Friday Fun: Writers at Work

We can never have too many pictures of writers’ desks, can we? As I prepare for an intense week of writing and thinking about poetry in Wales, here are some voyeuristic peeks into writers’ studies.

Michael Connelly at work in sober environment, with no window to distract him. From his Facebook page.

Thomas Mann was clearly influenced by Baroque German university libraries.

Will Self seems to be devoted to post-it notes, from itsnicethat.com

Windows are a bonus for those who are not easily distracted, like Ryan Moore. From Pinterest.

Apparently, this is a writer’s retreat you can rent out, from Office Snapshots.

I rather like the feminine touches of this environment, from another2bohemians on Tumblr.

This is a public library, but I just love that writing space. From Fonthill Castle Library in Pennsylvania.

Friday Fun: Writerly Places of Interest

Even if some of the people below are not writers, their studies give us an insight into their lives, and above all into the places where creation takes place.

Beryl Bainbridge’s wonderfully eclectic study, from angels to Titanic to stuffed dogs and guns, from AmandaOnWriting.tumblr.com

As you’d expect, Donna Leon is serene in an office reeking of Italian elegance. From El Pais.

Pretty much dream conditions here in Elizabeth Jane Howard’s lived-in study, from The Guardian.

W.S. Maugham also had near-perfect conditions – maybe at his house in France? From BreathingBooks on Tumblr.

A tour of Gabrielle Coco Chanel’s Apartment at 31 Rue Cambone Paris. from Lily Adore Paris.

Peter York, more of a broadcaster and commentator rather than a pure writer, which perhaps explains the up-to-date decor. From The Guardian

This didn’t belong to an actual writer, but is from a marketing brochure for an interior design company. Still, I wouldn’t mind, would you?From Indulgy.com

Friday Fun: Famous Writers and their Studies

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.com

Rudyard 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.com

Ernest Hemingway’s colourful study in Key West. From earthxplorer.com

Pablo 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.