Years ago I remember seeing the
writing room of a famous writer (I can’t remember which author it was now but I
think a sci-fi writer) and he had lots of tchotchkes and knick knacks around his desk and along his shelves—things that
inspired him to write his stories, I imagine.
It got me wondering what writers’
rooms look like these days. During my research I put together a sampling of
pictures and short excerpts of where, how and why writers write where they do.
I could only find a source for writers of the UK ,
but they’re writing spaces are very interesting. I was surprised at some.
Michael Morpurgo: Writes in bed http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jul/04/writers-rooms-michael-morpurgo
Alexander Masters: Also writes in bed. Note alligator
talisman above. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jun/06/writers-room-alexander-masters#
Miranda Seymour :
Writes as a desk in her bedroom.
Nicholas Mosley: Writes in his office. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/may/01/writers-rooms-nicholas-mosley#
Ciaran Carson: Also writes in his office. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/apr/18/writers-room-ciaran-carson#
I know many artists are messy. I
figure those might be the pantsers—little bits and pieces of torn pages from
newspapers or magazines, books, sticky pads and what not—like me like some
people I know.
What does your writing place look
like—messy or neat? Share if you dare.
11 comments:
Love your post and really enjoyed the links to other authors. I don't think I could ever write in bed, but who knows? When we downsized, my hubby and I moved both our computers into our "family room," so I'm not as messy as I was when I had a whole room to myself. But I can accumulate a rather lot of notes, books and papers on my desk when researching something. Fortunately, my hubby has learned not to tidy up the precarious piles.
Love this post, Cora! It's always fascinating to me how other writers arrange their spaces. I feel very validated, because I love to write in bed! It feels so safe. I also do some at my desk. Here are some pictures:
http://alinasayre.blogspot.com/2012/05/confessions-from-home-office.html
But my pictures were taken with my space clean (or as clean as it gets). I'm not brave enough to take first-thing-in-the-morning photos :)
I write either at my desk off the kitchen or in my rocking chair in my bedroom. No one in my household is terribly tidy so everything looks--ahem--lived-in. :D
Right now it's messy because it's not a proper working space. I will get a real office and bookshelves when we renovate. Oh, and a chair for reading. I need that, too.
I've never tried writing in bed, either, but I might give it a go after seeing those writers that do.
You are so brave to share your writing space, in a blog no less. Your piles are horizontal, mine are vertical. ha.
Oh, I understand. I have a lived-in house as well. My dining room table cannot remain clear.
When you get a "real office" it will probably be messy too, sigh--the way of the writer world.
Because of a nagging, old shoulder injury, I have to have my laptop down on my lap so I don't aggravate it further. That means my writing space is generally anywhere I can sit comfortably - my bed, the sofa, a cozy chair. I kind of like the mobility to go where the mood strikes me so it has worked for me so far.
Before I moved back to Texas, I did most of my writing in a papasan chair with my computer on a lap desk. Lately I've been doing some work at a proper desk, but I sometimes I kick back on the bed with the lapdesk.
Thanks Tami and Mike for commenting. When I'm not on the computer, I write by hand, usually in a chair. Never tried writing in bed, but if I got the right pillow support I might try it. I like my back to be straight or I get sleepy and unfocused.
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