There is an enduring fascination with the writing spaces and rituals of famous writers. Perhaps by mimicking some of their surroundings or habits, some of the talent might rub off on us!
Charles Dickens in his purpose-built Swiss Chalet, the garden shed to crown all garden sheds. From Nicolebianchi.comRudyard Kipling was likewise not a struggling writer, clearly… From Art of Manliness.Henry Miller did not even use his study much, other than for posing. From Booktique.comErnest Hemingway’s colourful study in Key West. From earthxplorer.comPablo Neruda looked out on a beautiful view, just as I imagined. From Pinterest.While Anne Sexton looked at the camera, giving us plenty of attitude. From This Recording.Finally, Norman Mailer had such a fancy library-like house over two storeys, that he could not work there. He would go to write in a bare little studio a block away. From Art of Manliness.
Good fortune and good writing spaces are clearly wasted on some people…
In my next Friday Fun, I will show living authors and some more non-English ones.
Hemingway’s is not at all as I expected, but Neruda’s is exactly what I would imagine! Just what he should be looking out on, composing beautiful verse…*sigh*
I can’t decide whether I’d work better in Kipling’s rich surroundings (loving that furniture!), or with the inspiration of the sea just outside my window! I might just spend all my hours watching the endless roll of the waves! 🙂
I thought that, too! I think for me it depends if I am writing about a world I see internally, or if I’m creating a response to something I see in the natural world. 🙂
Got to be Dickens’, though I’d be tempted to steal Hemingway’s recliner and move it in. I wonder if they all looked as tidy when they were actually working in them…
I quite fancied Kipling’s space but then I saw the view enjoyed by Pablo Neruda and changed my mind rapidly. I want to go there – now, this minute please
I see the shot of Mailer’s place is from Art of Manliness. Enough said!
The man shed to end all man sheds!
Hemingway’s is not at all as I expected, but Neruda’s is exactly what I would imagine! Just what he should be looking out on, composing beautiful verse…*sigh*
That must be where I’m going wrong – the view from my window is not that exciting or beautiful…
I reckon I could be comfy and happy in any of those, though the view from Neruda’s window is marvellous!
I’m rather attracted to the idea of the custom-built chalet in the garden… although my garden is barely big enough for a shed.
I can’t decide whether I’d work better in Kipling’s rich surroundings (loving that furniture!), or with the inspiration of the sea just outside my window! I might just spend all my hours watching the endless roll of the waves! 🙂
There is the danger of that, isn’t there? I can’t remember which famous writer said the best view was of a blank wall…
I thought that, too! I think for me it depends if I am writing about a world I see internally, or if I’m creating a response to something I see in the natural world. 🙂
How cool is Anne Sexton??
Dangerously cool looking, considering what a mess her inner life was.
These are so lovely, Marina Sofia!! I think I’d like Neruda’s study the best. That is, if I’d then be able to concentrate on work. That view…..
Oh, I like Ernest Hemingway’s style! It’s much more colourful than I had imagined.
Got to be Dickens’, though I’d be tempted to steal Hemingway’s recliner and move it in. I wonder if they all looked as tidy when they were actually working in them…
That Anne Sexton photo . . . And then to think of her life.
I quite like the colors in Hemingway’s place.
I have to look at a wall to work.
In Lithuania, I visited Thomas Mann’s summer house in Nida. It was really nice. Lucky them!
Great post. Wow, Dickens study is huge. And haha, love the caption about Kiplings’
I quite fancied Kipling’s space but then I saw the view enjoyed by Pablo Neruda and changed my mind rapidly. I want to go there – now, this minute please
I saw Hemmingway’s studio last week. It still looks the same. A confident writer with his table and typewriter in the middle of a gigantic room.
I’ll take Rudyard Kipling’s place
Fascinating! x