My sister, “Nicki Elson,” invited me to join a blog hop with her fellow authors. While surely a combination of her kindness and shared DNA compelled her to assure I qualified for having one whole big giant short story pending publication (at a date which seems to have been pushed back to infinity and beyond), I am too shy to join their ranks.
And just as I am beneath them, I am not above ripping off their theme anyway ;). I encourage you, though, to check out Nicki’s post, “Where Do You Write?” and meet the other authors-in-crime listed in the blog hop to discover some fun new reads or join in if you’ve got the published goods yourself (or are contracted to).
So then, on to where I write. Well, the zookeeper is being uncooperative and not allowing cameras inside the cage, so while I’d like to share images of my tree branch and vintage typewriter that my trainer sneaks in for me at night, my human alter-ego has been so kind as to provide me hers…she will narrate from here on:
So there it is. Squished into the second bedroom of a typically gargantuan, so-much-space-I-don’t-know-what-to-do-with-it London flat. And in two nights, I’ll be able to officially post a sign above that bed that the great author Nicki Elson was squished in here, too—because my sissy’s coming to London!!! AHHH!!! Psyched.
As we continue the tour, note that the water glass to the left is conveniently interchangeable with a glass of red wine, as such swapping happens with great frequency. The desktop image is a photo from Cabo San Lucas from years ago that helps me escape my grey UK days. Beneath the monitor is a clock depicting the world map, which my parents gave as a reminder of what time it is in Chicago…awww. And beneath the monkeys are books that helped inform my first
novel manuscript, along with my brainstorming journal and the Room to Write book of writing prompts that I only occasionally dust off these days now that I’ve found other things to yammer about.
Now about those monkeys. To be honest, when I first created the Fallen Monkey profile, I did not, nor did I ever…actually…own…a sock monkey. Truth. Now *shame*. Thus, my sister gifted me the one on the right a year ago, and me mum delivered its fickle and very green (as in color, not environmentally-conscious—that chimp could care less) mistress. The husband then wooed me with the 2011 sock monkey calendar, which as yet has nowhere to hang as a proper primate ought.
Such as in a tree…Compare/contrast the original view out the window that would inspire me to write, as opposed to after the branch-carnage ensued. At least I still have a perdy church to look at.
And now to give a nod to the second writing space used when I’m motivated to travel as far as the next room…
Netbook-n-me will hang occasionally on the frumpy but oh-so comfy sofa. While any writing done here is usually on my daily London blog for work, I must acknowledge that about 10,000 words of my manuscript were drafted with that wee keyboard in a surreal burst of inspiration whilst reclining here. It’s the one portion I consider to require the least revision, too, so I don’t know what Victorian spirit must’ve been lounging there to whisper it to me :).
So this leaves me ever-so curious—Where do YOU write?!
The Fallen Monkey 
January 31st, 2011 at 22:23
Aw, I love that post and enjoyed having a peak into your pad a lot! Enjoy your time with your sister – am sure you’re going to have a ball.
Myself I am still missing that one spot to write, so it’s mainly switching between kitchen table and my ever-cluttered desk in my co-working space. But that’s all going to change – I am going to pimp my office … in Munich. Hope to being able to air some more candid views then. 😉
And did I EVER mention that I LOVE sock monkeys and stuffed animals of all kinds? This one’s going to stick to you, dear! 😉
February 2nd, 2011 at 19:03
Wow, it was a close one for my sis–a massive portion of the States just got hit with a record-breaking snowstorm, but she luckily exercised foresight and got her flight changed to a day earlier! We’re already having much fun and feeling so lucky.
Cannot wait to see the pimped-out Munich office—I see fur walls and a disco ball.
Aw, a fellow stuffed-animal kindred spirit. I grew up surrounded by pandas. Dolls creeped me out 🙂
January 31st, 2011 at 23:11
nice space – even the treeless view looks nice
February 2nd, 2011 at 19:04
Thank you! For as much as I whinged and cried (yes, there was tear-shed) when those branches were hacked off, one could do worse than a beautiful steeple :).
February 2nd, 2011 at 00:58
What a cool glimpse into the physical side of your writing process! But that poor tree…
I sit on the floor (weird, I know) and write with a ballpoint pen and composition book when the story is longer than a piece of flash. For 1,000 words or fewer, I type it straight onto my notebook computer. No view to speak of, but plenty of music!
February 2nd, 2011 at 19:07
Those trees were chopped in their prime—it was mid-July, and they were full and green and leafy and pretty. I remember my last morning with them—the leaves were bobbing in the wind, which made it look like they were waving goodbye 😦
I applaud writing by hand (and on the floor, for that matter. Hey, whatever works, right?!)–I dash out notes and miscellaneous scenes that way, but haven’t tried anything longer. Wondering if I should try this next time around…
February 3rd, 2011 at 08:13
Sorry for pushing myself into this thread, but am totally with Milo on the handwriting. After my humongous writer’s block that was 2010, returning to handwriting was the best decision to make to get things going again. Find it is the most rewarding and inspiring way to write (all your notes stay, while I tended to go for the perfect line on the comp), to me anyway. I know everybody works differently, but I would say it is definitely worth a try.
February 5th, 2011 at 12:47
I think you and Milo are succeeding in compelling me to handwrite. The idea of it alone sounds delicious and will hopefully spare me some carpal tunnel 🙂
February 3rd, 2011 at 18:12
I adore that couch! It looks so cozy and inviting! Is there a fireplace nearby? That would then be my ideal spot
February 5th, 2011 at 12:46
Sadly, not a functioning fireplace—just the existing nook where there was once one in Victorian times. We just keep our booze in it 🙂
February 14th, 2011 at 16:30
Aww…my room! So lovely. And I think inspirational. Now, maybe I’m just sentimental and it’s because I saw the trees chopped, but—I like being able to see the church & school yard more fully! I really do. Of course, I won’t complain if I have to look at leafy trees on my next visit. 😉
So sweet that Ryan gave you a sock monkey calendar!
February 15th, 2011 at 10:20
Your room misses you…as do the monkeys. 😦
“Next visit” is just what I like to hear! And never fear, am pretty sure the trees will still look like elaborate houseplant stands at that time, too.
February 18th, 2011 at 15:45
Fantastic writing space! 🙂
I had no idea Nicki was your sister! I follow her blog!
February 18th, 2011 at 18:15
Hi there! Small, amazing world…Nicki/Bev and I were even perusing your 24 Hours: London book when she visited this month :). And I edit now for her publisher, and another author had recommended your blog in a mass email thread as a highly recommended follow—I proudly wrote back, “I know her!!”