“Each man reads his own meaning into New York”
A listserv I'm on was recently discussing the "where" of writing. An enterprising young writer asked if one has to live in New York to succeed in the art. Some of my associates lamented the lack of arts and culture in cities such as DC, while those from the middle of America rolled their eyes and replied that such a big place has got to have more "everything" than we have.
I adore New York. Do I think you have to live there? I don't know. I think the internet certainly helps. I'm kind of stuck in middle America now, but if I was going to pull up roots, the Big Apple would certainly be on my short list. Then again, so would the mountains of central Mexico, where I wrote most of my novel in one fell swoop last summer.
I think it's interesting that I now live in the town where my writing was first inspired 20 years ago, on a writer's retreat in middle school. I have easy access to some nearly untouched nature, yet can easily find my way to some artsy fartsy stuff in University towns nearby...not to mention an airport with some direct flights to my beautiful NYC.
Where do you think writers need to live? Where have you got most of your writing done? Do snowy climates help you stay indoors and just produce? Or do you need that zap of sunshine to get you going?
I’ve always wanted to write,although you have to be in the right place or the right mood to feel it begin to flow.I don’t think it matters what part of the world your in. I can be sat on a bench in a park or waiting for a bus and something will start me writing!
That inspiration does help Raymond! At the same time, part of being a successful writer is forcing yourself to write even when you don’t want to. (please, I should talk!!)
Anyway, I guess the question I was talking about on the listserv was referring to the “contacts” one can make in NYC, along with the fact that it’s the site of so very many headquarters- magazines, publishers, etc.
Hi Allena, I have posted another article at Article Scammers that some of your readers may be interested in reading. I was scammed again, but this time the guy is gone to far. If you feel this is not recommended reading for your readers, just delete it.
Thanks
Pam
I think that if you write what you know, you can write where you are. Big cities provide plenty of fodder, but that doesn’t mean you need to be there. Flannery O’Connor succeeded in the rural south. Nature has inspired countless writers. I started writing in a small town, with not much but my backyard and imagination to guide me.
I now live in a rural suburb outside of D.C., and I think people who are under the impression that there’s no arts and culture environment here are sadly mistaken.
Particularly if anything dealing with politics turns you on, writing here can be as exciting as anywhere I’ve been
Good writers, I think, make the most of what they have in front of them.
Thanks for the thoughts Steve! I do think that DC would be perfect for a couple of distinct genres.