Writing rooms
here i write
Australian short story writer Glynis
when writing for a traditional magazine such
as People’s Friend or Ireland’s Own.
scrivens invites us on to her porch
I also use old diaries. My father used A4
ones to jot down appointments, leaving
untouched pages and unused space. No point
effective ‘keep away’ vibe. checking my mother’s diary – she dabbled in
W
null as told to Phil Barrington
Sitting here is like camping out in a rainfor- writing too, and the pages are full.
est. We have huge coco palms and during the In the past seven years only three of my
W
ith three children (kippers, to the day rainbow lorikeets and rosellas feast on stories have been written directly on to the
initiated) living at home, there isn’t the flowers. At dusk the ring-tailed possums computer and two of them sold. But it feels
space for a designated writing place inside. arrive, and often a fruit bat or two (horrid too final – I prefer to scribble things out, write
Don’t feel sorry for me because this works screeching creatures). Once a year there’ll be in margins, and add extra paragraphs here
quite well by giving me variety. We live in a kingfisher, and sometimes a baby kooka- and there. A few stories have been written
a ‘Queenslander’ – a wooden house, raised, burra. I couldn’t write if the TV or radio was when I’m in my pyjamas because I often get
with an L-shaped veranda on two sides. Built on, but the shrill chirping of crickets at dusk ideas in the evening, start the story, then fin-
in 1920, it has high ceilings, wide hallways doesn’t bother me. ish it the following morning, sitting in bed.
and pine floorboards. Most days I sit on the Sometimes I write with a pen, at others I’ll My other writing space is at Coolum Beach
veranda, decorated with its iron lace, sur- use a pencil. It makes me feel like a schoolgirl on the Sunshine Coast, where we have a
rounded by my clutter – half-finished stories, to sit sharpening them. Today I’m using a fine- beach house. The reclaimed dunes have been
articles to be edited, magazines, a puzzle point black pen because it feels right. For an planted with pandanus palms, gazanias and
book or two. If we’re expecting guests I’ll tidy entire month I used a blue pen in burnt orange a succulent called pigface. I am particularly
up by stuffing everything into a satchel. casing, a freebie for renewing my member- fond of writing there, no doubt reflected in
Mid-morning I reward myself with per- ship of the Queensland Writers Centre. the higher percentage of work I sell.
colated coffee (my son roasts coffee so I If I feel blocked I buy a range of different As a child we had daytrips there – five
am supplied with the best fresh beans in pens and notebooks. Mostly I use A4 school kids, two parents, and my grandmother all
Brisbane). Late afternoon my reward is exercise books but when writing something crammed into an old cream Holden. My
incense, usually frankincense. particularly meaningful, I’ll use one of the father always brought a pillow and a good
The veranda is an open area so I get inter- hardback notebooks my father hoarded all novel. He’d doze and read all afternoon in
rupted by people trying to convert us to his life. This one must date back to the 1930s the shade of the pines. The same ones are still
various religions or sell broadband schemes, or 1940s because on the inside front cover there – I’ve met the man whose grandmother
collect for charity etc. That’s life. The family he’s practised his signature. It takes me back planted them. I sit in Dad’s spot, overlooking
come and go but I’ve noticed that when I’m to my roots and keeps me on track. It feels the ocean and feeling grounded. Perhaps this
in the middle of writing I seem to exude an right to use one of these older notebooks is why I write my more fanciful stories there.
66 Writers
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forum #99
WF99JAN66.indd 1 24/11/2009 16:48:47
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