The Write Space - Part 2
When we picture success in our minds, we immediately go to the extreme. The most famous. The wealthiest. The award winning, best selling, ultimate, guru and rockstar of whatever field dominates our daydreams. We don't imagine the lifestyle of the poor, humble dude just barely getting by as he pursues a living doing what he loves. We envision the lifestyles of the rich and famous, as Robin Leach often showcased, or MTV Cribs later went on to share with us.
When I say the word actress, Julia Roberts may pop into your mind. Football star? Brett Favre. Homemaker? Martha Stewart. Chef? Gordon Ramsay. Singer? Frank Sinatra, or maybe Whitney Houston will swim before your eyes. So when I said about to design my home office I didn't google James Patterson and kitchen counter. Nor did I image search for J. K. Rowling + couch.
Instead I scoured my favorite author’s blogs, sent them Facebook messages and yes, Google image searched for famous author’s offices. If my goal was to create an epic creative space, why not start by viewing the best, most prolific, bestselling, long standing, offices of the pros? Below you will see the fruits of my labor. Here are four authors I aspire to be like, and the spaces in which they complete their work.
This beauty of a room belongs to German, fantasy author, Cornelia Funke. She wrote one of my favorite books of all time, Inkheart. I LOVE everything about this office. When I do my big reveal next week, you will see a lot of similar elements. Although maybe not as large or grand, the color white, the natural light and the wall sized bookshelves make appearances.
Again. Yes, again Maggie Stiefvater. Always Maggie. But also, yes again with the book shelves. And yes, again to the abundance of books. In my current project I often try to channel Maggie's ability to make the paranormal plausible, maybe begging and borrowing pieces of her office style will help. :)
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Big Magic (and probably more notably: Eat, Pray, Love) says that once she finishes a book, she needs to move. That each project needs to occupy it's own space, explaining that her ideas cannot co-habitate. I don't plan on prescribing to this way of thinking, but I do love her use of natural wood and the color white. You can expect those style elements to show up in my office. P.S. She called this room, the Skybrary. How cool is that? Maybe I will need to christen my room with some fancy literary name. If you have any recommendations, shout them out in the comments below!
Madeline L'Engle, author of A Wrinkle in Time, the classic currently getting a massive movie makeover, has a desk COVERED with paper. Even thought I prefer to write long hand, my desk NEVER looks like this. But I do think that I will take a page from her book in decor. I have already purchased many pieces of art and inspiration to hang on my walls and place on floating shelves. (Note, I should not be allowed near a Target, TJMaxx Home Goods or Michael's any time soon!!)
Here are a few other writing coves that I found interesting.
Jodi Piccoult writes in the upper room of a farmhouse where as middle grade author Paul Durham remodeled a chicken coop for his office. Neil Gaiman has done most of his writing for the past twenty years in a Gazebo he built himself. Jeff Kinney literally bought the house next to his, and does all of his work in the comfort of his... second... home. Stephen King looks relaxed while at work with his feet up, and Roald Dahl's workspace looks a lot like my current situation. (Thus, the need for a basement renovation and office installation!) Andrew Clements writes from a tiny house on his property and Agatha Christie seemed to have been a minimalist in what her creative juices required... just a woman, her thoughts, and a typewriter.
That's all for now friends! Can't wait to show you MY office... next week!