It’s fair to say that most people think writing is a solo affair: writer, computer, room, coffee. Silence, and thought. No interruptions. And this model is true for some. But it doesn’t work for many writers, and I’m one of them.

I need stimulation, including interruptions when I want them. I need to see other people, even if we’re not working together. My writing needs to see the expressions on others’ faces, the colours of the day, the sounds of the world. And for all these reasons, I share a co-working office space in Fremantle, called fSpace.

It’s a wonderful community within the community of Freo.

I’ve been here for five years now. Before this, I would go to a café and write. Which was fine for the writing, but not so good for the eating and the wallet. Here, I see familiar, friendly faces, can have a chat if I want to, or work without pause if I’m on a mission. The space can support up to 32 individuals (if everyone were to be at their desk at the same time) but usually there are 10 to 15 people in here, getting on with their individual endeavours. Individuals in a community. We have after-work drinks together every now and then, and look out for one another if someone’s needing support. But beyond that, we are unrelated individuals choosing to share a space. And we have created a little community in the doing.

Among others, fSpace houses a professional photographer, a healthcare technologist, a migration lawyer, graphic designers, digital animators and a sustainability consultant. I’ve written a couple of novels since being here, and am hoping to complete another soon. 

So whatever your work, don’t be discouraged if you can’t get much done alone in an office with the door shut. In other environments such a situation would be used a form of torture. 

And if you’re interested in learning more about fSpace, check out http://fspace.me or contact Sabine or Jason on info@cobot.me  The first fSpace magazine was published recently, and it’s an absolute ripper.