Finding the Right Place to Write
I am always interested in where writers write.
Andy Rooney has talked about his writing place on television and given viewers a "tour" of his desk.
Though I am not Andy Rooney or a famous writer, I have given lots of thought to my writing place.
It has taken me years to get it right.
When I started writing I lived in Rochester, Minnesota and typed at a small metal table near the furnace.
Every time the furnace turned on I lost my concentration.
I also lost my concentration because the typewriter kept breaking.
Despite a large overhead light the area was dark and I typed in my shadow.
Though my first sale to a major publisher came from this place I was glad to leave it.
We moved from this city home to a home in the country.
My writing place was a loft above the living room.
I liked this place at first, but changed my mind.
The space was too open and I was distracted by changing weather.
(When you live in Minnesota you are on constant alert for tornadoes and blizzards.
)Also, the ergonomics of sitting in an antique chair and typing at a roll-top desk were not right.
Clearly, it was time to change my writing place.
We finished off a room in the basement, a room with plenty of cupboards, a built-in desk, a used computer, and a computer chair from a discount store.
For the first time in my life I had a good place to write.
Three more recycling books, two books on addiction, and a history book came from this place.
Then we moved to a suburb of St.
Paul and built a new house.
I bought a new metal work station and set up my office downstairs.
The room smelled new and, best of all, we bought a new computer.
Thanks to this computer my output increased even more.
Here I wrote a meditation book and a sexual harassment book for teens.
I thought I would write more books here, but we moved back to Rochester.
We converted a lower level bedroom into office.
At first, my work station faced a wall.
As you can imagine, looking at a wall wasn't inspiring, so I moved my work station next to the window.
When I look out the window I see oak trees, apple trees, herds of deer, cardinals in flight, jumping squirrels, racing chipmunks and, occasionally, flocks of pheasant.
I see the change of seasons and feel myself changing with them.
My current office has excellent lighting, natural light from the window, over head lights, and a floor lamp.
Other things make my writing place special: a long layout counter, five filing cabinets, and a wall of book shelves.
I hung photos and awards above my computer for inspiration.
Finding the right place to work took years, but I have finally done it.
I write in a happy place.
Copyright 2006 by Harriet Hodgson
Andy Rooney has talked about his writing place on television and given viewers a "tour" of his desk.
Though I am not Andy Rooney or a famous writer, I have given lots of thought to my writing place.
It has taken me years to get it right.
When I started writing I lived in Rochester, Minnesota and typed at a small metal table near the furnace.
Every time the furnace turned on I lost my concentration.
I also lost my concentration because the typewriter kept breaking.
Despite a large overhead light the area was dark and I typed in my shadow.
Though my first sale to a major publisher came from this place I was glad to leave it.
We moved from this city home to a home in the country.
My writing place was a loft above the living room.
I liked this place at first, but changed my mind.
The space was too open and I was distracted by changing weather.
(When you live in Minnesota you are on constant alert for tornadoes and blizzards.
)Also, the ergonomics of sitting in an antique chair and typing at a roll-top desk were not right.
Clearly, it was time to change my writing place.
We finished off a room in the basement, a room with plenty of cupboards, a built-in desk, a used computer, and a computer chair from a discount store.
For the first time in my life I had a good place to write.
Three more recycling books, two books on addiction, and a history book came from this place.
Then we moved to a suburb of St.
Paul and built a new house.
I bought a new metal work station and set up my office downstairs.
The room smelled new and, best of all, we bought a new computer.
Thanks to this computer my output increased even more.
Here I wrote a meditation book and a sexual harassment book for teens.
I thought I would write more books here, but we moved back to Rochester.
We converted a lower level bedroom into office.
At first, my work station faced a wall.
As you can imagine, looking at a wall wasn't inspiring, so I moved my work station next to the window.
When I look out the window I see oak trees, apple trees, herds of deer, cardinals in flight, jumping squirrels, racing chipmunks and, occasionally, flocks of pheasant.
I see the change of seasons and feel myself changing with them.
My current office has excellent lighting, natural light from the window, over head lights, and a floor lamp.
Other things make my writing place special: a long layout counter, five filing cabinets, and a wall of book shelves.
I hung photos and awards above my computer for inspiration.
Finding the right place to work took years, but I have finally done it.
I write in a happy place.
Copyright 2006 by Harriet Hodgson
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