Today I visited the Toronto Writers’ Centre, a sanctuary of seclusion for serious writers. In exchange for a monthly fee, membership offers a haven where you can work without interruption, a hideaway where no one can find you, a cubicle so free from distraction you can’t even disturb yourself.
The Toronto Writers’ Centre quiet room allows for nothing extraneous. At all. The quiet, climate-controlled atmosphere resembles a sensory deprivation tank with no phone, no color, no smells, no kids, no pets, no spouses, no tv, no household chores, no comfy couches, and no espresso machines. There may be other writers there, but these dedicated professionals haven’t come to bother you. They’ve come to produce. And because you’ve done what it takes to make the necessary sacrifices in order to commit yourself to your writing vocation, you’re sure to produce, too.
TWC’s quiet room is ideal for easily distracted creative types, renaissance souls and other slow learners who find themselves distracted by the fascinating details the world has to offer. Cubicles have been arranged with care, offering the writers the greatest privacy and protection from sensory input. Quiet room rules protect against vibrating cell phones, food chomping, and loud headsets.
For those who seek community the lounge allows for “quiet discussion” and–I love this–a phone that permits outgoing calls only. TWC offers occasional writing workshops, readings, and is open 24/7. If you worked there non-stop without snoring, you could even live there.