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Last month was Camp Nano and truth to tell I struggled a bit. I am of the opinion that I never actually put the editor out of the house. However, I am pleased enough with the mess I created last month that I'm finishing it up for AugNo. All in all, I can't complain.
Where do you write?
This idea was sparked by Unicorn Bell's blog post Where do you write?
Her blog got me thinking about my desk and the year I suffered writer's block.
It all started when my kids bought me a new desk for Christmas several years back. The old one was so rickety they were afraid that it would fall apart if I sneezed. It was pretty bad I must admit. Money was tight and as long as I didn't attempt to move it I was pretty sure it would hold.
It was such a sweet gesture but it caused me grief.
It didn't feel right. I'd sit down to write and everything felt wrong. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I love my little corner. I have a window. I have my story board. It is my own little space that is only invaded by Bob, my cat. There was no denying it, I had writer's block and it started with the new desk. It took me a while to realize the problem. Having the monitor on the right side was throwing me for a loop.
I couldn't get a new desk. This was a gift from my children.
What to do. What to do.
I think I found a satisfactory solution. No?
I thought Bob would hang out on the platform where the monitor is supposed to sit.
However, it seems he's not happy unless he's blocking the screen.
What about you? Do you have a special place where you write?
I have a little corner in my room and funny enough, my desk (table) is not working for me either. I was thinking of painting it. My cat has this really bad habit of blocking my computer screen too, usually by sitting on my keyboard and miraculously finding the delete button. But I like writing in my room. The vibe is just perfect in there.
ReplyDeleteThe delete button? Oh bad, bad kitty!
DeleteMy Nini loves to block my monitor. I have to keep a glass of water for her on my desk or I get in trouble.
ReplyDeleteI like writing at my desk on my PC best, but I also have a netbook and find a change of scenery w/o internet a nice change of pace now and then.
That is awesome that you keep water for your cat. Ya gotta love 'em right?
DeleteStephen King wrote about almost this exact same phenomenon in his book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (great read for aspiring authors, BTW). Anyway, he sai that he, too, received a big, beautiful desk as a gift and found himself doing very, very little writing at it. What ultimately ended up working for him was a crmaped workspace with his kid's mobile hanging over it and books scattered about. His point? Don't try to look like what you think a writer is supposed to look like.
ReplyDeleteI tend to sit on my bed, puppy by my side, laptop on lap and books piled around me. It's messy and it sometimes hurts my back- but it works.
When the kids first got the bull dog. I used to type on my bed just so I could hide from the pup. He loved his Nana and didn't understand I couldn't play ALL the time.
DeleteLOL! My writing place is in my head. I can write anywhere, anytime, any distraction (because I've gotten so good at ignoring all of mine--thank you home schooling), BUT I think the one key element is that I can no longer write by hand.
ReplyDeleteEek, right? I mean, yes I can jot down notes, but for true wordage, I have to be in front of a keyboard.
So very true. I remember when I couldn't write on the computer and now I can't write long hand.
DeleteOh, come on. Every writer knows what you get out is gibberish unless you've conquered the cat obstacle every step of the way. Mine likes to lay where I put my editing/notes. Periodically she thinks it's fun to catch (and eat) my hand.
ReplyDeleteI can see how the space matters, though!
Well of course your cat wants to eat your hand. There you all just wiggling your finges away. You tempted her and she could not resist.
DeleteI have the same cat "problem". Hezekiah and Tallulah just HAVE to be on the desk with me- I just call them my muses.. The only thing is, it is a small Amish wooden oval table, in my bedroom
ReplyDelete. So I get crowded out easily. If I don't have the patience to wait them out, until they want to curl up someplace more comfy, then I go to kitchen table. They follow me, but no problem: plenty of room!
When Funny Face was my 'muse'. She would at least be content to sit on my lap. = )
DeleteOh dear! Hope you find a solution (shut Bob out?!)I write in the kitchen/diner. Not the quietest or most private place!
ReplyDeleteI put the program up as high as I can on the screen and soldier on as best I can. He eventually gets annoyed with me not paying him attention and leaves.
DeleteEvery desk needs a cat, doesn't it? I can see how switching things up can disrupt creativity. I tend to write best at the day job because it's quieter and minus the adorable cats.
ReplyDeleteI have trouble getting into the zone at work. But I do love having my cats and my big dog that thinks he's a cat. Thankfully he's never tried blocking the monitor. ;)
DeleteI write best when I have things as I like them, if people move stuff around it throws me! I think cats are the perfect companion for a writer.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy them. They are content to hide the screen and keep me company. My pup just wants to go for walks.
DeleteBut Mom, you're just sitting there. You really should get up and do something.
I write best in my little office when it's quiet in the house. Yet I can write anywhere if I'm not bothered. Bob is a handsome fellow!
ReplyDeleteI long for the day I can write anywhere. If I have a scene that is oozing from my pours it doesn't matter where I'm at but to just sit and write... I get too easily distracted. I start listening to conversations or people watching.
DeleteIt is so cool that I stumbled across your blog! UnicornBell was started by three writers, myself included, as a critique site.
ReplyDeleteSo glad Charity's post helped you. *thumbs up*
Btw, aren't cats a part of every writer's cross to bear? LOL
They sure are but ya gotta love 'em.
DeleteBTW your book sounds wonderful. I can't wait for the release.
I think it's a grand solution, Jai, and it's obvious that Bob agrees. I miss having my cat sit on my keyboard and my pup resting his head on the bottom of my chair.
ReplyDeleteI recently moved into a very small apartment where I eat at the counter and use the kitchen's eating area as my office. Very convenient if I'm working and in the mood for a snack. :)
VR Barkowski
That does work. I'm afraid I'd always be snacking if I worked in the kitchen.
DeleteGreat solution!! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have a specific writing place in my apartment, but I have a special writing cafe where I pull out my iPod and get my coffee before settling down to write for a few hours. It really helps. :)
I always thought it would be fun to write at a coffee shop but I get too distracted by the people.
DeleteI have a place...in the family room...with all the noise of the hub of the house. :( ...How I WISH I had an office to go hide in!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Lovely cat, however stubborn. LOL
August co-host and IWSG #110
It is my own little corner of the world. I really am at peace there. And yes, Bob is VERY stubborn.
DeleteMaybe if you covered the platform with something cozy, he'd sit on it? Or not. Cats...
ReplyDeleteI just sit on the couch with a laptop on a lap desk, so it's really hard to write a lot of the time. Maybe when my son moves out, I'll take his room over.
I've seen where people put boxes on their desks and the cats sit in them. I think that might make me crazy. But it is worth a try. That or a little donut. That's a great idea.
DeleteYay! I'm glad my post got you thinking. The place really does matter. I've moved twice in the last 10 months and I've not been able to find my new "spot" that works. Hopefully once the kids get back in school.
ReplyDeleteTwice in the last 10 months? Did you marry my ex? ;))) We use to move so much that I stopped unpacking.
DeleteI like having my own little space. Hope you find yours soon.
BTW Your book is up next in the TBR pile. I'm looking forward to reading it.
I don't have a special place where I write, but for a while, my writing was hampered by the couch. I'd sit there to write but instead got comfy and sleepy. The lure of a nap was too much and I'd doze off instead of write. Now I'm in a glider rocking chair and while I can totally nap in this chair, it doesn't lull me to sleep when I'm trying to write.
ReplyDeleteI love rocking chairs and while a glider would be a more smooth motion I don't know if I could type and rock at the same time. I could not not rock.
DeleteMainly I write in my bedroom. I have an old love seat in there and a low table (actually, it's an old pedal sewing machine that my husband cut the guts out of and made into a table for me.) It works well. But I have dreams for a garden loft someday...sigh. About your desk- have you tried paint? Or flowers? Something to make it your own.
ReplyDeleteI had an pedal powered sewing machine years ago. That's cool that your hubbie turned it into a desk.
ReplyDeleteI sit in the kitchen too. I used to be more mobile with my laptop, and sit on the couch to cuddle with my puppy when he napped, but now I'm at a little desk in the kitchen, which is bright and in the middle of everyday life stuff, so it's perfect.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you dealt with the monitor situation! Perfect!