My desk (& my lovely new PC, which I got today - first 1000 words written!) is in my dining room. But I'm not happy with it. And I can't find any space where I might be happy with it! Plus it's too chuffing small...
Caused me to wonder, where are your writing spaces?
I have a terrible rickety old desk in the corner of my crappy council flat lounge. I have no view except of the next block of flats only a few meters across the way. But I've done my best to surround myself with my favourite things: I have a poster of The Beguiling of Merlin on my wall next to me. My desk is always tidy and clean and has inspirational objects on such as a little statue of Nike and a marble pyramid. My desktop fills up the rest of the desk. Having a desktop is an advantage in that you're not tempted to move anywhere else. I have to sit at my desk. I can't sit anywhere else. It's a good way to be professional and I've written a great deal sitting here. Obviously where I'd like to write is in my custom-built shed with a view of tremendous mountains and no people in sight......
How interesting. I seem to be the odd one out, as I am not nearly as mobile as everyone seems to be.
I read an interview once with Clive Barker, who showed pictures of his writing space. It was a mess! Books were scattered about or sat crooked in dusty book shelves and pictures hung askew on the walls or sat precariously on any flat surface that was nearby.
Strange creatures lounged at the corners of every piece of furniture, immortalized in pottery, plastic, or whatever other material the artist had chosen as the media from which to construct the objects of their nightmares. When asked about the state of his office, Clive stated simply that the chaos was crucial for his writing. Whenever he would find himself at a loss for words, he would simply gaze around his space and something was certain to spark an idea.
My own office is still sparse, but I take my cues from this. I set my small desk in one corner facing the wall and hung shelving over the monitor. On this, I set several possessions that I have kept through the years, each having a life and memories all their own. Pictures of my wife sit to my immediate right, while on the wall above them are hung mementos of my life.
Directly behind my monitor on the wall, there hangs a dark wooden sign on which is written one of my favorite passages which reads as follows:
Go for long walks
Indulge in hot baths
Question your assumptions
Be kind to yourself
Live for the moment
Loosen up
Scream
Curse the world
Count your blessings
Just let go
Just be.
(Author unknown)
The rest of the clutter is critical to the creative process. At least, that is what I tell myself.
I think as long as you are comfortable where you are writing you have your place, it might not always be the same place, but it is that feeling comfortable that helps you tune in, or tune out from the world!. There is a few places where I feel "not at home" writing so it might not be that you a need a one place to write, but that one place where you are is just one of those places that isn't a comfortable location for you.
In my head all that made sense hope it does when it is read