Writers and garrets… a room with a view or just bubbles in the bathtub?

By some strange chance I was sent an email the other day which was semi-spam, but the article was terrific. Writers’ spaces. Now the ones they showed were quite simply wonderful. Inspirational. The source of great literature. And I wondered why I couldn’t have such a space… a cottage on a deserted estate on a distant island. And if I did, would my writing actually be any better?

I use the bath as a creative space sometimes.

Good enough for Jeffrey Archer!

I don’t write there, but I do think… I talk through lines of dialogue aloud. I think through scenes. All the while,  hot water dribbles in and bubbles pop all around. If it’s good enough for Jeffrey Archer, it’s good enough for me. I also have a favourite writing corner at House on the coast… but its often impinged upon by the rest of the family and that makes writerly solitude difficult. In essence I am a mobile writer. I work on a laptop and it goes where I go. All except the bath of course.

I decided that there are many independent writers who are leaving their mark on the world of reading and I wanted to know what their spaces were like in this technological world we inhabit.

Some have office spaces, some have rooms with views high up staircases, some have gypsy caravans… yes, romantically situated gypsy caravans… all have their own special space that contributes toward the creation of a book. But compared to writers of yore, our tools are electronic, can carry monumental files in a one inch long tool and can move things readily over the smallest or vastest distances. We can quite literally carry our work in a handbag, or even round our necks. That said, we all have a space… an area where the words flow better, where we sequestre ourselves… a private sanctum.

Share some of them with me…

Lexi Revellian, exceptionally successful UK thriller writer has a view of the streets of London Town and speaking as a boatie, I love her screensaver. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Lexi+Revellian&x=0&y=0 Lexi's books are also available in e- and print form on Amazon.co.uk

Australian award-winning hist.fict/hist.romance writer Lucinda Brant's space. The library looks to die for. http://www.amazon.com/Lucinda-Brant/e/B004QLRWZU/ref=sr_tc_ep?qid=1309943853

Barbara Silkstone's chair looks so comfortable... a dreaming chair! Amazon site for Barbara Silkstone: http://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Silkstone/e/B0047L8A8W/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 Book site: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BIGFSE/ref=tag_dpp_yt_edpp_rt?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text#tags

Ann Swinfen. Highly successful UK writer of elegant lit.fict and hist.fict. Who wouldn't want a gypsy caravan! http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B0032EXS00 and http://www.amazon.com/Ann-Swinfen/e/B0032EXS00/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1309948480&sr=1-2-ent

Louise Wise, exciting new chick lit writer. She's like me, 'have laptop, will travel.' APC: http://amzn.to/pAlfxN Eden: http://amzn.to/plzAP7

Greg Johnston, Australian author of Consumption. Greg lives in Sydney and has recently opened up his room with a view by an outside staircase. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052YX8K8

Saffina Desforges. Coauthor of the mindblowingly successful and confronting Sugar and Spice. Saffis' space is so organised, it's no wonder she's become legendary in the world of the indie writer. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sugar-Spice-controversial-psycho-sexual-ebook/dp/B004AYDK22 UK version http://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Spice-controversial-psycho-sexual-ebook/dp/B004AYDK22 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sugar-Spice-controversial-psycho-sexual-ebook/dp/B004W0IJCU American version http://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Spice-controversial-psycho-sexual-ebook/dp/B004W0IJCU