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June 2003 Column

The trees are finally sprouting green leaves after a particularly nasty New England winter. The grass is green and my two sons now prefer the sandbox to the television. I smile with the thought that it's finally time to move back to my summer office.

Now before my readers start thinking about how it must be nice to have enough writing income to support two offices, let me explain. My winter office consists of a very small corner of our very small living room. Despite it's size it's a cozy spot. Right near our woodstove. A great place to write when the cold winds and snow blow outside. Which by the way I can see from the bow window that my desk faces.

My summer office in contrast is as big as the great outdoors. In fact it is the great outdoors. Once the warmer weather comes to my corner of the world, you'll find me notebook and pen in hand at our picnic table.

While the children play happily in the yard around me, I contentedly scribble away in my ever present notebook. With the warm sun beating on me and the birds serenading my every word the stories seem to flow easily from my pen.

The location of my summer office, consisting of the above mentioned notebook and pen, can change as quickly as my children's minds. In the past, my office has quickly and easily relocated to the family tent, the ocean, playgrounds and various picnics.

Spring was a long time in coming this year and my summer office is a welcome change. With it comes longer days, more writing time, and the chance to work in the most beautiful office that nature could provide.

Carla Charter is mom to Samantha (12), Halden (5), and Mathew (4). In addition to being a mom, Carla is a freelance writer specializing in newspaper and magazine journalism. Among her publication credits are Woman's World, American Indian Report  and New England Business Journal. Online she has been published in Scubasource.com and Military.com. She teaches creative writing courses at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, Ma. Recently her novel Across Lots has been serialized at http://www.newenglandwow.com. She may be reached at cjfreelancewriter@earthlink.net.