It's My World
A while ago, fellow Nocturne and Bombshell author Michele Hauf asked me to be a "guest author desk" on her blog. I snapped a photo of where I work, and off it went to her via cyberspace.
Today, as I started my day, I thought about my world. I actually thought of titling this entry, "It's My World, Get the F*** Out of It"--but that hardly seems Buddhist, now, does it? But the point is we writers are solitary creatures, usually, and at least for me, I like to create a "space" where I can write and feel creative.
In addition to this desk, I always have music playing. No music means my mind tends to wander a bit. Too much silence. Words in the music means I'm too distracted. (I sound like a pain in a**, don't I?). I usually listen to Django Reinhardt, the king of gypsy swing. Or, rather, the DEAD king of gypsy swing. He is so wonderful, so amazing, all the usual gushing compliments one has for genius. If you want to check him out, try his Djangology CD, or anything from his Paris sesssions. Alternatively, I listen to soundtracks (have the one for Road to Perdition on right now). If am am feeling . . . oh, I don't know, either tired or I have to write a sex scene (and why those two things go hand in hand, I have no idea), I'll listen to Moby. Yeah, some of his stuff has words, but the techno aspect overshadows it.
Other requirements? Coffee. And loads of it. I know I've shared my occasional forays into the benefits of green tea, but it doesn't kick a** like coffee does. A martini is nice in the late evening (sometimes). Um . . . that's about it. My world.
OK, now that I know how to load photos onto my blog (pathetic at all this blog stuff, really, I am), any of my blog pals who would like to share "their world" is welcome to email me a photo of their writing space. Don't forget to let me know what music you listen to. I'll try to post them and a link to your blog. Or just share . . . what's your space like? It's my world . . . but you can come play in it for a little while if you want. :-)
posted by Erica Orloff at 8:47 AM
21 Comments:
Hi Erica,
My space is sort of bare, compared to yours. I have my computer in the middle of the living/dining/kitchen/entertainment area, which has sort of a loft feel to it. Hardwood floors and a fireplace.
I wrote my first novel listening to Elton John's Yellow Brick Road album over and over. Sometimes I listen to classical guitar or Motzart or John Coltrane. I'm not familiar with Django, but I'll check it out now.
Boy, you sure are broadening my horizons, literary and musical.
I am so excited about my future working space! We moved as you know and I'm converting this space right in between the master bath and master BR (the old owner used it as a pseudo-dressing room) into an office!!! I'm so excited! I'm going to totally set it up: L-shaped desk, keyboard tray, drawers for me, drawers for hubby, drawers for joint (household) stuff. File cabinets for writing and research stuff, and a big giant corkboard and whiteboard for stuff. I can hardly wait. When I have it all set up, I'll be sending you a photo!
Hi Jude:
Django is . . . astounding. A gypsy who lost two of his fingers in a fire and taught himself how to play guitar better than an human EVER but with only eight fingers. A gambler, a rogue. A visionary. BUT . . . be forewarned, it has that "older" swing kind of quality, not a Miles Davis "newer jazz" kind of quality. Plenty of melody . . . played a lot with a jazz violinist. LOVE the violin use.
OK . . . I got your photo and will try to upload it for a "guest desk" in a day or so (I think . . . ). Yes, a little spare, there, Jude.
But, therein is the tchotske discussion. You are either a major tchotske person or not. My sister, for instance, has NOTHING on any surface of her house. Very neat. (Shout-out to my sister--waves). I, on the other hand, have CRAP on every available surface. BUT . . . here's the caveat . . . it's all sentimental crap. :-)
E
Hey Miss Karm:
Congrats on the new digs. Hopefully by summer, we will be sort of neighbors--at least an afternoon drive kind of neighbor! The new space sounds great. Very writerly. Make sure you send me a picture.
E
"Yes, a little spare, there, Jude."
Ha! Are you talking about my space, or my head. :)
Yes, I'm more like your sis. A minimalist at heart. I like clean lines and everything in order. I think better that way. It's as if clutter, somehow, invades my brain.
I love to throw stuff away, so don't ever let me in your house. :)
Hey Erica --
I can't write without music, either. Music helps to keep me focused, and it actually channels creativity. Writing and music both have a rhythm to them.
And you should see my desk...Actually, you can't see my desk. Too much clutter!
Louise
Wow. How funny! I had NO IDEA you had written about music and coffee today when I posted my blog entry about...music and coffee! Some kind of connection there. :-)
I need either silence or classical music when I write, otherwise I'm distracted to pieces. And my desk? I have one, but I don't use it as I opt for my comfy chair and ottoman in the family room.
Michele
Jude:
All right . . . I have my stuff on lonck-down. You can't go near it. :-)
E
Michele:
I consider Coke the Nectar of the Gods. But coffee is the only way I get a damn thing done.
E
Caffeine=good, but I'm *sob* saying goodbye to my beloved Diet Pepsi soon. All that sodium is bad for me...er, that's what I keep telling me anyway. :)
If I could find my desk, Erica, I'd SO send you a picture of it. ...it has to be under all this crap somewhere...
Oh Heather . . . you have my condolances. As I said, I periodically go on green tea binges. But COFFEE? Coke???? I go running back, weeping and wailing, take me back, caffeine, take me back!
It's an addiction, I tell ya. We need to attend Caffeine Anonymous or something. ;)
Heather:
I agree. In my case, it's more like I need to actually get some SLEEP. But that's a pipe dream around this crazy house. :-)
E
Mmm...Coke and Dr. Pepper gooooood. Okay, see I'd be on the coffee bandwagon, too, if I didn't need to take a nap after drinking it. Is that sick? It makes me tired...sniff, sniff. :-(
M.
Michele:
Are you an alien?
:-)
E
That would explain a few things! :-)
M.
I gave up caffeine over a year ago and, I have to say, I feel a hundred percent better.
Now if I could only give up that pesky little glue-sniffing habit...
Jude:
Well, the crack is hard to give up, too. ;-)
E
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Michele is definitely an alien. Or maybe she's just ADD. Sometimes caffeine mellows people with ADD. :)
Sleep? That sounds nice. Think I'll go there now!
Heather: Sleep is awesome. I prefer mine during the daytime, though.
As do all creatures of the night.
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