Home Office for Storytelling

It's amazing how much space it takes. You'd think, "So okay, you get up and talk. How much space can a storyteller's office require?" You would be amazed.

First, I need file storage for stories, story ideas, tax documents, and contacts. Then I need space for my puppets--not all storytellers use puppets, but I do many programs for children with them that include audience participation. Then there are the rhythm instruments, the sound system and related cords and microphone paraphernalia, craft supplies because sometimes I do craft programs too, program props like quilts and skinning boards and family photos, the spiral binding machine and supplies, paper of many kinds, the shrink wrap machine and heat gun, the button maker and paper cutter and long-reach stapler. And books--lots and lots and lots of books. Brochures, handouts, workshop supplies, racks, totes, suitcases, and of course all the usual things needed in an office. It's a lot of stuff.

There is also the computer, printer, etc to consider. I recently got satellite Internet, so there's more equipment for that. And of course storage for the stock of CDs and books. It all takes a lot of space.

I wonder how I did it when I had just a little desk in a corner of the kitchen, and I remember how hard it was to get ready for a gig, trying to find all my stuff, trying to work at a desk piled high with paper and books in the middle of the kitchen where everyone in the house seemed to congregate. I wonder how i managed when I moved the computer to the bedroom and worked out of the corner, adding a cabinet for storage and feeling like I was all set then!

Now I have a whole room, and with the final steps of getting a real desk, file cabinets, additional storage, a new computer and printer and fast Internet, I finally feel like I have what I need.

I feel absolutely, totally, guiltily spoiled.