A Place (and Computer) of One’s Own

October 11, 2024 by Harvey

In today’s Journal

* Quote of the Day
* A Place (and Computer) of One’s Own
* The Writing
* Of Interest
* The Numbers

A Place (and Computer) of One’s Own

This is another blast from the past, considerably updated. I first posted it here back on November 1, 2018. I felt it was relevant because in today’s Of Interest, DWS talks about having a dedicated writing computer.

As many have said, having a dedicated writing space is all-important.

Still, I’ve heard many say they can write anywhere.

I usually smile and say, “Oh good.” The unasked question is “But can you write as well and as much anywhere?” If you can, “Oh, good.” (grin) If you can’t, consider settling on a dedicated space so your creative subconscious will learn that’s where you write. That when you’re there, it’s time to let go of the conscious, critical mind and play.

Also, now and then I hear about folks who are able to write “all the time.” For example, they’re equally able to write on their laptop in their office or on their iPhone on the bus or on their notebook PC (or Mac) while otherwise on the move.

(Frankly, it’s a little difficult for me to believe that even the most ambidextrous among us can write as well on the virtual keyboard of a phone or tablet as they can on a physical keyboard, but to each their own.)

But maybe they just mean they can write equally well (quality and volume) no matter where they happen to be. They are blessed, maybe, in that apparently every place they find themselves enables them to write.

But for many, and definitely for me, a dedicated writing space is necessary if not essential. You’ve all heard the drill. It should be a space that has few if any distractions (or only the distractions you want) and so on.

For me, a dedicated writing space is a place that, when I enter it, keys my subconscious that it’s time to write fiction. It’s nothing less than a way to psych myself up. A way to let my subconscious know it’s time to play.

These days, from the moment I wake in the morning, I’m anxious to get to the Hovel because I know whatever story is waiting for me there.

I even do the business stuff (TNDJ, and publishing and accounting stuff) in the Hovel these days when I first come in. But even as I’m doing all that, in the back of my mind I know it will end soon and I’ll get to write fiction.

In other words, I see writing fiction as a reward for getting through the necessary business things.

I take that a step further with a dedicated writing computer, and of course since it works so well for me, I recommend having one.

My writing ‘puter is an older model 11.6″ HP ProBook. The keyboard is comfortable, meaning I can type faster and experience far fewer instances of having to visit the delete or backspace key. My fingers like it, and my characters like it. I like it so much I have a couple of spares sitting on a shelf just in case that one bites the dust.

I often at least begin this Journal on a Notepad (.txt) document on my “business” computer. It isn’t dedicated to fiction, or to me for that matter. Through the Journal and other things I do on it—covers, editing, uploads, tracking numbers and so on—it belongs to the business side of things, not to me, the writer.

But my writing computer feels like an extension of me and of my creative subconscious.

As close as I can figure (early 2014 numbers were sketchy), since April 16, 2014 I’ve written just under two and a half million words of fiction (2,422,643). That’s up through yesterday (October 31, 2018).

(Note: The above is accurate for the original post. Today I estimate I’ve written something over 6,000,000 words of fiction. I need to go through and add it all up sometime.)

Most of that, if not all of it, was on this dedicated writing computer. Some of the characters on the keys are worn off or nearly worn off. (grin)

Of course, I didn’t write all of those words in the Hovel, and I prefer writing in the Hovel. The atmosphere is perfect for me.

But I very seldom go anywhere without my writing computer. And just the act of opening it keys my desire (and ability?) to write fiction. For me, that’s the key.

When I can’t be in the Hovel, my dedicated writing ‘puter creates a “place of my own” and makes wherever I happen to be more conducive to writing fiction.

I should add that owning a dedicated writing computer doesn’t have to be expensive. You can pick one up at a second-hand store for next to nothing. It only has to be able to run whatever program you enjoy writing on. And you can find older versions of most word-processing programs on Ebay.

So if your production is lacking, whether you count production in words typed, short stories completed, or novels finished, consider finding a place of your own.

It might be a completely separate abode, like my adobe Hovel. Or it might be nothing more than a different desk and chair (and computer), as in DWS’ office.

Or it might just be a dedicated writing computer that, no matter where you happen to be at the moment, keys the desire to tell stories as soon as you open it.

The Writing

Back to a good writing day yesterday. I’m still listing my daily average in Numbers below, so you can follow along if you want.

With my full day off two days ago, the average dropped to 3242 wpd. With yesterday’s efforts, it rose again to 3297. As I wrote in an earlier post, it’s easier to keep it up than it is to bring it up.

Talk with you again soon.

Of Interest

Dedicated Fiction-Writing Computer Great advice. I personally vouch for it.

Episode 972: Why Give Away Your IP?

The Numbers

The Journal……………………………… 1010

Writing of Blackwell Ops 29: John Quick

Day 1…… 1781 words. To date…… 1781
Day 2…… 3792 words. To date……. 5573

Fiction for October……………………. 32973
Fiction for 2024……………………….. 774481
Nonfiction for October……………….. 11800
Nonfiction for 2024……………………. 315390
2024 consumable words……………… 913910

Average Fiction WPD (October)……… 3297

2024 Novels to Date……………………….. 14
2024 Novellas to Date……………………… 1
2024 Short Stories to Date………………… 17
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)…………..……. 96
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)………………. 10
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)………..… 254
Short story collections…………………….….. 29

I am a prolific professional fiction writer. You can be too. On this blog I teach Writing Into the Dark and adherence to Heinlein’s Rules.

Unreasoning fear and the myths of writing are lies. They will always slow your progress as a writer or stop you cold. I will never teach the myths on this blog.

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