The Book Post

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,