Thursday, March 20, 2008
A Desk of One's Own
The blessings of a laptop are that I can move all over the house with my work of crap, er, art. I’ve written at the dining room table, on the floor in the family room, and on my bed. I’ve written lounging and sitting up straight. There was even a stretch of time in the fall, after having to drive my kid around in the car to take a nap (he had a stuffy nose and was very sad), that I sat in the car with my laptop, writing in my driveway. I didn’t want to move him because he needed his sleep and I needed some face time with my WIP.
Back before I started devoting vast amount of time to my novel, I had visions of myself writing at coffee shops, vanilla-mochachino-expresso-latte-partskim-partwhole with extra chocolate sauce and extra caramel sauce, whipped cream and sprinkles in hand, my librarian glasses on, paperwork strewn about, looking all the world like a serious writer.
A far cry from the vision of me sitting in the front seat of my Jetta, the seat back as far as I could get it to go without actually sitting in the backseat, the laptop screen pressed to the steering wheel, trying not to type too heavily so I didn’t wake the booger-covered, cranky baby passed out cold in his car seat, huh?
The reality has definitely proven to be way less glamorous than I’d expected. Nowhere in my writing fantasies was I holding a baby on one hip, the laptop propped on the kitchen counter while I typed with one hand, trying to write the paragraph that sounded SO perfect in my head before it was lost to eternity and replaced by verses of “The Wheels on the Bus.”
This weekend, I was thinking of setting up a desk to keep all my writing stuff organized (ha). I initially disregarded this idea because I figured it wouldn’t work out for me unless there was some sort of super amazing toy attached that would distract my super attention dysfunctional child long enough for me to sit at said desk and produce any actual writing.
But, after further thought, I realized that I wasn’t bitter about not having a desk or a “spot” to write. I doubt, even if I had one, that I would use it. I like to flit about, writing where the mood strikes me in the house. I think that’s why I like the idea of writing at a coffee shop. It’s a fresh, creative place.
What about you? What conditions do you write under? Do you like silence or chaos? Anyone have a desk and not use it? Anyone not have a desk and wish they had one? And finally, what conditions do you think would make you a better writer?
And, a special thanks to Pamela Clare for stopping by to play on the ship yesterday! If you missed the conversation, give it a read below. It's worth the 120 comments!
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38 comments:
Blogger hates me. It took forever to get this up. Sorry all....
Hey, no problem! Blogger goes through spells of hating on us all!
Though, it might be due to the activity yesterday. My bad. LOL
I'm much like you. I could never write in one place every time. I like the freedom of my laptop. And if I want to go write somewhere else, I just pick up the laptop and flash drive and move. But for me, that's what an iPod was for (other than the running on the treadmill, blah). I write in the living room, most of the time, because I've been told that I'm very neglectful when I'm in the zone.
As I've said a million times, "I'm in the zone. What do you expect? ME to carry on a conversation about world domination? Politics? How to fix the sink?"
I write in bed with my laptop on a lapdesk, but I would like a little desk and to be set up to type somewhere. Sitting upright and typing is actually more productive for me. Actually sitting in the living room chair with the lapdesk and laptop has produced more pages than I've managed in bed.
I like typing at our library too. Lots of desks to sit at; places to plug in; and QUIET. Except for the child next to me who's turning the pages too loudly (YES, I've actually thought that.)
I have a lapdesk as well. Love that thing. Dunno what I did without it before. And to think, I almost didn't buy it!
The library. Quiet? Lord, I must go at the wrong times!
*droll look at Sin* The last time you were there, I was with you, screaming at you to fill out a storyboard. You can't reference that time!
And it depends where in the library you sit. I hide in the very back dark area of the library, far away from the people.
I have a desk in my room where my laptop pretty much stays because I don't have wireless. I know I do not need internet to write, but it drives me crazy everytime I want to look up a word in the thesaurus or want to google an image of something and remember I can't. I HAVE to get wireless.
For some reason, I feel no inspiration at my desk. I don't think I've written hardly anything there. My short story was pretty much written in my livingroom.
I really want to try writing Panera or something. That's my plan for the summer. I won't have to worry about kiddo since she's gone all summer.
And I do have a balcony where I'd like to try writing as well. Right now I'd do anything to find a place with the right chi or whatever the heck I need to pull some words out of somewhere.
I don't know how I go into the zone. It's like I log into my brain and put my fingers on the keyboard. Most of the time I haven't a clue what I just wrote. That's just scary.
That explains it. I'm too uptight and wired to zero in on anything that much. It's like my brain is on permanent multi-tasking mode.
This is why I fool myself into thinking someday I'll be able to concentrate on one thing. I'm a multi-tasking, optimistic, procrastinator. LOL!
Sin - I don't mind Blogger hating on us because we had a wonderful day yesterday. I think Blogger might just be a tad bit jealous of all our fun. *spiteful hater*
I think I've had similar conversations. LOL! I think my zone isn't super deep though; I get distracted pretty easy.
Cap'n - I don't have a lapdesk, but I've been considering. Sometimes my laptop makes my lap toasty.
And I love the dark corners of libraries. I used to hide in the library to read during college. I was one of those obnoxious people who would shush loudmouths. LOL!!
Ter - Wireless is the bomb. I couldn't survive without it. Though the Lan card in my new laptop is really annoying. It takes like ten minutes for it to find our network router.
And I'm sure you've got a muse and a zone. Maybe they're just trying to give you some quiet to write right now....
Sin - I believe those are characteristics of multiple personalities. LOL!!
Ter - I think I said before that you're too efficient to let some measly muse have any control over your writing.
Lord, now you're telling me I'm crazy? We've known this for years!
And have you noticed we're the only ones playing this morning? Everyone must be trying to sleep off the rum coma from yesterday.
You need a laptop cooler. I think they are 20 bucks. You plug it into your laptop, put it underneath it and the fans cool it off so it doesn't overheat and fry your motherboard and processor.
I need one of those cooler things too. Been telling myself to buy one for months, but never get around to it. I have to put a pillow on my lap if I write in the livingroom because that thing gets hot as hell.
Aren't we all pretty much nuts? I mean, we spend all our time on a pirate ship. LOL!
Sin, the whole zone with the fingers on the keyboard thing is a court reporter mystery as well. I swear the first time it happened to me I about had a heart attack. There I was in the middle of a trial and I suddenly realized I was making up my grocery list in my head. I swear if someone had stopped me right that second and asked what the trial was about, I wouldn’t have had a clue. Well, when I came to my senses I stumbled over the next few sentences I was writing. We finished the trial, and I hurriedly flipped back through my notes looking for “eggs, milk, baby oil, strawberries, chocolate syrup…” You know all the fun stuff. It wasn’t there. I’d taken down the whole trial and didn’t remember writing a word of it. Often over the last 19 years I’ve come out of the courtroom and had someone say what was your trial about. It still amazes me sometimes when I have to stop and go, hmmmm, Oh Yeah, I remember now. The brain is an amazing and frightening thing. I can’t say I’ve ever had it happen while I was creating a story, though.
I have a desk I do not use. I have two desks actually. I rarely use either. I remember as a kid growing up my brother and I, when we were in trouble, would always start each sentence to my dad, “But I thought…” My dad’s standard reply when he was angry was always, “You thought? You thought? How the hell could you be thinking anything when you’re sitting on your brains?” About 10 months ago when I started writing my first FF story every time I’d lay down on my bed my muse would go crazy and inspiration would strike. I started sleeping with a pen and notebook next to the bed and a pen and notebook in the bathroom. It didn’t matter if it was nighttime or I was lucky enough to catch an afternoon nap on the weekends. The minute I’d lie down, ideas would come flying at me from all directions for my FF stories and for my WIP. I’ve done most of my best writing lying on that bed. And occasionally sitting on the side of my bathtub in the middle of the night with the light on and the door closed and the DH sleeping.
Then one day it occurred to me. All those years my dad was right. I must be sitting on my brains. Because every time I lie down and take the pressure off my butt, my brain kicks in and pops out all of my best ideas. I guess it’s true that father really does know best.
And still my desks are mostly unused. If I could think of any condition that might make me a better writer, I guess it would be the same as a lot of writers, the ability to stay home and write whenever I want. I’m a court reporter, so I work all day and then bring typing home with me at night. When your job is to type every word you hear, exactly as you hear it, and transcribe the same, it leaves absolutely no room for creative thought. It’s often difficult then to switch from that role into opening your mind up to imagination and creativity. Because of this, it’s very difficult to find time to let myself write what I want to write. And I definitely write better when not surrounded by chaos. Chaos I do eight to nine hours a day. When I want to write, I want quiet. The better to hear what the voices in my head are saying to each other.
I have my own office and I love my set up- but I only write in there about 50% of the time. The rest of the time the laptop and I wander. For some reason, at times I write best in public- coffee shops, the library, a restaurant etc. Basically- as long as I'm writing I'm happy.
Looks like Linda is in the quiet room with me. *LOL*
Eileen! Hello! Look another wanderer...and hey, the coffee house worked for J.K. Rowling. No one can doubt her success at using public places. Sometimes you have to have a noisy place so you can "tune it out" and concentrate.
Plus you never know if someone might do something worth observing and writing into your novel.
Sin - It's ok about the craziness. I talk to myself. A bit of craziness makes us more interesting.
And I want a laptop cooler! I had no idea such a thing existed! Further evidence that I'm completely out of the loop on pretty much everything.
Linda - That's hilarious about the brains in the tush! And I sleep with a notebook and pen by my bed too! Not that I get phenomenal ideas at night, but because sometimes the thoughts that do arrive at night have to go somewhere or they won't let me go to sleep. LOL!!
Eileen - Ah, the writer and the wandering laptop... That sounds like a romance novel if I've ever heard one....
I'm glad there are other people out there who don't use a desk. Makes me feel more normal.
Sometimes I need quiet and sometimes I need noise. It depends on my mood. That's why sometimes I hide with my laptop and sometimes I hang out with the chaos in my house. LOL!
I can work anywhere as long as it's quiet. I don't do music or tv while I'm writing, although it's hard to ignore the five year old pulling on my leg every five minutes.
Oh crap! This thing ate my comment. Suffice to say: I write in lots of places. The bed, the couch, the car, on an airplane, outside in a lawn chair, but never ever ever at my own desk*g*
I write on an alpha smart. It's great because the LCD screen is so small that I can't look back to mentally edit as I go.
*fingers crossed this goes out this time*
Linda :) I interned at the circuit court. I wanted to be a court reporter. I have the speed, but my mind tends to wander. And now, I'd rather use my speed for book writing. LOL
I'm sure you've seen some interesting things throughout your years! I know I did in just six months!
Marn- they have them at Target and any electronics store. Usually with all the rest of the laptop stuff. I got mine at Best Buy. It lights up blue when it's on. It's rather pretty. LOL And they aren't loud at all. You'd never know it was on if there wasn't a light.
Kelly - Something that makes you not edit as you go? Sign me up!!! LOL!!
Kris - I think it's funny how a kid will completely disregard you when you are trying to pay attention to them and the second you aren't giving them your undivided attention, they are there whining to be the center of your attention again. Is it something in human chemical make up?
Sin - I'll be at Target this weekend to get one. :)
In truth, I tend to be all over the place when writing. I can even be spouting off “conversations” into a mini-recorder while driving down the road. I bought a $30 recorder after getting frustrated by ideas popping into my head while driving. By the time I’d get where I was going I was lucky if I could remember everything.
When it comes time to type it all up, I’m usually on my bed or at my kitchen table. Two desks in the house, and I still plop the laptop on the kitchen table. Maybe it’s because my kitchen is so open with lots of sunlight coming in. (sigh) Okay, probably it’s because it’s closer to the snacks and the Pepsi.
mshellion - So now I’ll spend my time in the quiet room with you. That’s much better than the padded room someone else this week suggested for me. Don’t worry, you’re safe. I’m not really crazy!
Sin - Yes, after 19 years I admit I have seen a lot of interesting things. And people. Even several bounty hunters. I’m still waiting for “that” bounty hunter to walk through the door, though. And I admit after this many years my mind tends to wander also. I’ve tried to come up with a new trick. Whenever I feel my mind start to wander I picture my childhood when my mom would do the, “Linda Marie, pay attention!” Sometimes it snaps me out of it. Sometimes I mentally stick out my tongue behind her back and keep daydreaming. At this rate there are days when I wonder how I’m going to manage 11 more years. And it’s gotten worse since I started taking my writing more seriously. Now I find myself dreading the time I spend in the courtroom and typing on transcripts at home when I’d rather be writing.
Oh, and thanks for the tip on the laptop cooler. My laptop belongs to the county, but I started having problems with it shutting down on me in the middle of a document when it would get hot. I’m going to have to go shopping this weekend and look for one. BTW - I see a pattern here lol. That’s two shopping trips in two days of conversing with you on here; one for books and now one for laptop equipment.
Linda, don't worry, I'm not really crazy either. No one believes me, of course.
Linda - We pirates are not professing you spend all your money on writerly related items. Though, I can't think of more noble things to spend your money on.
Marnee - I was just joking. My husband swears I spend enough on books a year to feed a third world country. I'm grateful for the tips on both Pamela and the cooler. It's so frustrating to have my comp go down mid-document. And finding a new and interesting author to read is like hitting the jackpot for me. I can't think of a better way to spend my money than on things that feed my need to read and write.
Linda - I was joking too. LOL! But, my husband says something very similar! Then he grumbles about how they take up so much space. I tell him I could take up a different hobby, like doll collecting. He usually shut up then.
I have a desk where I do all of my writing. About six months ago I bought a laptop. I had high expectations for my writing life with that laptop. I have tried to write on my laptop, and *prepare to give me an eye roll* the keys are too close together and it ruins my whole writing mojo. Also I find I park myself in front of the TV with the laptop and I don't write, I watch TV.
I like my desk because it's where I discovered I can write, and this may sound sappy but it's sentimental to me. I'm like Linus with his blanket, my desk is my security zone.
Marnee - My husband grumbled so much about the number of books around our five bedroom house that to date my parents have brought me one large and two medium bookshelves to go with the ones I already had. They swear they get sick of hearing him. I usually just ignore him. But I admit he does grumble less now. I think he finally got the point that my parents were tired of him complaining about it. He once demanded that I "throw away" some of my books. The scene that ensued was too frightening to share. I'm trying to assure mshellion that I'm really not crazy. Although after he attempted to throw away some of my books, I think I did have few moments of temporary insanity. Fortunately neither one of us are violent people or it could have really been ugly.
Throw them away? *blinks in astonishment* And he's still breathing?
Another reason I'm happy to be single. Whew!
terrio - Can you believe that? "Throw them away." Not give them away or donate them, just throw them away. Now you understand why it's a good thing I'm not a violent person. Though I have to admit, it was a close call that day! I should point out, he's never "suggested" that option again.
It's very good for him you're not of a violent nature. Because if that was me, he'd be missing a couple of things that make it possible for him to function and I'm not talking about his legs. LOL!
I didn't have as many books when I was married as I do now. But if I ever marry again, he'll have to understand the books are part of the package as much as the child is. *g*
No zone for me, either. I have a laptop so I take it to Starbucks or Panera. This usually works unless stanger-than-usual people are there and I'm drawn into their worlds. I'd write more at home but I end up doing a dozen other things.
I'd love my own office. Only me and the computer in it....and my beloved books, of course.
Lisa - it's ok there, Linus! I totally understand the sentimentality. I can get like that with stuff too... Don't ask my husband about the boxes of sentimental crap we have in our garage....
Linda - THROW AWAY BOOKS!! Oh, the injustice!! I can't even imagine. I'm glad you set him to rights. Non-book lovers, who can understand their bizarre thinking patterns?
Santa - Another laptop wanderer. Yay! I have to try out this coffee shop writing though. What an interesting sociology experiment.
I am going to write about desks at some point on my Romantic Inks Sunday slot. I found the neatest site from NaNo where people posted their workspaces---holy cow is all I can say. Some desks look like a tornado's hit, others have cutesy little bunnies, some are bare, etc. I don't have a laptop and have recently reorganized my desk---so to speak. When I take care of my granddaughter Sadie I type w/ one hand--no caps. Fun.
Maggie - I would love to see that Nano site! I missed that! How funny! And no caps, always a productive way to type, huh? LOL!
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