This week, The Writing Barn sat down with author and professional organizer Sonya Feher as she discussed her writing background, how she came upon a career in organizing, her preference for wine, and her upcoming class at The Writing Barn entitled Room to Write: Creating Room for Writing in your Space, Time, and Mind. Read the interview below to learn more.
We are tremendously excited about your upcoming Room to Write Class. Would you share with us some about your background as a space organizer and how that developed into your approach to creating and sustaining the “room” to write?
Actually, it started the other way around. I’ve known I was a writer since about 3rd grade. I’d worked as an English teacher and gotten an MFA in poetry, then had run a couple of Sylvan Learning Centers. Throughout all my professional life, I have specialized in writing. Everywhere in my life, in work, writing, and at home, I had focused on organizing and creating systems. When I began working as a professional organizer in 2010, helping creatives get organized and create room to write or make art was a logical step. I have the great good fortune of being someone who operates equally in the left and right sides of my brain, so I really get how and why creatives who live so much in their creative right brains need help with the logistics of organizing space, submissions, time, and systems that will support their real passion and interest in life.
WB: Who would benefit the most from taking your class and why?
Writers at any stage of experience will benefit from the class. Those who have been writing for a long time know exactly what the obstacles to writing for them are, whether it’s not making time to write, not having a place to write, or writing plenty and then not taking the next step to work. I can help those people take a real look at what kind of structure works for them and how to set something up that will be sustainable for their process.
Writers just starting out may have a very good idea of what they want to do, but need help creating a container in which to do that. Should they be out writing at a coffee shop? How and when will they edit or submit? Do they write on paper on a screen? There is no one right answer. I help people figure out what will work for them.
WB: What can you share with us about what will be covered in Room to Write?
In Room to Write, students will have an opportunity to visualize the ideal writing space for them, then will get to use a writer’s room inventory to determine what that space needs to contain. We’ll also cover writing methods, time of day, organizing submissions, and creating structures for writing goals so there’s a plan for how to achieve them.
WB: Where is your favorite space to write?
If I’m using my notebook and writing poetry, anywhere. Writing essays, blogs, or nonfiction happens in my writer’s room. It’s got everything I need.
WB: And no writer interview is complete without two questions: White or red, when it comes to wine? And sweet or salty?
I had an unfortunate run-in with wine at a slumber party when I was 14, so the only wine I drink is prosecco, usually with mango OJ. Sweet or salty? Chocolate. Or buttered popcorn with nutritional yeast. So both.
“Room to Write” will be held at The Writing Barn on May 4, 2014 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. There are only a few spots available, so if you’re interested, register now here.