“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?
M.C. Tuggle, Writer 
Claude’s approach worked for Claude. But most people, I think, need to get out on at least a semi-regular basis.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Most folks are like S.D. McKinley, needing a balance of both. I stand with Claude!
LikeLiked by 3 people
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Got it. And very cool for allowing us to peak into your den. Does that jukebox play still?
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alie,
That can fire up the imagination. My extended stay in Mexico inspired a couple of stories. https://mctuggle.com/aztec-midnight/
LikeLiked by 1 person
S.D. McKinley,
Yes, it does! 78s are hard to find, and the good ones still available are fragile. But man, what a sound!
LikeLiked by 2 people
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I too find my greatest comfort in the walls of my home. It has everything needed for me to love and be loved😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Diana,
I’m with you on this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful den.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Durkwa,
Thank you! It’s the accumulation of three decades of marriage, as well as our reading, travel, and collecting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s too great.!🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow what a den! I have a somewhat similar den and I too love to stay there. 👍👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
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/
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍👍👍👍😊😊😊😊😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have a juke box! I envy you, sir.
LikeLiked by 1 person
william r ablan,
It’s a labor of love. The old 78s are fragile, but the ones that survive deliver a robust, deep sound.
LikeLike
I do exactly the same thing. I am a writer and Tzolkin researcher and love it. Thanks for this. Lisa T.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think both.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kathy,
Both work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Working from is really nice due to not needing to commute. Sometimes though, I just need to get out and enjoy nature.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Geri,
Me, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well written👍🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Athira,
Thank you for the visit and follow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure Mike..
LikeLiked by 1 person