Listening to - Adele (again)
Truth? Shut me in a cardboard box and I'd still manage to produce my stories. Because they're all in my head - yes, it's weird in my skull at times. Ask my DB. His favourite question - 'I see you're out here with me but will your brain be joining us?' This is on the days I'm immersed in a story and can't let it go.
Fortunately I do have an office all to myself, and it's the only room in the house that doesn't have the stunning view shown here. It's a zone that from the moment I enter I am a writer and I begin to focus on the current work. But it's also full of books so I can be easy side-tracked. And it's where Boss the dog used to hide when the weed-eater was going. And in mid winter it's a freezing room so I move to the dining room table where the fire is blazing.
Does this mean I can't write anywhere else? No. Thankfully I haven't had to use a cardboard box yet, but here in Marlborough I belong to a group of dedicated writers who regularly have the use of a cottage in the middle of the vineyards. We go for a weekend and write our butts off. Everyone finds they get a lot done because they've gone with the mindset that they're free of family commitments and they're there to work. We also get to talk writing with writers, and eat whatever we want, and of course have a wine together. And yes, we appreciate the setting but don't let it distract us.
As you can see I'm not the tidiest person when I'm working so being out in the office is a plus. And since I live an hour from town and work at home it would be really easy to become a slob. So I put on tidy clothes and go to work. Out the back door, through the garage and into my den - all of ten metres from the lounge. The plus side being the coffee isn't far away.
So where do you write? Or go for your crafts? Or to read?
Tell me and I'll put your name in a draw for a copy of The Dangers of Dating Your Boss.
21 comments:
What a view! But, I agree, views are wasted on writers. I have a view down the length of our stunning garden to the stream. Every day, I usually end up pulling the curtain because the sun shines on my computer screen! Still, the writer's cottage in a Marlborough vineyard sounds interesting (hint, hint) - especially to a quake stressed Christchurch author.
I like to read on the sofa.
Amy, I still make the most of the view. We have every meal we can on the deck. The day we're sick of looking out at our bay is the day we pack up and head back to town.
Reading on the sofa is sooo good. Not that I get a chance very often, someone else is already there.
Gorgeous view, Sue, but I think you're right and that it may be wasted on a writer -- when they're writing that is, at other times I expect it would be quite inspiring. :-)
I call my writing space The Writer's Loft (we have one upstairs bedroom). It does also double as the guest room, but I'm not complaining. It's away from all the noise, and when I enter I immediately hit work mode.
Michelle, I hope you don't have too many visitors then. Isn't it great how we instantly find that workmode. Like we're clicking a button.
Sue - what an awesome view! Very jealous. And I'm loving the trophy sitting there on your desk
I absolutely know the benefits of that vineyard retreat! So lovely to be surrounded by like-minded people. I write in my study (but am still waiting for that 'click into work mode'- I can do 'click into surfing the internet mode' a lot better!). I always do my first read through and edits in the lounge on the sofa....seems to work for me that way.
Louisa, you've got very good eyesight to be able to see the trophy, but I suspect you were searching for it. :)
It's interesting how we all find a way that works for us that then becomes a habit.
Hi Sue - great post and what an equally great writing space you have. And you look very tidy to me :) I love my office space and my view - I live by the ocean and can see my horses from one angle out of my office window, and the Pacific Ocean at another angle. I love looking out the window on those days when my muse wanders. Fab post.
I love to read on my big, old comfy couch. Feet up, cup of tea in hand. My piece of Heaven.
Hi Helen. I made sure DB didn't include all the clutter in the photo! But yes, having a wonderful view always makes me feel good about life.
Marybelle, that sounds like true bliss.
When I broke my tibia in January, my Hero Hubby "remoted" my computer to our lounge-room TV screen so I could still work while my plated leg was stretched out straight on our recliner. Now I'm healed, it's back to the little office but that lounge chair is still so inviting :)
On the deck or my granny swing chair at home by the bush and pool for choice, or if I could go anywhere, the beach does it for me :-) Can't beat those writers' weekends away though - soooo productive - for us and the wine industry! ;-)
Thank you for the pictures of your home. The view is lovely and I would love to browse your bookshelves in your office.
I'm a reader and I read anywhere I can.
Oh, can I please, please, please go to the vineyard retreat??? Sounds magical.
My "office" has been in the middle of the kitchen, rumpus room, and living room for years. But I do a lot of writing in the bedroom. (Not so good for the back, I'm afraid). In the coming month, I'm converting a bedroom into a room of my own! Getting new carpet down, putting up some inspiring pictures, buying a chaise so I can lounge back with my laptop and pink pom-pom slippers while I nibble chocolate and create. (Not really, lol)
Thanks for the gorgeous shot of your view, Sue.
Robbie, who loves Adele too!
Cheryse, I bet that recliner is hard to give up. Hope the leg is working okay now.
So, Clare, you're happy writing anywhere. That's probably makes your writing life easier in one respect. And yes, the weekends away are productive for one and all! :)
Hi Kaylee, don't you think that wherever you read becomes the best place to be at that moment? I love sitting on our deck with a good book in hand, but in bed early in the morning with a cuppa is just as good.
See, Robbie, good writing happens everywhere. It's hard to get your own space when surrounded by family, isn't it? But you certainly seem to have cracked it.
Glad you like the view. I doubt I could live in town after this.
Fabulous view, Sue, and it's nice to see where you work. Nice to know that you had to do some "adjusting" to make sure your office looked respectable in the photo (looking around at mine and thinking that a LOT of "adjustment" would be needed!)
:)
Sharon
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