What's in a Place?

Where do you go to work? Specifically, where do you go to write?

Every writer has his or her own process, and the writing environment is part of it. Reportedly, Maya Angelou owns three homes but maintains a hotel room where she goes daily to do her writing. Leo Tolstoy was rumored to lock himself away in his study while working and not come out for days or more. Zadie Smith has been heard to say that one's writing computer should not have access to the Internet (I agree! Look up words later!), which can certainly be an unseen, mental component of one's environment.

On the other hand, some research studies have suggested that a little bit of ambient noise actually fosters creativity (particularly for people who are already highly creative), so I imagine there are many writers (J.K. Rowling comes to mind as a famous example) who may do much of their writing in cafes. If you're interested in reading about that research, a shorter description is here, and a longer one is here.

Personally, I need complete silence to write. It's hard enough immersing my mind in the fictional world I am creating, especially if my environment doesn't match what I'm writing at the time (such as writing about a bitter winter in the middle of a breezeless summer), blocking out extraneous noises would require too much mental effort. At least I can comfort myself with the tidbit that Virginia Woolf herself was constantly getting distracted by the noises in her environment! I always write on my computer (longhand would be far too slow for me), and an uncluttered, unadorned space is best for my concentration. I find sitting becomes uncomfortable after several hours, so I also try changing positions when I can.

If I can dream, I believe that a secluded spot outdoors, perhaps in the forest, would probably be my dream location for writing (perhaps I'm channeling Emerson or Thoreau! I wish, right?), but having no access to such a working space, I have to content myself with writing late at night at home, when the world is (relatively) silent. I'm sure my electric company just loves the energy I burn night after night!

For fun, take a look at some images of famous writers' writing sanctuaries: here, here, and for some more contemporary writers, here. Are you jealous of those beautiful book-filled wooden studies or what? There are some other great examples here.

Ren D.