You get to build your perfect space for reading and writing. What’s it like?

Blog: The Perfect Places to Read and Write: A Personal Reflection

As writers and readers, our environments have a profound impact on how we engage with words. The spaces where we write and read often carry meaning beyond their physical characteristics—they become part of the story, shaping how ideas flow or how deeply we immerse ourselves in a book.

When I think about the ideal place to write, my mind drifts back to a time when I worked on cruise ships in the spa. In the evenings, when the day’s work was done, I loved finding a quiet moment on the back deck. Watching the sun dip below the horizon, with the gentle hum of the ship and the open sea stretching endlessly before me, brought a sense of serenity like no other. It was as if the ocean’s vastness cleared space in my mind, allowing creativity to flow freely. The rhythm of the waves seemed to match the rhythm of my thoughts, and it became my perfect writing sanctuary—one filled with inspiration and peace.

On the other hand, my favourite place to read takes me back to my childhood. In my parents’ old house in North Wales, my bedroom had a windowsill that felt like it was made just for me—a cozy book nook. From there, I could look out over the park, where one particular tree always caught my eye. That tree became a symbol of home, grounding me no matter how far life took me. Sitting there, surrounded by books, I felt safe and comforted, as if the stories I read blended with the view outside my window.

For me, the act of writing feels expansive, like the wide-open sea, while reading feels intimate and grounding, like a warm nook by the window. Both are essential, and both are deeply tied to the spaces we inhabit.

It’s a reminder that our surroundings—whether grand or simple—can shape how we create and connect with words. As I think about it now, these places weren’t just about the physical comfort or the view; they represented two different sides of me. Writing on the deck was a connection to the world’s vastness, while reading on the windowsill was a connection to my roots.

What about you? Where do you find your perfect places to write or read?