What’s Goes on in My Writer’s Lair
by Kay Kendall
~~~~~~~
While I would happily write in a
garret—as nineteenth-century authors often did—instead I only use our third
bedroom that was originally intended for guests. Since these days I don’t even
open the lair’s door and let our cleaner inside, you can guess just how many
guests have stayed in it recently. That’s right. None.
I began to call the room in which I
work the writer’s lair before I looked up the precise definition of the word. I
thought it conveyed the sense that I wrote in a dark, secretive place. For
purposes of this little essay, I decided to consult dictionary.com:
work the writer’s lair before I looked up the precise definition of the word. I
thought it conveyed the sense that I wrote in a dark, secretive place. For
purposes of this little essay, I decided to consult dictionary.com:
1. a den or resting place of
a wild animal: The cougar retired to its lair.
a wild animal: The cougar retired to its lair.
2. a secluded or hidden
place, especially a secret retreat or base of operations; a hideout or
hideaway .
place, especially a secret retreat or base of operations; a hideout or
hideaway .
3. British. a place in which
to lie or rest; a bed.
to lie or rest; a bed.
Meaning #2 is the closest to how I
use my room, although the other two meanings make me giggle. Sometimes I do
indeed feel like a raging wild animal, and other times I feel like I need a
kip, as the Brits would say, which is to say a nap!
use my room, although the other two meanings make me giggle. Sometimes I do
indeed feel like a raging wild animal, and other times I feel like I need a
kip, as the Brits would say, which is to say a nap!
When I enter my writer’s lair, I
shut the door against the world. Only my cavalier King Charles spaniel Wills is
allowed to enter, and he always sleeps on my feet. When he can’t have my lap,
then my feet are second best. His breed was purposely developed 500+ years ago
to sit on the laps of royalty. So I guess my feet are sort of royal.
shut the door against the world. Only my cavalier King Charles spaniel Wills is
allowed to enter, and he always sleeps on my feet. When he can’t have my lap,
then my feet are second best. His breed was purposely developed 500+ years ago
to sit on the laps of royalty. So I guess my feet are sort of royal.
I am not one of those authors who
can write while listening to music with sung words. The words fight with those
in my head that are trying to make their way out to paper. Moreover, if the
tune has a strong beat, my attention goes in that direction. So, bottom line,
for me a quiet space is best. Listening to Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, and their
like can sometimes be a good thing. The volume has to be subdued though so I
don’t get drawn too far down into those glorious melodies.
can write while listening to music with sung words. The words fight with those
in my head that are trying to make their way out to paper. Moreover, if the
tune has a strong beat, my attention goes in that direction. So, bottom line,
for me a quiet space is best. Listening to Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, and their
like can sometimes be a good thing. The volume has to be subdued though so I
don’t get drawn too far down into those glorious melodies.
I edit as I go along. I cannot bear
to rush through a first draft, leaving ugly sentences in my wake. Of course,
after a sort-of first draft is done, I return and do umpteen swings at editing
all over again. All the while, I berate myself for not writing perfect
sentences the first time through. I need to post a sign on my cork board in
front of me that says ALL GREAT WRITING COMES FROM REWRITING. In short, I am
not a fast writer. Wish I were though. Sigh…..
to rush through a first draft, leaving ugly sentences in my wake. Of course,
after a sort-of first draft is done, I return and do umpteen swings at editing
all over again. All the while, I berate myself for not writing perfect
sentences the first time through. I need to post a sign on my cork board in
front of me that says ALL GREAT WRITING COMES FROM REWRITING. In short, I am
not a fast writer. Wish I were though. Sigh…..
My three bunnies Midnight, Bella, and Precious
Junior are jealous of Wills and his ability to join me in what could as aptly
be called The Happy Hovel. The bunnies would have a fine time tearing into the
books and papers that lie all around, turning my space/hovel/lair into a bigger
mess than it already is. When I worked with others, nine-to-five (or so) prior
to my writing fulltime, I coined a motto for myself, one which I live by
religiously. NEVER TRUST ANYONE WITH A CLEAN DESK. That means, in short, that
you really, really can trust ME.
Junior are jealous of Wills and his ability to join me in what could as aptly
be called The Happy Hovel. The bunnies would have a fine time tearing into the
books and papers that lie all around, turning my space/hovel/lair into a bigger
mess than it already is. When I worked with others, nine-to-five (or so) prior
to my writing fulltime, I coined a motto for myself, one which I live by
religiously. NEVER TRUST ANYONE WITH A CLEAN DESK. That means, in short, that
you really, really can trust ME.
So now how about you? What is your work space like? Do you manage to keep it tidy? If you do, all kidding aside, I do salute you!
Author Kay Kendall is passionate about historical mysteries. She lives in Texas with her Canadian husband, three house rabbits, and spaniel Wills.
Visit Kay at her website http://www.austinstarr.com/
Visit Kay at her website http://www.austinstarr.com/
or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KayKendallAuthor
