Top Five Friday: Anywhere But Here

Try to relax and enjoy the crisis.

~ Ashleigh Brilliant

 

D

ear Ashleigh must never have produced an art festival while simultaneously holding down a second full time job, finding a new place to live, and keeping the quill from going dry.  Not to mention singing a rather complicated (yet soul-stirring) Requiem Mass tonight.

No wonder I’m an exhausted wreck!

And since I also signed up to blog every day in November, I’ll take a cue from today’s prompt and tell you five places I would rather be right now than orchestrating my crazy life.



Me during the month of November.
Ophelia, Alexandre Cabanel



In the Mountains

Preferably alone.  In a well-appointed cabin.  With a staff of three: a vegan chef, and massage therapist, and a maid.  Who of course are all good at leaving me alone.

Under Anesthesia

Yes.  Seriously the best sleep I’ve ever had.  Not counting the time I had all four wisdom teeth pulled and was on pain meds and Jack Daniels.

Just kidding. That wasn’t fun and I didn’t sleep much.  Plus, I think I was knee deep in festival goo that year too.  Ugh.

On the Titanic
At least it would be over in two and half hours.  And no, not with Leonardo D.  Not my type. 

Are we sensing a pattern here?  Anywhere but here?

In an Elizabeth Hunter novel

I know, second time I’ve mentioned her this week.  I can’t help it.  She has ruined me for other vampire novels.  An Italian vampire?  Yep, I could use one of those right about now!

Scotland

Okay, so this one is probably what the prompters had in mind: an actual country.  Never been and desperately want to go.  What’s not to love: men in kilts, rainy moors, and lots of single malt scotch.  My idea of paradise. 

Actually, anywhere as far away from my own personal crazy land as I could get right now would be ideal.  Tesoro mio ~ wake me when November ends.

And hand me another scotch.

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela

So what’s on your never never land list?  Care to share your sweet escapes?

Word Count Blogathon Day 24: Top 5 Favorite Writing Spaces

Some places speak distinctly. Certain dank gardens cry aloud for a murder; certain old houses demand to be haunted; certain coasts are set apart for shipwrecks. 

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

And some places were just meant to encourage the art of writing.  The saying is true: wherever you go, there you are.  So it goes with writing spaces.  No matter how ideal the space, or how far away from external distractions it may be, you are still you and you bring all your internal distractions along.

Some people are absolute geniuses ~ they can write a masterpiece in a cold small room amounting to no more than a closet, with a stub of a candle for light and a broken pencil.  Jane Austen’s writing space was a drafty hallway, with a small occasional table and a little chair.

But I’m a dreamer and an artist and no genius.  And I firmly believe in the power of place.  That our surroundings matter.  That atmosphere has a strong influence over our emotions. . .and our art.  So when I write, I choose to surround myself with rich colours, luscious scents, and sounds that speak to my mood as much as possible.  And when it isn't possible to have all three, I try to have at least one of those elements present.  Here are my top five favorite spots to write in: three are real and two are my fantasy writing spaces.

My Bedroom

Walls drenched in a rich, cranberry red.  Curtains in cranberry toile.  Bookshelves overflowing.  And two desks: a solid maple that was my mother’s first gift to my father after they were married and a huge old desk that was a flea market find where I can spread out and reference my book collection while I write.

The Bathroom

I’m with Michelle Rafter on this one.  Growing up, sometimes the bathroom was the only place with any privacy!  Since inspiration can come anytime, anywhere and where better than under a steaming hot shower or a candle-lit bubble bath?

My Office

Sometimes I come in super early or stay uber late.  It’s rare, but sometimes in those off hours, I can accomplish a lot of writing, even if it’s only topic notes or story ideas.  And I’ve been known to dash off a poem or two at lunch.  Obviously no rich colours or pretty scents here, but Grooveshark is a lifesaver!



Inner Sanctum of Edna St. Vincent Millay, from Writer's Houses

Fantasy Spot 1 - Edna St. Vincent Millay’s Writing Sanctuary

I have to include this one.  What I wouldn’t give to have a spot like this!  Granted, I would paint the walls red or some other jewel tone and have multiple mood lighting.  But what I really crave [and need] is a library in my home.  A room with enough wall space for my book collection.  And my nice maple desk of course.



from A Storybook Life

Fantasy Spot 2 – A Quaint and Quiet Garden Shed

I found this while trolling the net for shed plans.  I’ve read of several artists who had little sheds built in their backyards where they could create in peace.  I would love to have something like this in my backyard, surrounded by nature.  Sort of like a playhouse for grown-ups.

What about you?  Is there a space where you’re at your creative best?  I’d love to hear!

Oremus pro invicem,

~ Mikaela