Writers' Homes

[Brandi_R]

Many writers (and non-writers) are fascinated with the homes and stomping grounds of famous authors. Poets & Writers Magazine recently profiled Writers' Houses a website that documents A. N. Devers literary pilgrimages to various authors' homes. Devers says of the writers fascination with other writers' homes:

“Writers often do a complicated dance around sitting down and writing. We are obsessed with other writers’ processes and behaviors—with a writer’s space: The room, the desk, the tools are all a part of the equation. Seeing the place where a successful author created her work can be encouraging and grounding. The writer’s space is proof it can be done.”

What do you think? Have you visited any famous authors' homes? Are you interested in taking a peek into the writing space of any specific author--whether living or long dead?

[drdln]

Yes, I have visited the home of "Gone with the Wind" writer in Atlanta, GA. It was quite inspiring.

[Darkkin]

Dunollie Castle Ruin in Oban, Scotland, may not be the home of a writer, but the footsteps of countless authors including Sir Walter Scott, Lord Byron, and Robert Burns have walked its grounds, myself among them.  It is a breathtaking place, almost magical in the atmosphere that clings to it...Haunting and lovely, it is a place that fosters dreams and flights of fancy.

[NJMetal]

Taking a more modernist approach to the subject, the two writer's houses I would love to visit would be Stephen King's and Michael Pollan's writing hut.  I know you can't tour either place publicly but they are two I can relate to most. 

King's is most noteworthy because my understanding is that the wrought iron fence that borders the property is fascinating in and of itself.  It features magical/mystical wrought iron creatures perched upon it and each Halloween he adds an additional creature to the fence.    I don't know if he still does this but I've known people who have gone to visit/stalk the property and heard the tales so I would love to see the fence if nothing else.  And while this is the house that King's early work built, imagine how many latter day classics were written there as well.

Michael Pollan's (former) writing hut in CT.  Obliviously the main reason to visit this modest edifice would be as the subject matter of his second book, A Place of My Own  which documents the construction of this personal space from idea to completed project.  Also not readily available to the public, you would have to befriend the current owners of the house to have a peek.  According to an afterward in a latter publication of the book, the house is used as a home office by the current owners.  While it doesn't function as Pollan's writing space I would still love to see the words on the page truly come to life with a visit.

[shadowcat80]

I haven't been to any author's homes, but I wonder if some authors home's are like mine own?  I got notebooks of story ideas every where, it's a mess to be honest, I then also have my text books from college, and other messes around.  I'm not sure I would want people to come to home if I was published right now. 

[Brandi_R]

Intriguing responses. I hadn't heard of Stephen King's elaborate fence. He's certainly come a long way from writing in a closet-sized space early in his career, which he describes in his book On Writing.

[TylerAE]

I would really like to visit James Patterson's house. He wrote the Maximum Ride series. I would also like to visit James Dashner's house in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

[RavynSky]

I am not too interested particularly in a writers home, I do find that I am excited or intrigued about the to places that might have been inspirational to them. Such as Key West and Havana where Hemingway spent a few years. Or maybe the White Horse Tavern In Manhattan NY. Where many poets and writers of the past liked to tip back a few adult beverages.

[shadowcat80]

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RavynSky wrote:

I am not too interested particularly in a writers home, I do find that I am excited or intrigued about the to places that might have been inspirational to them. Such as Key West and Havana where Hemingway spent a few years. Or maybe the White Horse Tavern In Manhattan NY. Where many poets and writers of the past liked to tip back a few adult beverages.

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Welcome to the forum, Ravyn, is that pronounced like Raven?  Anyways make yourself at home and enjoy yourself here, we're always glad to get new faces on the board.  Have a good day and happy reading

[RavynSky]

Hello Thanks for the welcome! yes I suppose I intended to use raven, but it was already taken.

[wyntermoon]

Although I haven't been to any authors homes, I used to live an hour away from Anne Rice, but she moved and so have I.  I would love to visit many author's homes, too many to mention.  I wonder if I would be nervous around them, or if I would be cool with them like any other person.  It is funny how people put author's and celebs on such a high pedestal.

[Brandi_R]

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RavynSky wrote:

I am not too interested particularly in a writers home, I do find that I am excited or intrigued about the to places that might have been inspirational to them. Such as Key West and Havana where Hemingway spent a few years. Or maybe the White Horse Tavern In Manhattan NY. Where many poets and writers of the past liked to tip back a few adult beverages.

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Oh, a great direction to take this! Key West, indeed.

[RavynSky]

Great point Wyntermoon, I know that I would definately be nervous. Yet how that might manifest, lol who knows. I might talk to much, become a mute or maybe behave perfectly normal.. I imagine not making a jerk out of myself is a rather high expectation

[drdln]

I don't know what I learnt from home visit to home of author of "Gone with the Wind" in Atlanta, GA. Inspiration, perhaps? But what kind of inspiration. I was already an author before visit. I don't think anything changed. For some it may be worth the efforts.