“People leave their homes to get away from themselves and from their surroundings. I confess that I live only in my surroundings and in myself. I can conceive of no greater pleasure than sitting in my chair at this desk and looking at the walls around me day by day and night after night…”
“I live in a world of imagination, which is set in motion by something suggested by my intimate surroundings rather than by outside influences, which distract me and give me nothing. I find an exquisite joy when I search deeply in the recesses of myself, and if anything original is to come from me, it can only come that way.”
So, how about it, folks? Do you recharge your creative juices relaxing at home, among intimate surroundings, or by going out into the world?
Claude’s approach worked for Claude. But most people, I think, need to get out on at least a semi-regular basis.
Most folks are like S.D. McKinley, needing a balance of both. I stand with Claude!
Balance is good, but what I was thinking while reading this, is YES! Being in my own home is great – just being with my reading and writing is a great time when things are peaceful. It’s a sign of creating my own stable environment and creating something in front of me. I have been without those things in my life. So to have them is a very great thing. I can write in the library, but McDonalds is even more a challenge – seems like right when you are on the brink of a good idea a mother brings in her screaming kids. Sure kids can scream, it just doesn’t do very well for meditation. Thanks for sharing Mr. Tuggle.
SD McKinley,
Usually, I need crypt-like silence to focus, but I have been productive in noisy settings. It might have something to do with how inspired I am at the time.
Got it. And very cool for allowing us to peak into your den. Does that jukebox play still?
It is an interesting quote but I suspect I am more consumed by curiosity than imagination – I always need to see around the next bend, over the next hill.
Alie,
That can fire up the imagination. My extended stay in Mexico inspired a couple of stories. https://mctuggle.com/aztec-midnight/
S.D. McKinley,
Yes, it does! 78s are hard to find, and the good ones still available are fragile. But man, what a sound!
While in college and just after, I did most of my writing at a coffee shop or Waffle House. I couldn’t write at home for some reason. Now, I write almost exclusively at home, usually on the weekends. It’s like I need that space to decompress from the rigors of my “other” life at work.
The Philosophical Fighter,
That’s what works for me, too. But if you need a little hubbub in the background, there’s this:
https://coffitivity.com/
I too find my greatest comfort in the walls of my home. It has everything needed for me to love and be loved😊
Diana,
I’m with you on this!
In order to focus, I really need to be in a quiet space alone. Fortunately, I’m married to a design engineer who designed and built a writing studio for me in our backyard. It suits my needs; it isn’t large and overwhelming. It’s just right. Thanks, Mike, for the quote from Debussy, a favorite composer of mine.
Here’s a link to some photos of my studio: https://sherreymeyer.com/welcome-2/. And thanks for sharing a look into your den.
Sherrey,
I’m envious of your writing studio! It looks perfect for concentrating.
Have you ever read East is East by T.C. Boyle? Much of the action takes place at a writer’s retreat in Georgia, where each guest writer gets their own cottage and enjoys meal delivery so nothing breaks their concentration. In the evening, the writers meet and discuss their works in progress. Sounds wonderful.
Beautiful den.
Durkwa,
Thank you! It’s the accumulation of three decades of marriage, as well as our reading, travel, and collecting.
Wow!
That’s too great.!🙂
Wow what a den! I have a somewhat similar den and I too love to stay there. 👍👍
Sangeetha,
Thank you! It’s my cold-weather retreat. Here’s where I hang out when it’s warm: https://mctuggle.com/2020/08/22/chasing-down-the-muse/
👍👍👍👍😊😊😊😊😊
You have a juke box! I envy you, sir.
william r ablan,
It’s a labor of love. The old 78s are fragile, but the ones that survive deliver a robust, deep sound.
I do exactly the same thing. I am a writer and Tzolkin researcher and love it. Thanks for this. Lisa T.
I think both.
Kathy,
Both work!
Working from is really nice due to not needing to commute. Sometimes though, I just need to get out and enjoy nature.
Geri,
Me, too!
Well written👍🏻
Athira,
Thank you for the visit and follow!
My pleasure Mike..