The Comfort Zone of Writing
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
The Unique Writing Environments and Habits of Great Writers
The way in which we write undoubtedly varies from writer to writer. By this, I don't mean the content of our writing, but rather the process by which we create it. Our surroundings, mood and habits can have a profound influence on our writing process, often shaping it.
This applies not only to ordinary writers like us, but also to the great masters. They, too, have their own unique writing environments, rituals, and quirks. While some may appear simple and straightforward, others can be quite strange and unexpected. Driven by curiosity, I researched the habits of some famous writers. Let's take a look at them together.
When I recently experienced a lull in my creative process, I began to explore the reasons behind it. With summer just around the corner, I've also been feeling a little lethargic. Even though it isn't particularly hot yet, one can still feel a little listless. Regardless of the season, sometimes a sense of apathy can set in, and it can take time to regain one’s spirits.
However, I don’t view this as a major problem, as I know I’m not the only one who experiences it. When I'm feeling like this, I like to see how experienced writers cope. I see that every writer has their own routine, which can sometimes change seasonally. So, what approach have well-known writers taken in this regard?
Ernest Hemingway hardly ever used his desk. Although it was covered in books and discarded drafts, he preferred to write standing up with his typewriter at chest height in front of the bookcase. Whether this preference stemmed from the discipline associated with the Iceberg Theory, as I once wrote in an article, or whether he was simply seeking physical comfort, remains unknown.
Frank Herbert transcribed the 215,000 words of “Dune” onto long rolls of paper. He wrote in uninterrupted sessions of four to six hours, with no page breaks. He remarked, "The thought comes to your mind and flows directly from your hands onto the paper." Perhaps he feared his ideas might slip away.
Jack Kerouac wrote his novel “On the Road” on a single roll of paper approximately 36 metres long. Without any paragraph or page breaks, he completed it in 20 days at a rate of 100 words per minute. This famous scroll was sold for 12.1 million dollars in 2021.
James Baldwin, on the other hand, was one of those writers who worked almost exclusively in bed. I used to write in bed when I was younger, but the digital age has made it difficult for me to tear myself away from my desk. Baldwin, however, would fill his yellow notebooks while lying on a bed piled high with pillows and smoking a cigarette. He preferred to write this way, wherever he happened to be.
J. R. R. Tolkien started writing “The Lord of the Rings” while he was lying delirious in a hospital bed. He later preferred to write in his garden, surrounded by trees. As you know, forests and trees or nature in general, play a significant role in his universe. When he couldn’t find the right words, he would gaze at the scenery or sketch. As well as writing, he also created illustrations for his stories.
Roald Dahl is famous for writing “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. He actually had his very own sanctuary. For 30 years, he wrote in a garden shed. He would sit down in his mother’s old armchair with a sleeping bag draped over his legs and simply start writing. It is clear that he sought peace and quiet here, creating his own sanctuary.
Susan Sontag used to write in her notebook in her Chelsea flat, which was filled with 15,000 books. She was one of those who rarely used a typewriter. She wrote her essays in the living room and her short stories in the bedroom. I found this very heartfelt. Having experienced how different atmospheres can evoke different feelings and thoughts, I can completely relate to her.
Finally, Stephen King wrote his first novel, “Carrie”, on his wife’s typewriter in a laundry room. He then moved on to writing at a small desk. Perhaps he enjoys the security offered by cramped, enclosed spaces. He once remarked, “Life isn’t a support system for art. It’s the other way around.”
In order to create our artistic works in a disciplined manner, it is understandable that we need our own space — a room, a desk and a bed — where we can retreat. Creating or finding these spaces can help us to find inspiration. Sometimes, we cannot function without music, while on other days we crave silence. Sometimes, we are inspired by the rain, while at other times, we enjoy writing and drawing in the sunshine.
What parallels exist between our personality, our artistic expression and the comfort zone we have created for producing it?
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