Welcome to Week Three in the Bamboo Shoots: The Care and Feeding of Pandas. Our Pandas are often asked about their writing space in search of ideas that will help them to create an environment that is perfect for their own writing.
As you will see, it's not about the space. It's about carving time in your busy day to write. To start on a big journey, you just have to put one foot in front of the other; writing is much the same...one word right after the other. Do that every day and it won't be long before you too can join the ranks of the Great American Novelist.
Elgon Williams, Pandamoon Author of Fried Windows (In a Light White Sauce), the Becoming Thuperman Trilogy, and The Wolfcat Chronicles
I rent a room from a guy named George Wilson, no jokes about any neighbors having menacing kids named Dennis, please. Renting my room is all part of my cutting expenses to the bone so I can afford to be a full-time writer.
I have a desk, something that I acquired from my son as he no longer needed it once he had graduated from college. It’s large enough to suit my purposes with ample top space for my Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and external monitor. I also use an external, full-sized USB keyboard, which is actually designed for an Apple computer. I have used it since I owned and used Apple computers. Yes, Apple keyboards usually work with PC’s, just that some of the keys may have different functions when using the Windows Operating System. I have used wireless keyboards, but it is frustrating when the batteries begin to fail. So I don’t use one now. My wired keyboard has some quirks dating back from I drank beer while writing and occasionally spilled things on it. The “Z" key, which obviously still works, is problematic. I have to remember to tap it pretty hard. That can cause an issue when writing notes to anyone with a Z in their name, like our publisher, Zara.
I have a Bluetooth wireless mouse. When the batteries die on it, I have a USB mouse that I can plug into the side of my Apple Keyboard if need be (until I replace the batteries). I prefer the wireless mouse because the cord of a USB mouse has always bothered me. I also have a printer/scanner/copier that I hardly ever use (to the extent that the ink dries out between uses). I inherited that from my son as well. Having the scanner is actually more useful for me than the printer.
There are two windows, both are in the corner of my room. One is in front of my desk and the other to the left side. Usually the blinds are closed, but when I open them, especially if the weather is pleasant and there is a nice breeze, I have a wonderful (sarcastic) view of the neighbor’s fence that is not all that inspiring. To the left, through the other window , I can see into the edge of the backyard.
I rent the room from a guy who is older than I am. He is also a writer, though he hasn’t written anything for a number of years. His two publications were both memoirs. He is a fair storyteller, though. He used to live in New Orleans. Since I have friends there and have spent time in the city, we have common places we know, etc. New Orleans figures into the sequel for Fried Windows, so I’m sure some of George’s stories may make it into the book. WARNING If you thought FW was a kid’s book, be advised. The sequel pushes boundaries on many levels, including a supporting character who demands to be called the Oracle of Bourbon Street and High Priestess of the Fourth Ward - the honorable Plush, the Magic Drag Queen. She has an important role in FW2 that ends with Brent possessing a special suit that makes him imperious to most of the harm of traveling between dimensions through portals. Brent will eventually give the suit to Will, the Main Character from Becoming Thuperman. Yes, the books are related in some ways through shared characters and that is why I am writing the sequels concurrently.
I usually listen to music when I write but not always when I revise. It depends. Music inspires me but it can also distract me. So, when I read anything, including my own material, the room is usually quiet. Sometimes I have the TV on in the background. I “watch” some of the “reality TV” things on Discover, History, or Animal Network channels. I occasionally watch the news if I happen to see a breaking story mentioned on Twitter or Facebook. News usually irritates me, though.
Having a dedicated space is important, just as is having a scheduled time to write each day (if at all possible). I’ve found that both help prevent periods of writer’s block. I can and do write other places, like when I dog sit for my son. There I use his dining room table.
Dana Faletti, Pandamoon Author of Beautiful Secret, Nana's Secret, and the Whisper Trilogy
I truly write anywhere and everywhere. I always have my laptop with me in the car so that I can steal time during pickup and drop-off to my daughters’ activities.
I wrote Beautiful Secret between my kitchen counter and Starbucks!
Cheri Champagne, Pandamoon Author of The Mason Siblings Series and The Seductive Spy Series
As a stay-at-home mom of four young children, I don’t have much of a choice in where I write. I have an office in our basement, but ordinarily I work on the couch in our living room where I can keep an eye on my kids. My view usually looks something like this:
And more often than not, something like this happens:
As for the sounds of my writing environment, it’s often filled with laughter, screaming, banging, musical toys, kids’ TV shows, constant chatter, questions, and demands of “Mom, look at this!” For that reason, I have some noise-cancelling headphones that my husband gifted to me last year, that I use whenever I can. It drowns out the whirr of toys and the TV, but I can hear my kids clearly. I swear, the headphones are magic.
One day, however, my kids will all be in school, and then my life as a stay-at-home mom and author will drastically change. I might then be able to have a cup of tea that doesn’t grow cold on the table at my elbow, I’ll be able to write and edit without children climbing on me, asking me questions, or demanding cups of juice, but...I’ll miss them.
Jeff Messick, Pandamoon Author of Knights of the Shield and The Magehunter Saga
I write when life isn’t smacking me in the face and I have my laptop. Couch, propped in bed, Starbucks, Mom’s house, heck, even work when it’s really quiet. All places are writable areas for me. However, unlike Elgon, I can’t seem to have music or anything else playing, I get easily distracted. But general life noises are fine, go figure.
From how I write, I would have to say a dedicated place is not necessary, unless your definition of dedicated space is a mindset that must exist before you can write.
For newer writers, when this subject rears its head, write where you’re the most comfortable. Distractions are the killer here. Put everyone and everything else on “almost” full ignore and work your craft. If you have a comfortable space you feel your writing is the best, go there. If you’re one of those that answers the call of the muse, whenever she chooses to bash you over the head, then anywhere will do.
Laura Ellen Scott, Pandamoon Author of The Juliet and the New Royal Mysteries
Jeff’s right (I’ve said that twice this year, and that’s a little scary)--you should be able to write anywhere. That is, as a real writer, what you imagine can transform any space into a creative one. That said, a dedicated writing space is a luxury that I’ve adapted to very enthusiastically ever since signing with Pandamoon. I seem to have put down roots. My home office is a jumble of oceanic colors, steampunk voodoo tchotchkes, peppermint oil candles.
The main feature is my whiteboard, for managing plots and timelines, and of course the guest bed is where the dogs can keep an eye on me.
I’m pretty notoriously bad at choosing chairs, though. This one seems to be holding up, but I’m skeptical. And yes, potential spoiler on the WB.
I also write--or attempt to write--at our cabin in West Virginia, but there are distractions:
I hope you've enjoyed these glimpses into some of our Pandas. Be sure to come back every Wednesday for another interesting question and answer post.