One book

Here's a horror story in the making:  you have been somehow forced to be able to read only one book for the rest of your life.  I suppose you could be stranded on a desert island, and that's the only book you have with you.  What book could you go back to over and over again, and still find something new in it each time you read it?

I suppose I would choose the Complete Works of William Shakespeare (of which I have owned three copies), but who would be heading for a deserted island with that huge tome in their suitcase? 

Your Life's Story

"If freedom of conscience has the right to exist anywhere, it must be in matters of love."-Victor Hugo.  And that is my answer to today's question:  If you could choose any writer to write your life's story, which writer would you choose?  Or, would you choose to write your own, rather than have someone else write it for you?

Where in the world?

I always thought my dream setting, not just for writing, but for life in general, would be a cabin in the mountains on a lake.  Water and mountains were the key ingredient.  I saw this place once.  It was  in a painting by Maxfield Parrish called "House at the End of the World."  But over the years I've come to realize (mostly due to financial challenges) that the setting isn't important for getting the work done, it's the solitude.

Describe your dream writing setting: cabin in the woods, house on the beach, up in the mountains, down in the valley?

Writing and Food

Does anyone else experience this?  After a couple of hours of writing, even after a big meal, I find myself starving.  Writing makes me hungry.  What’s your favorite snack to keep you going when writing?

Time won't give me time

I suppose all of this week's questions have to do with the nitty-gritty of being a writer.

Early riser or night owl?  When do you write? When do you write best?

I have recently discovered, by putting myself on crazy writing schedules, that I seem to work well early, late afternoon, and late evening, after 9 or so.  I guess it's just a matter of stopping a few times a day and trying, trying again. 

Getting it down

I use two methods to write.  It used to be three, but I could no longer find ribbons for my typewriter.  I used to compose poetry on a typewriter, because I believe that it is important to see the whole page when composing poetry.  You cannot do that very well on a computer screen.  I often begin with pen on paper.  It has to be a black, extra fine point pen, no gel ink.  I write on an 8.5x11 sheet folded in three and write sideways on each fold.  By the time I'm done I have about 250-300 words on each section.  This enables me to work on six different prompts and I can carry it in my pocket.  Then I go to the computer and type it all in, editing while I'm typing.

Pen, pencil, fountain pen, laptop, tablet…what is your preferred method of writing and why?

Non-fiction bookshelf

So, if you've been following along all week, you know that we have been building a bookcase.  Each shelf of the book case is arranged by genre in order of preference.  Today, the shelf we are building consists of non-fiction works.  This could include self-help, history, autobiography, social commentary, etc. 

I think the first book I'm going to place on the shelf is The History of the World in Six Glasses.  The funny thing is, the book wouldn't stay there long.  I am constantly lending this book to friends and fellow readers.  It's just so damn good. 

How about you?  What book are you placing first on your fantasy non-fiction bookshelf?