There is a really interesting article in today’s SF Chronicle about where writers write: In A Room with a Muse four California-based writers invite readers into their workspace. The article interviews Anne Lamott, Amy Tan, Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) and his wife, Lisa Brown. There is a photo of each author in his/her workspace, surrounded by what inspires each of them.
I loved this piece, especially because I have read Lamott’s Bird by Bird and was just given a copy of Tan’s The Opposite of Fate by a friend who said I must read it ASAP. To have a visual image of where these women work seems to make the experience of reading their writing memoirs more intimate and personal. Although knowing that Handler writes on a gyno’s table gives me an altogether different intimate vibe…
So I started thinking about my own writing space and what I can do to improve it. Right now it’s tricky for me, as I’m juggling between two locations, both with awfully uncomfortable chairs and bad lighting. But since I’m going to be traveling for much of the next year, why should it matter? It’s hard to know, but there are surely some small things I can do to make my space work for me regardless of where I am, like always having a lined journal and supply of my favorite papermate pen.
How important is a good workspace to producing good work? My guess is that it may depend on where you are at in your writing life. Jen loves her new desk and is diligent about going to the library to work on her book. But I’m nowhere near the book writing phase yet, so a consistant well-defined workspace does not seem as important for me right now.
What do you think? What is most important to you when making decisions about where to write? What is the priority for you? And how do travel writers deal with the extra challenges of establishing a decent workspace while always on the go?
Well, diligent is an exaggeration. But I appreciate the positive thinking and presentation.
I’ve newly moved to Burbank, to an apt that will last a year at the most, so I haven’t created my ideal writing space yet. But that’s because I’ve never had a separate room, or closet of my own yet. But I’ve fantasized about it several times, and lots lately. I am desperately craving this new space. And I will call it my clubhouse, even if it’s the size of a closet.
I have a smattering of travel magazines, Chris Baker’s CUBA CLASSICS book, a stack of my press releases, a stapler, a hairbrush, a pile of receipts, lotion from THE hotel in Vegas, a coffee mug that John brought me from Vilnius with pens in it, a Women Poker Player magazine as my mousepad, and a stack of Laurie Notaro, Susan Orlean, and Suzanne Schlosberg books I’m considering for Jockstrap, my Jockstap mss, a cup of coffee, and my G4 powerbook. I’m next to a window with ugly levelors that look better when they’re open, and a large glass of pretty yellow flowers. Flowers are key for me, they really add some life, and happy feel good energy to the reminder piles of everything still to do, or yet undone.
Now…don’t get me started on my dream room.
Awesome post, Kelly!!!!!
I write at the Flying Saucer Cafe, on Brooklyn’s Atlantic Ave and the staff’s tolerance of me is superhuman. I think my record is six hours. i save the receipts and claim them as office rental expenses on my taxes.
Jen: I like fresh flowers too, and candles at night. Right now the piles on my makeshift desk here in Baltimore need some luv….
Ayun, great idea. I should save receipts from my marathon writing sessions at Panera Bread 🙂
Usually in airplane seats or hotel beds. I write the outline/show notes for my TravelCommons podcast Wednesday and Thursday, record the voice tracks in the bathroom of my hotel on Thursday night, and then do the post-production work in my living room Friday night.