What do you consider a perfect writing space? - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T06:47:23Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:123414?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A123942&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThis office just needs a slid…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-13:537324:Comment:1876892009-03-13T03:18:03.452ZKaryn J. Powershttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/karyning
This office just needs a sliding window connecting to an adjacent coffee shop and pizza parlor. Ahhhhh
This office just needs a sliding window connecting to an adjacent coffee shop and pizza parlor. Ahhhhh The penthouse approach is my…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-13:537324:Comment:1876862009-03-13T03:16:33.882ZBenjamin Sobieckhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BenjaminSobieck
The penthouse approach is my ideal, too, although it is a bit (make that a big bit) out of my budget. If it must have a view, I'll go with a tree fort, so long as it's waterproof and I can run an extension cord out.<br />
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Until that gets built, I'm much like you. I wander from this spot to the next. Sometimes it's the living room floor, others it's the dining room table. One thing is for certain: a laptop is a must. It can satisfy wanderlust and writer's itch at the same time.
The penthouse approach is my ideal, too, although it is a bit (make that a big bit) out of my budget. If it must have a view, I'll go with a tree fort, so long as it's waterproof and I can run an extension cord out.<br />
<br />
Until that gets built, I'm much like you. I wander from this spot to the next. Sometimes it's the living room floor, others it's the dining room table. One thing is for certain: a laptop is a must. It can satisfy wanderlust and writer's itch at the same time. Ocean Drive, South Beach, Mia…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-13:537324:Comment:1876562009-03-13T00:12:11.035ZBobhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Bob24
Ocean Drive, South Beach, Miami, Florida. On the patio overlooking the ocean. Ocean Drive has a life of it's own, bumper to bumper traffic till 3:00 AM, the sound of the surf drifting in, between the pounding of the music and buzz of the crowd. An ocean of humanity passes between that vantage point and the ocean beyond.<br />
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I've been there. I can't afford to stay there.
Ocean Drive, South Beach, Miami, Florida. On the patio overlooking the ocean. Ocean Drive has a life of it's own, bumper to bumper traffic till 3:00 AM, the sound of the surf drifting in, between the pounding of the music and buzz of the crowd. An ocean of humanity passes between that vantage point and the ocean beyond.<br />
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I've been there. I can't afford to stay there. Synchronicity...! I've just b…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-12:537324:Comment:1874952009-03-12T06:47:55.255ZminervaKhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/minervakoenig
Synchronicity...! I've just been pondering this exact question, because I can't seem to settle on one place to write (although I've managed to finish several drafts of my novel, so it's not as if I haven't been able to get anything done). I work variously in my home office, which is our second bedroom, on the desktop computer I'm using now; on my laptop on the sofa in the living room; on my laptop on the screened porch; on my laptop at various coffeehouses. None seem to be entirely…
Synchronicity...! I've just been pondering this exact question, because I can't seem to settle on one place to write (although I've managed to finish several drafts of my novel, so it's not as if I haven't been able to get anything done). I work variously in my home office, which is our second bedroom, on the desktop computer I'm using now; on my laptop on the sofa in the living room; on my laptop on the screened porch; on my laptop at various coffeehouses. None seem to be entirely satisfactory. I guess I've gotten the most work done here in the office on the desktop, but I'm easily distracted by the internet. On the sofa, I'm too likely to turn on the TV, at which point any kind of writing becomes impossible. The screened porch is pretty good as long as the weather cooperates, but I need a more comfortable chair out there. Coffeehouses are also fun, but I don't get much done there because they're too noisy.<br />
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I fantasize that the perfect place would be something like my office but higher up, with a view. I often crave having a high-up view to stare at while I work out some thought or other. A garret would be perfect. A slab of broken door spread…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-10-01:537324:Comment:1616992008-10-01T23:19:49.961ZNick Lawlesshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/nickmor71
A slab of broken door spread across my lap, broken pencils, and nothing but old napkins and the backs of paper plates to write on. And my lucky coffee cup from Murder Ink, NY... filled with the dregs of a cold pot of grind. The more suffering, the better!<br />
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P.S. I wrote this on my laptop while nestled in my Homer Simpson ass groove on the living room couch.
A slab of broken door spread across my lap, broken pencils, and nothing but old napkins and the backs of paper plates to write on. And my lucky coffee cup from Murder Ink, NY... filled with the dregs of a cold pot of grind. The more suffering, the better!<br />
<br />
P.S. I wrote this on my laptop while nestled in my Homer Simpson ass groove on the living room couch. LOL. My actual writing space…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-30:537324:Comment:1615732008-09-30T07:40:22.067ZMari Sloanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Mari
LOL. My actual writing space isn't very far off from my optimum one. I live in a studio apartment with an ADD husband and a hyperactive Maine Coon cat. It's one room and we all pace sometimes. The kitchen is six steps away from my desk. The up side? When I'm not trying to ignore my sweet man chattering about operating systems, or the cat yowling for attention, or the TV going, or my sweet man singing at the top of his lungs along with Freddie and the Dreamers to UTube on the computer, I can…
LOL. My actual writing space isn't very far off from my optimum one. I live in a studio apartment with an ADD husband and a hyperactive Maine Coon cat. It's one room and we all pace sometimes. The kitchen is six steps away from my desk. The up side? When I'm not trying to ignore my sweet man chattering about operating systems, or the cat yowling for attention, or the TV going, or my sweet man singing at the top of his lungs along with Freddie and the Dreamers to UTube on the computer, I can read my manuscripts out loud to him and get feedback. No matter what he is doing, he always stops to listen. Never mind, I already HAVE my best writing space. :-) Whenever I get truely "stuck"…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-30:537324:Comment:1615702008-09-30T06:41:42.017ZBillibatthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Billibatt
Whenever I get truely "stuck" I go for a brisk walk. Then sit at the computer desk and plow through.
Whenever I get truely "stuck" I go for a brisk walk. Then sit at the computer desk and plow through. It's like what Trippple A say…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-27:537324:Comment:1612482008-09-27T14:37:12.957Zrobert walkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/robertwalker
It's like what Trippple A says about driving across country. You need to take frequemt breaks, stretch, and guess what, it even helps with the subconsicous and gets you back on track of the storyline when you go off and do some gardening, hosing down the dog, even a shower for oneself. When you are working on a story, often times, the moment you relax (not necessarily with food), you are subconsciously working out a problem and not even knowing you're onto it's solution. Besides, despite what…
It's like what Trippple A says about driving across country. You need to take frequemt breaks, stretch, and guess what, it even helps with the subconsicous and gets you back on track of the storyline when you go off and do some gardening, hosing down the dog, even a shower for oneself. When you are working on a story, often times, the moment you relax (not necessarily with food), you are subconsciously working out a problem and not even knowing you're onto it's solution. Besides, despite what some folks say, and I have been taken to task by none other than Laura Lippman on this issue, writing can take its toll on one's health. I recently read of not one but three bloggers who died of complications of blogging! That's right. They were addicted to nonstop blogging. The body will rebel. I'd posted once that writing is in the top ten or so of professions that could cause serious health issues and even death, anywhere from stress disorders to blood clots--which I myself almost died of. This is not to even mention the huge emotional toll all scribes go through when hitting their stride, due to the depth of emotion invested in scene after scene. I chase horrid killers year after year, it is going to take its toll, and on some level I chase them as surely as a real cop or detective or PI on a case--at the emotional level. You do stare long enough into the pit and the abyss, you can get too close, and you can end up like Wiliam Styron or worse Hemmingway! Not that I am either gentleman but both suffered terriblly with an illness called depression. Did their writing about the human condtion help or hinder that condition? Any shrinks out there?<br />
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Rob<br />
<a href="http://www.robertwalkerbooks.com">www.robertwalkerbooks.com</a> - for Dead On Excellent advice, Rob. I avoi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-27:537324:Comment:1612412008-09-27T14:25:19.756ZJulie Lomoehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/julielomoe
Excellent advice, Rob. I avoid keeping food in my office for just this reason - although I've been known to keep a little bag of luxury chocolates (the caramel-filled dark chocolate squares are my favorite, though I'm blanking on the brand.) Since each one is individually and maddeningly wrapped, it cuts down on automatic snacking.
Excellent advice, Rob. I avoid keeping food in my office for just this reason - although I've been known to keep a little bag of luxury chocolates (the caramel-filled dark chocolate squares are my favorite, though I'm blanking on the brand.) Since each one is individually and maddeningly wrapped, it cuts down on automatic snacking. Careful Mari -- it sounds lik…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-09-27:537324:Comment:1612252008-09-27T13:54:58.154Zrobert walkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/robertwalker
Careful Mari -- it sounds like your eating may get in the way of your writing, LOL. I personally need to get up from time to time, so I leave the kitchen in the kitchen, so's I can stretch when I need to go get coffee or a roll. The dream of having everything at your fingertips can have ill effects on both your legs (blood clots at my age) and on your writing if you fingers are not on the keys. Just a word of warning. If everything you wish is within your grasp, well it will impact your work…
Careful Mari -- it sounds like your eating may get in the way of your writing, LOL. I personally need to get up from time to time, so I leave the kitchen in the kitchen, so's I can stretch when I need to go get coffee or a roll. The dream of having everything at your fingertips can have ill effects on both your legs (blood clots at my age) and on your writing if you fingers are not on the keys. Just a word of warning. If everything you wish is within your grasp, well it will impact your work habits one way or the other.<br />
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Rob Walker<br />
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