Do you need the perfect surroundings to write?
One of the things I really enjoy about writing is the fact you can do it anywhere.
Although I have been tied to the North West of England all my life, I have always thought it was a career that would eventually take me places. Or at least wouldn’t keep me attached to a particular city or town.
I love the idea of being on top of a mountain and being able to write a short story or piece. I regularly have ideas when I am out walking but I am a fool because I never write them down. Note to self… take more paper.
Of course, you need the technology to be able to send off your piece to whomever when it’s done, but that thought is kinda spoiling my perfect view of my profession…
Recently, I have become a little obsessed with the Writers Room section of the Guardian and how ‘fellow’ (ahem) writers and artists shape their craft. Predominately, writer’s rooms are full of books and there is organised chaos all around. The desk is full of papers and more often than not, there are little mementoes of life cluttered around.
I think I became interested in this part of a writer’s armoury when searching for some kind of inspiration. Do surroundings really make a difference in your writing? On my desk at the moment I have a computer, phone, mug, paper and pen. At home, my room is cluttered. At work, I flow with words. At home I struggle sometimes.
But if the writer’s rooms are all cluttered and they produce some of the finest work, then why can’t I do the same? I suppose what I am looking for is an area where I can let the creative juices flow and above all some inspiration as I aim to move a particular project forward. So where do you guys write from and does it make a real difference?
Meanwhile, I have been approached to ghost write another batch of books and I am wondering whether it is best for me. Should I move away from autobiographies and try something else, or should I stick to what I know but balance my time better than the last one? Do I need a ‘correct’ space to create before I think about my next move?
I find biographies quite fun to do, but they are time consuming for very little reward…
Yet am I in a position to be turning down work so early in my career?
Perhaps it`s that sometimes you have too many other things going on in your life Mike that interupts the creative flow?
Enjoy reading your ramblings (if that`s the right word)