This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
I dream of having a writing shed, a place that is all my own, lined with books and a stunning view of the Cornish countryside. But that reality is a long way off as I would need to be in one place for a decent length of time. What’s a decent length of time? More than a month!
So in truth the most important part of my writing is my little Mac Air, which means I can and do write anywhere. However, I do have three established writing places in my three homes (I know it sounds grand, but believe me the reality is far from – just think of the three sets of bills and the cleaning!). In our home in the heart of Cornwall, I write in the kitchen in the morning before the family descends. At this little table the sun streams in and I can turn and see my beloved garden. Sometimes this is a problem because I will find the weeds calling to me and not the beauty of the flowers. Of course, this usually happens when the story is stalling and a session of weed pulling works wonders for my brain to set the writing rolling again.
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In Dubai I write at the dining room table with my cats, Snowy and Sooty, draped about me. People often ask how can I write about Cornwall when I’m not there? When I write I see the scene in front of me like a film. I don’t notice my surroundings let alone the keyboard … so the bougainvillea makes no difference.
I confess when I’m editing on paper I love to sit in my Dubai garden with my feet up and enjoy the sunshine.
We also have a shoebox size flat in London. This is my little bolt hole and we recently had some work done on it to make it even more efficient. Here I can write in two spots (essential when my husband is also here working). In the south facing sitting room I work at the new work space below the bookcase.
f that spot is occupied, I can retreat to my bedroom where we have my mother-in-law’s beautiful desk. I have to confess when I am using this I tend to write long hand …
But in truth, with my little laptop, I can and do write anywhere … especially on the flight between Dubai and London where I can shut the world out and escape to Cornwall in my head.
The Cornish Stranger by Liz Fenwick is out now.