The Time and Space to Write

In her brilliant book, Becoming a Writer (published some seventy-five years ago but still relevant today), Dorothea Brande spoke about two of the most important things a writer needs: the time and the space to write. Well, for me, time has always been a precious commodity, but as a father of four studying for a degree and working full-time there really isn't a lot I can do about that; I grab time when I can and make the most of it. When it comes to space, I've always struggled, too. I have no study, not even a shed or a roomy closet. At the moment, all I have is a tiny desk in the corner of the bedroom where I rest my laptop of an evening and try to produce good words. But it's not really conducive to the production of inspired work.

Now, things have changed.

Thanks to a family friend I now have a study in her house, and it's a beautiful house. Surrounded by gorgeous flower-filled gardens and a view of the bay that is quite stunning, Peace Cottage is the ideal idyll for the writer. The study is spacious and airy with plenty of light, and I am surrounded by library shelves filled with the most amazing old books. Inspiration is all around me.


Today I spent my first afternoon there and produced over two thousand words, a chapter and a half of my new book (the follow-up to The Hotel Galileo). I'm going back tomorrow for the whole day and I can't wait. At last, a place to go, a peaceful refuge for a cluttered mind. Peace Cottage. I think it's going to be a wonderful summer...

Comments

K M Kelly said…
Ah time and space, never enough! That sounds like a lovely place to write - I bet you'll get loads done.
11:35 AM
Lee Moan said…
Hi Kate, yes it is lovely up there. Spent a few days in my week off and really steamed ahead with the new novel. No distractions. Well, apart from all those old books...
2:38 PM
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