The Book Post

The Three Desks of James Phelan.

With all this talk of writing spaces, we've heard a great deal about alternate writing desks (Kathy Charles and her pug, for example) hot-desking (Hot-Desking With Tom Cho) and now, multiple desks...

Do you have a different desk for each of your writing tasks?

James Phelan does. He is a novelist, PhD Lit candidate at Swinburne University of Technology, and fellow bibliophile. His novels include Fox Hunt (Hachette 2006), Patriot Act (2007), Blood Oil (2008), and Liquid Gold (2009), and I was one of the authors to feature in his first book Literati: Australian Contemporary Literary Figures Discuss Fear, Frustrations and Fame (John Wiley & Sons 2005). So with all this writing going on, just how many desks does one young, prolific author need?

Three.

'Ok, confession. I have three desks, for different parts of my writing life,' James explains.

#1. 'My PhD desk. I'm on 6 month leave at the moment to get my next novels done. I swear it's not normally that messy!' Note the white boards, filing cabinets and copious clutter, presently without enough space for even a laptop. Also featured are posters of his novel covers, erected to inspire further writing.

#2. 'My writing desk, where I do my novels and the occasional short story. That said, I start each morning at a local cafe where I type on the laptop or write up notes over a few strong coffees... so that's yet another desk. (Yep, he's a hot desker, too. And fellow caffeine addict.) Note the Vanity Fair magazine, multiple novels, pens, paper and small reading light. This area is without frills.

#3. 'My editing desk, aka the dining table. I like it because it's full of natural light, and I can really spread out.' James is one of those rare young authors to make plenteous hand-written notes. A sole plant placed in the centre of the table offers oxygen in times of intense editing.

Are you a multi-desker, or hot-desker? Do you rotate your writing areas like some rotate their linen, careful not to wear out any one spot? Or do you just have a different area for each of your writing tasks?

Tell us about it, and check back soon for I've Shown You Mine, Now Show Me Yours, Part XII.

Happy reading,

I've Shown You Mine, Now Show Me Yours, Part XI.

The call to 'Show Me Your Writing Desk' has so far given us a voyeuristic peek at the private writing rooms of a number of prolific authors. Part XI of our series features the desks of Leigh Redhead, James Massola and Ian McLean, proving once again, there is no 'right' place to write...

Left: The writing area of Leigh Redhead, creator of Simone Kirsch - 'ex-stripper, sex kitten, private investigator' - in the saucy novels Peepshow, Rubdown and Cherry Pie. 'It's actually my desk at the Hanoi school where I'm teaching English, History and ESL,' she explains. 'I get more writing done at school during free periods, recess and lunch than at home, probably because I'm not supposed to be writing, which makes it naughty and therefore fun.' Redhead finds the 'back to the wall position' helpful, as 'kids can't sneak up on me and discover the violence and depravity that lurks in kind, sweet, Miss Leigh's head.' (We went head to head at the Ned Kelly Awards Debate in 2008 and she won hands down with her persuasive debating and exotic dancing skills). Redhead's occupations have included stripper, lingerie waitress, masseuse, chef, and now arse-kicking crime author - in fishnets.

Middle: The desk of James Massola, writer and political reporter for the Canberra Times. The desk features headphones, keys, coffee cups, Senate estimates books, scraps of papers, dictionaries, post-it notes, and Odgers' guide to Senate practice. Notebooks betray the desk's utilitarian function: 'finding the next story'. On the wall can be found cartoons by Leunig, Pope and First Dog on the Moon, between phone lists for government and opposition. Keen eyes will also spot a Demons pen tin, a C3PO figurine, and Oscar Wilde's 'all art is quite useless' intro from The Picture of Dorian Gray. 'Political journalism is not high art as Wilde defined it, nor is it 'quite useless' - despite what some people say," James explains. 'I take being a reporter seriously. It's a privilege and the quote reminds me of that, and also to write well.' Note that the monitor on his desk shows an image of the desk. (Could the monitor in that image show a monitor showing that image showing a monitor showing...?)

Right: The writing desk of Ian McLean, who says he was 'fortunate enough to be presented with a unique piece of Australian television history to use as my writing space - the specially commissioned partnership desk made for Don Cash and Bill Harmon, co-producers of the cult Australian TV soap opera of the 1970s, Number 96.' The desk is a Ron Barossi design, in rosewood with pine trim. The desk divider is a set of built in drawers with filing cabinet. Both the Bill Harmon side of the desk and one of the bins show evidence of many a stubbed-out cigarette, another relic of Australian 70s showbiz. As a further piece of history, Ian explains that 'writer Nancy Cash, widow of Don Cash, used this desk to write her first novel for agent Selwa Anthony in the 90s' (Both Ian and I share the same agent.) Ian hopes the desk has some magic in it. "I have the dubious honor of being Selwa Anthony's longest serving client who's never earned her any money.' We are rooting for you, Ian. Success is just a novel away...

Quid pro quo. We've shown you ours, now show us yours in the comments below, and I'll continue to post the best on The Book Post....

Happy reading,

Bibliophile Porn, Part X - The Book Room.

Ah, the thousands of pages, the millions of words, (the inevitable paper cuts)! This 'Book Room' is the creation of a true bibliophile. I want this room. I want to read in this room. I want to know how this image was taken. And where. And by whom. And... Sadly this image was not credited online, so I don't know the origins or story behind it. Please, if you know about this room or image, comment below.

(I'll be shattered to find it is a figment of Photoshop...)



Update: Thanks to Janine, in the comments below, we have found the credit for this image. It is called 'House of Books', courtesy of Joana A. at JPG Mag. The books are apparently stapled right into the wall. Brilliant. Click on the link and let Joana know what you think of this striking image.

I've Shown You Mine, Now Show Me Yours, Part X.

The call to 'Show Me Your Writing Desk' has so far given us a voyeuristic peek at the private writing rooms of a number of prolific authors. Part X of our series features the desks of Will Elliott, Sarah Wilson and Jack Heath...

Left: The desk of Will Elliott, author of the novel The Pilo Family Circus, and the memoir Strange Places, about his journey through schizophrenia. Will's desk is not usually so tidy, as it is 'a recent upgrade.' This upgrade took an entire day to assemble, resulting in a foot gash among other injuries. (Writing can be dangerous, remember.) Because of its newness, we are robbed of the chance to see the character drawings he would normally have on the wall above it. Of the few items present on this new desk, a dictionary sits to the left, and a glass of water can be seen front and centre. Also seen is a CD sleeve for Devin Townsend presents: Ziltoid the Omniscient - 'a concept album about an alien who has come to Earth seeking the perfect cup of coffee' (We recently talked monsters (though not aliens) on Jennifer Byrne Presents 'Monsters and Bloodsuckers'.)

Middle: The tidy, uncluttered and visually beautiful desk of Sarah Wilson, writer, blogger, Foxtel presenter and host of MasterChef's huge first season. Sarah's white laptop is propped up, and flanked by flowers and plants. On the wall are three framed nature scenes. On the right is an overflowing pen holder, candles and yellow flowers, and appropriately enough, a wholesome glass of water. (Sarah is an ambassador for FebFast, and has encouraged friends, including myself, to quit booze for Feb to fundraise.) Of her desk area, she says she is 'keeping it simple.' Clever cropping means we will never know if she has the usual hazardous tangle of computer cords under her desk. Personally, I suspect there is a rose garden under there.

Right: The desk of Jack Heath, author of The Lab, Remote Control, Money Run and Third Transmission, and ACT Young Australian Of The Year 2009. (See, they don't always pick athletes) Jack's desk is nuzzled into a corner, next to a large book shelf of novels. More novels are stacked above it, and binders and text books are stored to the left of it, under a keyboard. A lone plant looks to be surviving in a small blue pot. Taped to the wall is Jack's 'ideas sheet', which he finds helpful because he has 'the recall of a stoned goldfish,' he says. There is also a model Dalek made out of a styrofoam cup and a tangle of cords that 'would be illegal in any other workplace'.

Quid pro quo. We've shown you ours, now show us yours in the comments below, and I'll continue to post the best on The Book Post....

Happy reading,

I've Shown You Mine, Now Show Me Yours, Part IX.

The call to 'Show Me Your Writing Desk' has so far given us a voyeuristic peek at the private writing rooms of a number of prolific authors. Our series continues in Part IX with the writing desks of Angela Meyer, Natalie Walton and Melinda Hutchings...

Left: The desk of Angela Meyer, Melbourne-based 'Gen Y writer', reviewer, editor and blog-mistress of ‘Literary Minded’. (I call her 'The Lit-Hunter’). Her desk is tall, and features a number of CDs, multiple stacks of books, a large overflowing pen holder, a rolled Pink Floyd poster (at right), and two Marilyn Monroes, including the screen siren's disembodied head. On Angela's desk is a DVD of the 2008 movie Hunger, (Not The Hunger, 1983, my fav vampire film) written and directed by Steve McQueen. (No, not that Steve McQueen.)

Middle: The desk of writer Natalie Walton, deputy editor of Real Living magazine and blogger at Daily Imprint & Babyccino Kids. Natalie’s rather beautiful desk is the first to feature actual color coded book/desk organization, but despite the visual beauty she says it is ‘very much a work in progress. Note the wobbly leg, which I'm ashamed to say has been like that for years!’ Check out her blog for more inspired desk gorgeousness.

Right: The desk of Melinda Hutchings, author, motivational speaker and campaigner for eating disorder and body image issues. Her tall desk is decorated with multiple framed photographs of her friends and family. Her laptop screen is open to her Twitter account, and on her desk there are a number of books, journals, a camera, a phone, and empty coffee container. Melinda’s third book Why Can’t I Look the Way I Want? was published last year. (The Book Post covered the launch). Her fourth book Everything’s Gonna Be Okay will be published in July, and she is working madly on her fifth novel at this very desk.

Quid pro quo. We've shown you ours, now show us yours in the comments below, and I'll continue to post the best on The Book Post....

Happy reading,

So, Do You Hot-Desk?

With our Book Post desk series 'I've Shown You Mine, Now Show Me Yours' clocking up to Part VIII so far, I am hearing a lot about alternate writing areas and even alternating writing areas, or what we might call 'Hot-Desking'. Hot-desking is when a writer chooses to use multiple writing locations in a 24 hour period.

Writer and artist Tom Cho, author of Look Who’s Morphing, recorded 24 hours of his writing locations for The Book Post to demonstrate a classic case of productive hot-desking...

#1. Cafe. Note the writer-friendly beverage of choice, partially consumed pastry and number 18. Though I find public places too distracting for writing, Tom is one of the many writers who find cafes creatively stimulating. 'I can write and study in all kinds of places," Tom explains. 'When I was an undergrad in my 20s, there was even a period when I used to go to McDonalds to study'.

#2. Study. This is the traditional writer's desk area. Note the paperwork, clips, stapler and the two books being used to elevate his monitor. Tom tells me that before their current function, these books were used for his PhD. Keen eyes may also notice the monitor reflection our hot-desker, Tom. The creative use of the can of WD-40 remains a mystery. (Could this be a new kind of creative lubricant?)

#3. Uni. At this location Tom has been writing at a spool and thread 'spindle' table in the library of his university. Sunglasses and study texts are pictured.

#4. Bed. Tom's reading material in this classic hot-desking location include Philosophy of Religion: Toward a Global Perspective and The Essential Lenny Bruce. 'Sometimes I write sitting on the bed, as I am now. But other times, I get in the bed and work from there.'

I am a confessed hot-desker, regularly using 2 alternate writing areas, including my bed, where I wrote most of Siren.

What about you? Do you hot-desk?

Check back soon for more of the writing desks of working authors in our 'I've Shown You Mine, Now Show Me Yours' series...

Happy reading,

I've Shown You Mine, Now Show Me Yours, Part VIII.

The call to 'Show Me Your Writing Desk' has so far given us a voyeuristic peek at the private writing rooms of Dominic Knight, Joshua Cilento, James Bradley, Lindy Cameron, Judith Ridge, Tracey O' Hara, Joshua Lee, Rhys Muldoon, Tara Bradford, Emma Tom, Sophie Ward, Lee Tulloch, Clem Bastow, Morgan Christie, Maggie Alderson, Kathy Charles, Nick Earls, and Sandra Lee. We've seen anarchic and neat, utilitarian and embellished, temporary and purpose-built. Further adding to the theory that there is no 'right' writing space, so long as it works for the writer, The Book Post desk series continues with Marianne de Pierres, Derek Motion and John Birmingham:

Left: The intentionally stark writing corner of Marianne de Pierres, author of the Parrish Plessis and Sentients of Orion science fiction series and Tara Sharp crime series (written under the pseudonym Marianne Delacourt). She says, ‘When we moved house recently, I lost my dedicated office and inherited this open plan space. I hate not being able to shut the door to the world but I love the window onto the garden, and the easy accessibility of the area. The wall is deliberately blank because I’d spend way too much time staring at it otherwise.’

Middle: 
The desk of Derek Motion, published poet, PhD student at CSU and Director of the Booranga Writers’ Centre is sandwiched into a
 closed off fireplace, with the mantel functioning as a poetry shelf. The desk was a gift from his mother, and doesn't have a room of its own. Thus it tends to become ‘a 
graveyard for various oddments, coffee cups, empty cd cases, bunnings
 catalogues etc.’ And a 25 key midi keyboard.

Right: The writing desk of John Birmingham, author of He Died With A Felafel In His Hand, How To Be A Man, Off One's Tits, and the Axis of Time and Without Warning novel series, seen in ‘deadline glory’. The desk area features used coffee cups, wine glasses, and a bottle of Wonga Estate Pinot Noir 2007, and a work bench that runs the length of one wall and is divided into two areas, one digital, one analogue. At the analogue end (right) are two printed manuscripts, ‘one from my local publisher and one from New York’. John's office is purpose built, and overlooks a small rain forest. It is physically cut off from the rest of the house and insulated for sound –‘ has to be with two kids at home’ he explains. And it’s not really as misty as it looks. ‘Scuse the penthouse fuzzy lens. forgot to clean me iPhone.’

Quid pro quo. We've shown you ours, now show us yours, and I'll continue to post the best on The Book Post....

Happy reading,

I've Shown You Mine, Now Show Me Yours, Part VII.

The invitation to Show Me Your Writing Desk has given us a fascinating look at the real writing rooms of working authors. The Sydney Writers' Festival, and Paper Castle Press have been enjoying the series, The Cricket Wife loves Maggie Alderson's 'mood board', and Girl With A Satchel calls The Book Post desk series 'pervy' in her pop culture picks this week. Let the voyeurism continue, I say. Temporary spaces, eye strain and our home planet feature today, as we look at the writing desks of Dominic Knight, Joshua Cilento and James Bradley:

Left: The temporary writing space of Dominic Knight, novelist, 'misanthrope' and one of the founding members of The Chaser. His antique desk currently lives amongst his storage in a large warehouse space shared with artists. The space features blank DVD discs, a yellow candle, flouro pink basketball hoop and golf clubs, forever tempting distraction. He also spends time writing in the less distracting surrounds of his local cafe, which I'd say is probably wise. Dominic's debut novel is Disco Boy, and his second novel is due out soon. (I covered the launch of Disco Boy on my ABC blog last year.)

Middle: The writing desk of James Bradley, author of Wrack, The Deep Field and The Resurrectionist lives in a temporary nook, after a recent move and the birth of a second child. Squeezed under the window in a bedroom, it looks over an old railway building and trees. He says his current set up - seen here with moving boxes and ever growing piles of books - is hard to keep organized. 'I'm a teensy bit of a neat freak when it comes to my desk and study, too much inner disorder to cope easily with external disorder, I suppose.' But despite an eight week old baby, a 'feral' three year old and this cramped space, he has managed to write' half a novel and a pile of book reviews in the last couple of months, so something's clearly working.' Also shown is a can is Diet Coke, which James admits is something he drinks too much of, 'along with the four double espressos a day. No wonder I can never sleep.'

Right: The desk of writer, producer and musician Joshua Cilento features three computer screens (our highest number of simultaneously operating computer screens in this series so far), a journal, CD cases sitting on a neatly folded copy of the Sydney Morning Herald and its crossword, partially completed. It also features numerous images of his home planet, Earth. He calls this desk area 'JC's Hall of Eye Strain' and we can see why.

Quid pro quo. We've shown you ours, now show us yours, and I'll continue to post the best on The Book Post....

Happy reading,

I've Shown You Mine, Now Show Me Yours, Part VI.

The invitation to Show Me Your Writing Desk in all its creative glory has revealed some fascinating examples of the writing rooms of working authors. The feline element features strongly today as we look at the writing desks of authors Lindy Cameron, Judith Ridge and Tracey O' Hara. Look closely, and count the cats...

Left: The writing space of Lindy Cameron, national co-convenor of Sisters in Crime Australia and author of five novels including the thriller Redback, and the Kit O'Malley mysteries. Her desk was built by her girlfriend Chele, and features multiple books and felines. Also visible are numerous posters and framed images of Xena the Warrior Princess. Lindy has four cats, including Xena and Emmett who are shown in this photo. (Emmet is partially shown, far right) 'They keep me in the real world by purring and demanding food, while Xena says inspiring things to me like, "I like to be creative in a fight. It gets my juices going", and '"I have many skills," Lindy jokes.

Middle: The desk of writing teacher and children's and youth literature specialist Judith Ridge. Her desk is piled with children's toys and books. The baby photo on her screen is of her mother, circa 1928. One of her two cats, Cooper (a rescue from the RSPCA) sits contentedly in her window blinds. On and around her desk are numerous books on narrative theory (left over from her MA thesis), writing guides, children's and YA books she is using for her course in writing children's books. Judith's mug is full of felt pens, and spells out the helpful suggestion, 'Drink Me'.

Right: The writing desk of Urban Fantasy writer Tracey O'Hara features a number of dragons, including a 'dragon throne' for her new iPhone and a dragon riding a Harley motorcycle. (This has a broken wing thanks to one of her four cats. Her cat Gizmo is shown, but may not be the guilty party.) Tracey says she would be lost without her dual screen set up. 'It’s fabulous for doing edits and I would find it extremely difficult to go back to one.' I don't think her desk is particularly messy, but she does. 'I heard that a messy desk is the sign of a creative mind. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.' Also featured is an environmentally friendly green shopping bag (lower left), and a stand up display of the cover of her latest novel, Night's Cold Kiss (upper right).

Did you count the cats?

Quid pro quo. We've shown you ours, now show us yours, and I'll continue to post the best on The Book Post....

Happy reading,

I've Shown You Mine, Now Show Me Yours, Part V.

The open call to Show Me Your Writing Desk in all its raw, unedited glory, has revealed some wonderfully contrasting examples of the writing rooms of working authors. After the layered chaos of the boys featured in Part IV, it's time to share the colorful desks of writers Tara Bradford, Emma Tom and Sophie Ward, each an adventuress is her own right...

Left: The desk of writer, photographer and activist Tara Bradford. Her beautiful cabinet d' curiositie is a Napoleon III bookcase, which belonged to a professor at the Sorbonne. The red bookcase is from Sante Fe, New Mexico. Her desk features an 'Arts & Crafts clock, Art Nouveau frame featuring a photo of an unknown French soldier, two Napoleon III globes, a 19th-century wooden sewing basket holding stationary, and several 18th-century books.' More at her blog.

Middle: The desk of Emma Tom, award-winning journalist, author, broadcaster and regular columnist for The Australian. The walls of her office are painted a 'womb-like' red, and her desk area features flowers, highlighter pens, and a bulletin board bursting with images and inspiration. On her desk sits an 'industrial sized cup of coffee ready to kickstart the day', while her screensaver displays Word Of The Day, 'exude'. (A screensaver I also run.) Her latest book is Attack of the Fifty-Foot Hormones.

Right: The desk of writer and model Sophie Ward, which doubles as HQ for her Paper Castle Press. Contained in a small room in Brooklyn, Sophie's desk boasts all manner of inspiration, including some Henry Miller, Maurice Sendak, old watercolour postcards, letters from fans, an origami horse, coaster, envelopes, books, journals, her own 'I love trees' collage, and what she calls 'remnants of my life'. She describes her writing space as 'Sparse but colorful.' Her novel, The Beginning of an Inexplicable Journey, will be released this year.

Quid pro quo. We've shown you ours, now show us yours, and I'll continue to post the best on The Book Post....

Happy reading,