a more recent skillion roof extension – small, comfortable, cozy, over-endowed with all essential modern appliances. Most importantly, a handy 37 steps from the back deck. Peak hour traffic, never a problem.

During the day, my only visitors are two dogs and six chickens. The dogs like the company, the chickens like the food they know is stored against the back wall of the “annexure”, right beside the XXXX Can- shaped beer fridge (circa 1996). One of the last remaining vestiges of those heady corporate days, shame I now have to pay to fill it up.

I can be out in The Shed for days before anybody notices I’m missing. Or maybe they know I’m missing and are happy for me to stay that way.

I don’t have many good ideas on a daily, evenly weekly basis. But any that I do, generally dawn upon me when I’m luxuriating in the sanctity of my shed.

So writers, bloggers, social commentators, aspiring best selling authors – find your “happy” place. I swear it makes a world of difference.

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