Merlin’s weekly podcast with Dan Benjamin. We talk about creativity, independence, and making things you love.
Merlin’s weekly podcast with Dan Benjamin. We talk about creativity, independence, and making things you love.
”What’s 43 Folders?”
43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.
A Question for Writers
pooks | Mar 2 2006
Do you have a writing space? A home office? A desk? A particular chair? Do you share it? If you do, does that cause any problems for you? What do you consider necessary to have around you when you're writing? Bare minimum, and then, what do you actually have? I'm asking for several reasons. But for starters, I'm putting together a handout for a class I teach, a handout that tells them that if they want to write, they need to carve out a space (time and/or place) for writing and make it happen, not just think about it. When I first started writing we didn't have any place for me to put a desk, much less an office, so I had to physically find a place to put a very small table, put a dictionary, etc. on it. It could also be the opposite problem. Maybe you have a home office and it's filled with everything you need for all sorts of projects, jobs, etc. Do you have some specific items there because you're a writer, or do your writing tools just blend in with everything else? Do you think it's important to claim a space, or am I making too big a deal out of it? (I'm assuming a lot of people just keep pushing their dreams aside to some vague future when they Have More Time For Such Nonsense, and I try to snap them out of that. If they've signed up to take a class, you'd assume they're making it a priority, but many are still too embarrassed or hesitant to really think of themselves as writers or make any claims on time or space, because they feel rather silly.) (I know I sure did.) Thanks! 27 Comments
POSTED IN:
I wrote four published novels...Submitted by sonia_simone on March 2, 2006 - 3:33pm.
I wrote four published novels in what was essentially a glorified closet with no door (unless you count the one balanced on two file drawers that served as a desk). IMO, you need something to write with and someplace you can find some quiet. A paper notebook and the library will work just fine. (I know professional novelists who write their entire books out longhand. The very idea makes my wrists scream, but that's me.) More important than specific space or equipment, imo, is carving out uninterrupted time and solitude. A fantastic office does you no good if your kids/spouse/friends/dog are constantly coming in to pester you. » POSTED IN:
|
|
EXPLORE 43Folders | THE GOOD STUFF |