Where do you write best?
I’ve recently been reading Stephen King’s On Writing. Although I am not yet finished, I have been enjoying the memoir-style advice on how to hone the craft. Thankfully, I feel as if I am on a pretty good trajectory based on what I’ve read so far.
One suggestion that particularly interested me was his desk choice and placement.
For years, I have had an ‘L’-shaped three-piece metal desk. It was one of my first purchases upon moving to Abu Dhabi, which marked the first time that I ventured to a new country for work and life on my very own in my adult life. All previous moves had been with a partner or friends. So, despite my husband’s occasional comments at his disapproval of the design of my desk, it has traveled with me to Japan and now to Italy. Thanks to losing a few screws here and there in the moves, my three-piece desk is now basically two separate desks — one holds my two computer screens and the other is left an open surface for writing by hand or doing other creative endeavors as they arise.
My computer desk has to be placed so that I can have a decent backdrop due to doing regular video calls, thanks to the new working from home culture and more familiarity with keeping in touch via video.
On the other hand, my other desk needs to be placed so that I can see out a window during moments of pause to find inspiration, appreciate where I am living, or just take a breath.
So, when Stephen King writes that he changed his big old antique desk stationed in the middle of his office space for a little table tucked away in a corner under an eave, my eyes had to re-read his words.
Despite this discussion on where to place my desks, the truth is that I mostly prefer to write in cafés. After all, that is how I describe myself in many profiles. I enjoy the noise around me and the sources of dialogue clips I can reflect upon to add to my own characters. I like to sit and people-watch as I ponder the next line, scene or character. It is in the midst of the external noise that I can focus to hear the ones internally.
However, as I read these words by one of the most prolific and successful authors in the world, I had to question my own choices in where I write.
Have I been limiting myself all these years? Is there a yet unlocked space ready to come out now that my desk is against a wall near a corner — but still with a view for when I need to look up? We shall see.
What about you? Where do you write best when you open 📖 the sunshine ☀️ into your heart ❤️ to tell the stories📚 you have waiting to be told?
