Writing in the Middle of Life

The room is small.  What some would call cozy.  The walls are covered in white wainscoting and the floors are wood.  There is a large picture window overlooking water...  lake or ocean... a body of water is all that is required. 

The room is quiet... except for the TV which is set to Young and the Restless... OK, you have to forgive me for that one, but I gotta keep up with the Genoa City crowd.  Let's pretend I said Jack Johnson is playing softly in the background.  He would go nicely with the waves...

The furniture is comfy with lots of pillows on a sofa.  The desk and table are mahogany.  I have a laptop because I may want to sit at my desk, on the deck, or on my sofa.  I would like a fireplace.  Wood burning... they smell good and give off nice ambient light.
   
There is a bathroom attached, with a blind Bradley Cooper just waiting to take dictation.  For I get all my best ideas in the shower.  Don't make me explain why he has to be blind.  Bradly can make coffee too.  Mochas, just the way I like 'em.

I've just described to you my dream writing environment.  Now let me walk you through my reality.

The room is large and decorated nicely.  I did decorate it after all. Warm, earthy tones with pops of red make it comfortable and fun.  Toys are scattered across the ceramic tile floors thanks to my three children, usually one or two of their friends, and two cats who are a foot.

The TV is very large and it's on constantly.  Rarely does it find Y&R but is usually tuned in to Peep and the Big Wide World or a video game of some sort.  I don't own an ipod and all my Cd's are in my car so, if I do listen to music these day's it's been Swingers and Swing on TV....it takes me where I want to go.

My shower is upstairs and down the hallway.  So, when I get my best ideas I usually scribble them in the shower steam on the glass doors.  I do find as long as I write it on something it sticks in my head better.  Let's face it though... some of those buds of brilliance are lost forever.  Where is Bradley when you really need him?  (George Clooney could easily replace him... he is more mature and has a proven record of staying power.)  Showers are usually taken with a two year old who likes to draw in the steam too.  She enjoys playfully screaming while she does this.  So, it's rarely a quiet event.

Someone always needs something... a drink, a snack, clean clothes.... so, if I'm lucky to sit in peace for an hour in front of my PC which sits firmly stuck on a desk, I consider myself blessed.   

I was thinking about all of this earlier and wondered, where did the great writers do their best work?  Did Steinbeck do his best work in a peaceful perfect writing environment or did he manage to write Grapes of Wrath while mowing his lawn and working on his car?  Did Lisa See write Snow Flower and the Secret Fan while doing dishes and vacuuming? 

Someday, if my writing makes it the way I hope it will, people may envision me sitting in that shabby chic room with a wonderful view telling Leila's story.  I will be laughing, hopefully all the way to the bank, because I know the truth... This book is being written in the middle of life.