The space behind my couch used to be a wasteland of old plastic toys, puzzle pieces, and model train tracks, all of which my children haven’t played with in years. When my husband decided to renovate our unfinished basement last year, I gave him a very clear quid pro quo. If he gets the basement, then I stake my claim on the space behind the couch.  The toys went to children who would actually play with them and I went shopping for a fabulous (and comfortable) reading chair, a reading light, a beautiful book shelf and a writing desk. Truth be told, I still do most of my writing at the bookstore or library. Being around books, and more importantly, coffee, gives me inspiration, but I do love to stand and admire my nook, especially when the rhododendrons are in bloom outside the windows.