So, here's Stuart Neville's idea for a Meme, which he has inaugurated as Workspace Wednesday. It's inspired by a fascinating article at the Guardian Books website. The article is a gallery of well-known writers' offices and workspaces, with a note from each author on the things scattered around them. Anyway, I thought us less well-known writers could have a bash.
There are only a few guidelines:
1) You must take a photo of your workspace and post it to your blog.
There are only a few guidelines:
1) You must take a photo of your workspace and post it to your blog.
2) You must provide a few words about it.
3) You must NOT tidy, clean or otherwise stage the workspace - it must be EXACTLY as it usually is (you can see that I followed this rule religiously).
4) (Optional) You can nominate as many or as few others as you wish.
A few words about my writing desk: It's the ONLY clean place in the house. I had the writng bay custom built and the rest of the house came with it. Of course, once the house was done and I moved in, I wished I'd made the space bigger.
Next time.
What surprised me most about the others who did this meme wasn't so much that their desks were messy but that I didn't notice any desk items that were personally relevant to the writer.
From my pewter paper weight with the Disraeli quote, to the blue agate rock to the antique pocket watch (and the time it's set to) the the wall hangings and artwork, to the framed photo of my tragically dead grandmother whose name I share - all these have significance and meaning to me. I think more than any other reason than needing to see and touch these things easily - that's why I keep this space neat.
Next time.
What surprised me most about the others who did this meme wasn't so much that their desks were messy but that I didn't notice any desk items that were personally relevant to the writer.
From my pewter paper weight with the Disraeli quote, to the blue agate rock to the antique pocket watch (and the time it's set to) the the wall hangings and artwork, to the framed photo of my tragically dead grandmother whose name I share - all these have significance and meaning to me. I think more than any other reason than needing to see and touch these things easily - that's why I keep this space neat.
Anybody else who wants to participate, consider yourself tagged.
15 comments:
=P Big razz for you having a clean workspace! My desk(s) stay clean for about ten minutes, or until I start working on something.
Clair: If it's any consolation, if I'd turned the camera a bit to the right or left, you'd see I live in a total pig sty. My writing space is all that matters to me - the rest can go to seed - and has (at least until next year when I put my house on the market).
That's awfully neat. I have two small folding tables flanking me to keep files on while I'm working. They are usually pretty messy, although my work desk itself is not so bad.
I seriously can't get over how neat your desk is!!!
Ello and Charles: Before I got a second computer for Internet (on a rickety cluttered card table in a back bedroom) my writing desk was a mess cause I was always surfing the web, had all kinds of junk and papers on it.
I wonder if the spaces we saw in the meme were for writing only maybe they'de be just as neat?
Okay, but where's your REAL desk? That's like the one you show company, like the living room with plastic still on the furniture. We're on to your game, Damian! There's a mess to be found somewhere.
In all honesty, it's a beautiful workspace. And I suspect that many of the others who participated are like me: they HAVE personal items on their desks, they just conveniently 'forgot' to talk about them...
I'm now convinced I have the messiest desk of all. Sigh.
Conduit: Ah.... then perhaps the vendetta was ultimately against yourself? lol
Chris: Company doesn't come here, because then I'd have to clean the rest of the house which is a disaster area. But I do have a second desk in another room for my Internet computer - somewhat messy but not "Conduit level" messy.
Ah.. so there ARE personal items on those other desks - if only I could see them through all that mess. lol
Still, this meme was a nice insight into the lives of writers. Conduit, good idea.
Love your workspace! I dream of a clutter-free desk…
Wow, that desk is spotless! I don't know if I want to post my pics now? My desks are not disaster areas, but still...
If I have the courage (and that is a pretty big if), I'll set up the post on June 8 - maybe. It's actually a picture of both my desks - writing and Internet - along with some other photos.
mlh: Most everyone who did the meme had a messy desk - the neatniks are the minority. I too was going to post pix of my much more messy Internet desk, but I'm still on the learning curve with my new camera. Next time - when I start my Internet addiction series.
Mary: Thanks! All it takes is dedication.
My computer space is a wreck right now, I couldn't possibly photograph it. Yours looks nice and spacious, I like it...and looks like you have a nice view outside the windows?
I have tons of personal stuff in my space...too much perhaps.
Rhea: Another avatar, I see. Cute hat. I have woods on one side and in back of my house. Even with that window facing North, it's still too bright to open the curtains while I'm writing. It is nice to be able to see half way above them and look at the sky, the distant ress - helps with eye strain.
Josephine - This new avatar is actually me this time. I just took that photo yesterday. I think most people prefer to see who they're "talking" with, you know? I can't promise I won't change again, but this one is here to stay for a little while. :o)
Rhea: I recognized you from pix you have of yourself on your blog.
Since I just got a new digital camera I'm still figuring out how to work it. Someday I'll post a pic of myself. Am growing my hair long after being short - just coming out of the "awkward" stage - waiting till I look better for pix.
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