There is a
romantic notion that a writer must have a special place to write. I recall a
question a friend asked when we talked about process. This friend is not a
writer.
She: “Do you
have a retreat?”
Me: “Retreat to
what?”
She: “A place
where you leave everything behind in order to write.”
Me: “You mean—
other than a desk at home?”
She: “I mean
away from it all. A writer’s retreat.”
Me: “And who’s going to take care of
my kids, fold the laundry, and clean the cats’ litterbox?”
Yes, my friend who
knows my family and me actually imagined real
writing requires a cabin in the woods, or at the very least, a shed in the
backyard with a padlock & key only the writer possess.
All you need to
write is an ability to delve inward, focus, and a pencil or computer. A regular
corner where focusing usually takes place is helpful, but not a must.
Mine is a wee corner of my bedroom~
