It’s mighty early

On the off days we do not have to rush off someplace, we end up retiring to our respective writing zones. She does homework, I retreat to my office and edit or write my own prose. The cats usually lounge around inside the studio or just outside, depending on the weather.

No, I don’t work on this, but I sure love to look at it. I’ve been collecting old typewriters for a bit now (they take up a lot more room that I thought) and they litter my home like newspapers in an episode of Hoarders. OK, not that bad, but when I dust them it feels like it. Looking at them reminds me how lucky I am to be a writer in the age of the computer, iPad, iPhone, and Internet.

I keep the windows open on a lovely day, the 8 Track playlists running, and the water flowing (gotta keep hydrated). Yes, some days there is a glass of wine or two, but that’s on special occasions. Hemingway I’m not.

What are you looking at?

When I return to the house for a bite to eat, I’m judged by those waiting inside for a snack. This guy pulled a muscle chasing the cat, which means he just sits around looking miserable (and waiting till he can pick up the chase). The other one is usually sleeping in a sunbeam somewhere.

The day is ending, and that means grabbing a bite, watching a little Supernatural (we’re catching up) and Monarch of the Glen (I just discovered this one) with a bit of the good Chivas. A little goes a long way, with TV and good Scotch. Am I right?

I love my days, and my nights. Of course, it’s not always this peaceful. Sometimes family visits, rain falls, cakes are baked, laundry is done, etc. Those are good days, too. Just not picture worthy sometimes.

What makes your day special?

Where do you write? Do you need to have a cup of tea on the desk and classical music to write? Perhaps you need Metallica in your headphones while sitting at the local coffee shop. Does it matter where you write as long as you’re writing?

That’s the big question here. Does it really matter? To some writers, it isn’t a big deal–Have laptop, will write. To others, everything has to be in order before any writing can be done. Which type are you? I have friends who are happy to set out to a coffee shop and type away on a laptop. They love the hustle of the environment, the voices in the background and the unending supply of coffee and muffins.

I know a writer who takes his laptop to a local resort and sets up in the lobby with a Scotch. He uses the WiFi and has a night out and gets a lot of writing done. Me? I think after a few Scotches I may need a ride home, and I don’t know what I would be writing by then. Hemingway I’m not.

When I read Stephen King’s On Writing, I was so impressed at how he described his first writing desk, shoved in a hallway with the washer/dryer. And this was a typewriter, not even a laptop. He wrote some of the best stories and books there, proving he certainly didn’t need an office, or even a room, to write.

But there is something to be said with being among your books and a familiar setting, behind a desk where you are comfortable, right? Virginia Woolf had a separate writing studio, as did Roald Dahl and many others. Virginia wrote about a woman having A Room of One’s Own.

When I think of all the things I need in my office such as the printer, printing paper, printer ink, laptop, extra monitor, heater, A/C, iPod speakers, etc., I become acutely aware of the sparseness of Thoreau’s little cabin with a bed, small table and tiny desk. Or even Virginia Woolf’s one big table with paper and pens strewn across it. For a glimpse at their spaces, as well as many other famous writers and their spaces, check out this Pinterest site, and this one with photos of famous writers’ studios.

For some writers, it’s not where they write, but how they write. Rituals abound like having a drink at hand, writing only in the morning, writing longhand on a yellow legal pad, etc. We all have our routines, and our needs, and they are all legitimate. I don’t have any routine or ritual, although I prefer to have music without words to distract me. I have a special iPod playlist titled “No Words” that I update occasionally. Joan Didion said she needed an hour before dinner each night, with a drink, to review what she’d written that day. (Perhaps the drink helped.) I may start this one, couldn’t hurt. Check these out for more famous writing routines.

I used to write while seated at an office armoire tucked in the corner of my bedroom. I could “close” my office at night and hide the mess. It was small, but it had everything I needed in one neat little package. Then my husband remodeled the small shed on our property (it was there when we moved in). He added wood floors and a bigger window with a view to the yard. I added a desk from craigslist, an air conditioner (a necessity in the desert), and a small heater for cold mornings. This is my perfect space, and it even has a small refrigerator with chocolate and a bottle of Scotch. I wrote about it when he began the remodel, here.

Where do you write? Whether you find a spot at the local bar, in your own corner of the house, or even a separate writing shed like Woolf or Dahl, it’s the writing that counts. I am always interested in how others write, and in what environments. These differ as much as the books written in them. So, I guess the bottom line is don’t wait for the perfect space, make your perfect space and get writing.

Just a bit of color

Where have I been? I took a break from writing, working, and even sleeping at times, to help a dear friend with her small, intimate, and lovely wedding recently.

A beautiful entry to a wedding

I had great fun being creative and experimenting with all kinds of ideas, and dear Heather was a dream bride and basically approved just about everything I suggested. Ok, some ideas were out there, but creativity can be a strange bedfellow. Or is that politics? I can never remember.

I did suggest making a huge frame and using it as a photo booth of sorts (blame Pinterest, the mother of all time-sucks on the planet and a new passion of mine). She turned that idea down quickly, but then she said the one word that turned it all around — TARDIS. That led to asking the husband to create a 6′ TARDIS frame to be used at the wedding for a photo booth. Yeah, he did it, and he did an amazing job. The wedding party loved it and everyone had fun taking photos in there.

The Daughter contemplating a trip with The Doctor, fez and all.

What I didn’t plan for was the fact that everything had to be transported to Tucson in my car for the ceremony. While I piled and stacked things on my dining-room table all month, and the pile spilled over onto the sofa, the stash for the back of the Tahoe began to grow. The back seats were removed, then the next row of seats were flattened. The TARDIS (in two pieces) was placed in first, then all the candles, ribbons, bows, glasses, drink dispensers, serving bowls, etc. On top of that, Daughter and I baked 300 gluten-free cookies a few days before the wedding, and ordered 12 dozen bags of gluten-free pita bread that the bride requested from a local bakery. Yeah, I went there and picked it up the night before the wedding. What else was there to do? Two teenagers and I squeezed into the car and took a 2-hour drive while listening to show tunes (OK, that was their idea and these kids are awesome but that’s another post.)

Just a few of the refreshing goodies that made the day special.

But the end result was worth all the effort. And on top of that, I did manage to squeeze in some work and a bit of writing on my own WIP in the midst of all the planning, which was quite satisfying.

Now that it’s over, it’s back to editing and writing, which is what I do best and what makes me happy. I’m so touched and glad that I took part in this wonderful celebration, and my days as a wedding planner are over. You can find me back in my chair, listening to Pavarotti and typing away. Right where I belong.

Seems like there are always so many books I want to read. Ever feel that way? I always have two or three beside me, one in the car, a few beside the bed, etc. My purse is too heavy because there’s a book in it, or an iPad with a hundred books and the potential for more. And those are just the ones I want to read, not the books I must read for literature class or book club. Those are always on top of the pile and usually keep me from what I really want to read.

Then there’s work and life, yes those pesky obligations that keep us from our daily reading. But ahhh, when that glass of single-malt is poured, and the lamp is clicked on and the book is opened, I am at peace.

But for now, there will always be more and more books, and yes, I still scour used-book stores for more. I can’t pass up a bargain for something I would want in the future, something that will keep me company with my glass of amber liquid and softly glowing light in an otherwise dark room.

So here I sit, in a small office as I work, with many books keeping me company. “We’ll be here when you’re ready,” they seem to say. “Take your time.”

Take time to see the beauty in life

I had a very wise teenager in my car recently. I was driving my daughter and her friend somewhere and as they chatted, I listened and drove. (I think that’s my job now-driver and listener, at this stage of the game.) At one point, my daughter’s friend said, “I keep saying I don’t have time to do things, but the fact is that I just don’t make time for them. I have lots of time in my day and I waste way too much of it. Then I don’t have time for the things I have to do, or want to do. So I’m not saying, ‘I don’t have time,’ anymore. I will be honest and say, ‘I can’t make time for that.’”

Wow, pretty insightful for a teenager. Not that teenagers are not smart and clever, but it usually takes years and years for us to recognize how much time we waste on stupid things and how many things we miss by doing that. Even I had to sit back and think about all the time I waste on the Internet or watching TV. When I tell people I don’t have time to get to something, just what did I do all day that made me so late?

Of course, I do love TV, I admit it. There’s nothing wrong with watching some Walking Dead (which returns Feb. 10, yipee!) or Downton Abbey. Both offer a grand escape and are highly entertaining. But the channel surfing has to stop. The mornings I wake up and tell myself I will just watch a little TV with my tea and two hours later, cold tea at my side, I have watched nothing but crap. Seriously. So I move on to checking my email and two hours later I’ve looked at crap video clips and checked out a few websites that may be helpful in a work-related way (if I convince myself of it.) Luckily, this doesn’t happen every day or I would never leave the house. I do have responsibilities and a job, but on those rare days when I don’t have somewhere to go or something to do, I am quite disappointed in myself for not making better use of all that free time.

What is your major time waster and how can you get hold of it and wrestle it to the ground? Control it before it controls you, right? I’ve downloaded iTV on my iPad and I now only look for the TV shows I want to watch and keep the TV off all other times. I head into my office as soon as possible in the morning, where there is no television. Yes, there is a computer, but once I start working, it usually takes care of itself.

My last guilty pleasure is Facebook. I post every day and interact with friends and I love that. I read author FB posts and publishers, I check out what’s for sale at my favorite resale store. But mostly, I browse. Well, we all need some kind of vice, right?

I stood there and looked around me at the women in line and walking around the store. How many of them, including me, would want their photo plastered on a magazine right about now? How many of them dolled themselves up to run to Safeway for that extra ricotta they forgot for tonight’s lasagna? Not me, no way. Sure, I had on jeans and a cute sweater. I may even have a bit of makeup on, but hell, I’m not ready for a photo shoot. And why should these women be hounded by photographers and not allowed to be normal?

I looked at the photos and saw beautiful, regular, average women. Sure, they didn’t look like their red-carpet selves, but who does at 8 a.m. on a run to Starbuck’s? Why should it be any different because they are celebrities? Yes, they chose this life and yes, being a celebrity has its perks (more zeros on a paycheck than the number of paychecks you’ve had). But why should this be part of the job? Nobody takes photos of teachers, doctors, or corporate CEOs on their way to get coffee and drop the kids at school. It’s not plastered all over the Internet and magazines that my neighbor wore denim on denim and skipped eyeliner and her fake eyelashes today.

I could have posted a link here to the magazine/rag, but I’m sure you can find it on your own if you need to. I suggest you just move on and leave them be. As for me, I am happy to be one of the many who can head out to Safeway without full makeup armor and a Badgley/Mischka gown. And if anyone dares to take a photo of me in my studio before noon, it won’t be pretty. But at least my neighbors won’t care.

“Infinite Possibilities”… My 365 photo for Jan. 1, 2013

I stumbled upon 365 Project a few weeks ago and decided to take the challenge. Quite simply, post one photo per day for an entire year. Doesn’t matter when you start, and even the content and quality of the photos are open. But just by committing to one photo per day, I have begun to see the world in a different way.

For one thing, I am always looking at things from a different angle. Whether it’s closer than usual, or perhaps from the side instead of straight on, I’ve learned to realize the beauty in even the smallest things.

Another fun capture

A dear friend of mine has been on the site for ages, and not only is she a professional photographer with a keen eye for beauty, but she’s encouraging, thoughtful and funny as hell. If you want to see real beauty and fun shots, check out her 365 shots HERE.

And not only am I having a blast taking photos, choosing the best one for the day, manipulating them to B&W or sepia, but I’m learning from the photographers on the site. they are kind with their comments and helpful. I never would have thought to take such different, artistic photos until browsing all the great ideas on the site. Spend some time there and take a look, you won’t be bored, I assure you.

I see nature in a much different way now.

Check out my photos HERE and comment if you want. I’m open to criticism (polite, of course) and praise.

How often do you complain that you don’t have enough time to do all the things you want/need to do? Better yet, how often do you hear others complain about it? “If only there were 29 hours in a day,” or, “I can’t seem to catch up.” Yes, some people have overextended themselves, but most people just don’t know how to organize their time. In my life procrastination wastes a lot of my time, and believe me, I am a master at it. I practice a trifecta of avoidance, boredom, and lack of focus.

So, two simple questions to ask as we begin the new year:

1. What is the one thing you do that wastes the most time your life? Is it TV, video games, eating, Facebook or Twitter browsing, cleaning? Whatever it is, it is taking time away from what you really should be doing-and only you know what that is. Shouldn’t you be writing, working, cleaning, doing paperwork, exercising, etc.

OK, once you know what you are doing to waste time, make an agreement with yourself to recognize when you are doing this and ask yourself, “Do I have something more important to do right now?” If the answer is yes…go do it.

2. What is the one thing you did this past year that made you happy? Was it traveling, writing, reading, spending time with friends, cooking with your kids, etc.? Promise yourself right now to make time for what makes you happy. Don’t deny yourself those little things that make you smile. When you’re content, everything seems easier.

Now, I hear some of you saying, “But the thing I do that wastes time is the thing that makes me happy.” Nice try, Smartass. I’m not saying you can’t do those things anymore. I’m suggesting that you make specific time for those activities and stick to it. For example: if you love watching TV, and it’s your time waster, then look through the TV schedule and line up your favorite shows. Then make time to watch them as a reward for getting your responsibilities taken care of. No sitting down with the remote and mindlessly channel surfing for two hours when you’ve got paperwork to take care of.

Don’t beat yourself up if you grab the remote and plop on the couch. Just recognize it, think about whether you are avoiding something or really enjoying it. Avoiding something?- get it over with and go do it. Enjoying it and have some free time?- have fun.

Sounds simple, but I know it isn’t. Nobody’s perfect, especially me. But I am going to try this year and follow my own advice. Which means less TV and Facebook scrolling and more time for what I enjoy-movies with my daughter, writing, blogging, photography, reading and art.

Good luck! Oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

In the book, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, Robin and her family are migrant workers and land in California. While trying to hide from her siblings, Robin finds a tunnel leading to an empty mansion on the hill. But one room is not empty. It is filled with ceiling-high bookshelves and tall windows with red velvet drapes and window seats. Robin finds herself returning day after day to the room, reading and exploring. She begins to wonder why just one room in this large empty house is furnished. I was engrossed in this book for many reasons, but mainly I wanted to find a room like that. I wanted to get away from my family and our dysfunctional drama into a room with tall windows and red-velvet curtains drawn tight against the sun. I wanted to wander and read all the leather-bound books on the shelves without fear of interruption or ridicule. It didn’t matter what you wore in the Velvet Room. Even Robin, in her worn clothes from the fields, didn’t have to worry in there. She could escape the hard life she lived at the bottom of the hill by curling up on the window seat with the curtains drawn and her feet up under her while she read a book.

I carried that book around with me everywhere when I was 11, to my mother’s dismay. I read passages about the room when I was alone, or wanted to be, which was most of the time. At one point my mother wanted me to come out of my shell and allowed me to put a sweater on layaway at K-Mart, a sweater that look so much like the kind everyone else was wearing I was giddy with excitement. It had a brown and yellow zig-zag pattern with a smart-looking tie at the waist. If I could talk her into a pair of wide bell-bottoms, I imagined I would look just like Laurie Partridge, although with my frizzy blonde hair and c-cups at age 11 there wasn’t much chance of that happening too soon. But I dreamed, and went to the store and put another $2 on the sweater each week. I patiently waited for cooler weather and the chance to wow everyone with how hip and groovy I looked in my sweater.

Needless to say, when I finally got the sweater I didn’t look anything like the incredibly thin, poker-straight-haired Laurie. I looked more like her little brother Danny (as in Bonaduce). I was wrong, that sweater didn’t change anything. I retreated back to my book after wearing the sweater for a full week, every day, with no ooohs and aaaahs from anyone.

Virginia Wolfe said every woman should have a room of her own. That might not always be possible, but a corner? How hard can that be? For the moment, I’ve got a large chair in my studio that faces my tiny bookcase and I’m content with that. I’ve got a room, and before that I had a corner. I’m going out to buy red velvet material to make curtains for the tiny windows in my studio this week because after all these years, I think I deserve them. Don’t you? Oh, and I found a copy of The Velvet Room on E-bay a few years ago, and I see it’s on Kindle now. It’s still a good book, and I still look a little like Danny Bonaduce. Some things never change.

Perhaps I need to open a Restaurant and Social Club for Writers and Artists

Being a writer/artist can be a lonely life. Many of us end up sitting for long hours in quiet rooms writing/painting/creating. (I am tucked away in my tiny studio neatly hidden in my backyard as I write this). Now don’t get me wrong, this is not a complaint, it is certainly something we choose to do. I write better when I am alone and I lose track of time. For some writers, the coffee shop becomes a refuge from the solitude. I know people who write all day in a coffee shop, blocking out the chatter and kicking out chapter after chapter. Then others work at home and end up hanging out in public with fellow writers when they have the chance.

I return to A Moveable Feast often, and I find that I do that when I’m feeling isolated or I start to get into a self-defeating mindset. Even Earnest Hemingway understood the importance of surrounding himself with creative people, including T.S. Eliot, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Picasso, etc. He liked to be alone and write, but he kept acquaintances and friendships with many creatives. I realize that this glamorous era in Paris when all of these creatives were drinking and socializing and sharing their work makes more sense every day. Yes, they had arguments and it wasn’t all rosy, but the bottom line was that they all encouraged each other. (OK, maybe Fitzgerald and Hemingway stopped encouraging and started bickering, but that’s later. Follow me here for a moment.)

Surrounding yourself with creative people fuels your creative juices. It has to. Being around that kind of energy and enthusiasm and angst can’t do anything else. We are all in the same boat, trying to create and share our work. We all understand the depression and elation that comes with being creative. Why do you think that writer meet-ups are so popular, or that writing groups meet all over the country in bookstores and cafes?

Who do you surround yourself with? Do you have a circle of people who knit with you, scrapbook, etc? If you’re a writer/artist, do you have a core group that “gets you?”

I realize that although I have a few friends who are writers, I don’t frequently hang out with other writers or artists. I had the chance to meet a lovely, encouraging writer recently and what a great feeling it was. Just hearing that someone else had doubts about her success or talent, or that someone else felt the need to create and didn’t know why. It’s a grand and fabulous feeling to talk about your work and be validated, and that’s what all those lucky people in Paris were doing. And that’s what all those lucky people in writing retreats do, and writing meet-ups in cafes. And yes, I know that the cyber world enables us to have relationships with other creatives from the comfort of the back studio, but there is nothing like being face to face with another writer and nodding your head as they express feelings you’ve had so many times.

So, my goal is now to add to my creative circle of people to share my journey. I know it can only be beneficial to me and to everyone else who has a chance to grow from it. Thanks to Shannon for adding me to your circle!