Mar 3 2012

Office Space

Melissa Crytzer Fry

This was my office chair one day last week:

View of my outdoor office chair overlooking the Galiuro Mountains. I didn't raise the umbrella, for fear of taking off like Mary Poppins and setting sail over the mountains. Click to enlarge.

After packing the necessities for an afternoon in my temporary outdoor office, I navigated Betty (my Jeep) up some bumpy, but safe, remote desert roads. With laptop, highlighters, pens and index cards, I was prepared to knock out some fierce edits on my novel. This will be perfect, I thought. I love the desert. I love writing fiction. I surely have a winning combo on my hands. With such beautiful surroundings, I will crank out the most inspirational words and rock my edits like never before.

Wrong.

First, I had to get there (poking along like a tortoise as I gawked at the beautiful poppy, lupine, and globe mallow-covered terrain). Then I had to set up: select a pull-over spot with just the right view, park, properly position my office chair, and – of course – enjoy my healthy lunch.

I highly recommend a Jeep as THE ultimate way to toss a salad. My sexy red and yellow peppers, carrots, tomatoes and cukes, which all started at the top of the bowl, landed in the bottom of my low-sodium turkey/low-sodium cheese, romaine and spinach salad. Click to enlarge.

After lunch, I felt the need to simply be still. So, I sat with my eyes closed, face lifted toward the sun, the breeze whispering in my ears and tussling my hair. I watched two hawks dip and dive into the valley below me, then ride an invisible wave high into the azure skies. And I swear, moments before, I saw a golden eagle. My pictures did none of these acrobatic birds any justice, sadly.

Sombrero Butte peeks between a nearby barbed-wire fence, taunting me, “Come out and play, Melissa.” Click to enlarge.

Camera in hand, I thought, “Hey – I’ll do a self portrait of Betty and me.”

After multiple tries, I did manage to get my mug and Betty’s hood in this shot. Click to enlarge.

Then I thought, my blog readers will get a kick out of this. So I photographed the hilarious cattle guard sign.

As IF anyone would be crazy enough to ride a bicycle up this steep, rock-covered, unpaved, remote desert road into the mountains? Though I could share a funny story about what my uncle did to his front bicycle tire on a cattle guard. Click to enlarge.

I realized that many of you city slickers may not even know what a cattle guard is. So I took a close up, allowing you to see it in all of its glory.

Cattle guards are designed to stop cattle from crossing, and they eliminate the need for gates. The space between the irons is actually about the length of my size 7 shoe. So if Bessie DID get a hoof caught in there, she’d be in trouble. And supposedly, cows don’t like the instability of a cattle guard and avoid them at all costs. Click to enlarge.

Okay … So I was obviously a bit distracted in my outdoor office. That’s when I came up with Plan B: I figured if I were inside my Jeep, I could hunker down and get serious about my writing, free from distraction. I hopped in, pulled out my draft, and began to work over the steering wheel. Good thing the horn doesn’t work.

My intent was to finesse the opening lines of my draft, which are no longer the opening lines. Those edits didn't really happen until later ... much later.

About one page into my edits, I heard a rumble and looked up to see a C130 military transport plane flying overhead. Wow. How much bigger they look when you’re on top of a mountain, yourself! I was disciplined, though, and resisted the urge to take a photo … until another rumble followed right on the C13o’s tail.

I stumbled down and out of the jacked-up Jeep (it is tall and requires a hand grip and Nerf bars for me to get in and out). I had, in my viewfinder, the perfect shot of the second aircraft zipping by a half moon. I thought the lens cap was off and the camera was on. Well – that’s not how it went down. So I got this, instead:

This is a military fighter jet, an A10 Thunderbolt (thanks, hubby, for aircraft identification 101), also nicknamed “warthog” – a fact I like very much, given our desert pig friends, the javelinas. Click to enlarge.

So I hopped back into the solace of Betty’s interior and decided I would make use of the inside office I’d created in my outdoor-traveling-Jeep.

Laptop within reach and fully charged for the planned day of fast and furious writing. That shimmery plastic that resembles water in the background is not a mirage in the desert. It’s Betty’s zip-down window. Click to enlarge.

I looked at the time and realized the sun would soon be setting. Yes, I’d pissed the day away. And I really should have known this would happen. I know that if I’m not in a sterile environment and in complete silence, I can’t write. I can’t read. I can’t edit. Well, I can’t do much of anything except flop my head in every direction, looking, looking, thinking …

So I grabbed the laptop and decided I would at least do something. And that something is what you are reading now. I started this blog post.

I confess: Jeeps are not all that spacious when it comes to writing with a laptop and maneuvering giant binders. When I thrust my left hip and knee out the door, it worked a bit better. Self-made leg desk! Click to enlarge.

Eventually, I packed things in and started back down the mountain toward home, with nary a WIP word written. It will be of no surprise that – before arriving to the same old desk chair in my writing studio where I seem to best focus – the dazzling wildflowers demanded I pull over four times to take some shots of the setting sun as it danced on their petals.

These happy Mexican poppies and purple lupine made the trip worth it – even if the words didn’t go down on paper and the edits ended at page one. Click to enlarge.

I will try this experiment again, though. I want this “outdoor writing laboratory” to work. I want to be able to create in a place that moves me so – a place that plays a critical role in my WIP and my life. I think I can do it. Maybe if I don’t take my camera next time?

For Writers, Readers: Where is your favorite writing or reading spot? Are you afraid to change it for fear of bad juju? Should we try new spots or stick to tried and true? Would you have been as distracted as me? Should I try it again?

P.S. For those less outdoorsy types: I promise – next week’s post will bring with it a bit of fashion and time travel!


45 Responses to “Office Space”

  • Shary Says:

    I love your outdoor office, especially the wildflowers! I used to think I couldn’t write with distractions, but then I tried writing in a cafe. I got so much done! I guess it was the energy humming around me that helped me work. Maybe you can get that on another jaunt with Betty once the novelty has worn off a little.

    Sometimes I stare off into space when I work in my garden, but it does make me happy to write outdoors. The decrease in productivity is cancelled out by an increase in job satisfaction.

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    Melissa Reply:

    I hope you’re right; your cafe example gives me great hope. And, yes, job satisfaction is key, isn’t it?

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  • Jonathan Mugan Says:

    Very cool. I assume that you talk to the customer so that the engineers don’t have to?

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    Bill Lumbergh Reply:

    I guess Melissa didn’t get the memo. We’re putting new coversheets on all the TPS reports before they go out now.

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    Melissa Reply:

    Anyone completely confused by this thread? Lines from the MOVIE, “Office Space.” Bill Lumbergh is, of course, a character. Hilarious movie. Hilarious responses, Jonathan and “Bill.”

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  • Julia Munroe Martin Says:

    What an amazing working day — the outdoor writing laboratory might not have yielded specific WIP writing results but the inspiration…. priceless. Like you, I also yield most results sitting at one of the tables in my house; I have trouble concentrating other places, but I have on occasion set up to work in a place of natural beauty and inspiration — like overlooking the ocean — and I end up later being inspired in unexpected ways. And as you say… next time!

    p.s. My favorite part about this post, I’m not going to lie, is the lovely self portrait of you and Betty! I absolutely loved seeing you in your natural desert surroundings, Melissa. Very cool! 🙂

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    Melissa Reply:

    And maybe “being inspired in unexpected ways” is the greatest gift for a writer?! Yes, after all of the complaints about not being able to SEE me in the first Betty post, I figured I would try to do something more close-up. You should see the ones I took of me INSIDE Betty. Hilarious.

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  • Lara Schiffbauer Says:

    I know the feeling about planning something that should really be cool, and then having it not come to fruition. But, you got to have a great day, just not in the way you planned. Plus, you got a great blog post out of it. Every time I’ve tried to write somewhere besides where I normally do, I get lost in the new stimulii. I don’t mean to!

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    Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:

    We are kindred spirits, Lara. “Lost in the stimuli” — I think we need to have t-shirts printed up with that saying on them!

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  • K Says:

    I laughed out loud about your comment of “flop my head in every direction looking, looking, thinking…” I have seen this many times. You are a great pair of eyes, Melissa’s nickname from me, is eagle eye. She is so full of life, fun and comedy. I can’t wait to get back out to YOUR office space!

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    Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:

    Ha – yes, you of all people know the tendency for me to go floppy-necked as I hike … Or should I say when I STOP HIKING, swivel my head like an owl and go on a photography rampage. Can’t wait to get back out there with you!

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  • Cynthia Robertson Says:

    Your day was simply too fascinating to allow for writing, Melissa! Like you, I need quiet, and yes, kind of “sterile” so I don’t get distracted.

    I once brought my laptop on a camping trip Jim and I took. I was right in the middle of the first draft of my novel, and didn’t want to lose momentum, but didn’t want to insist we stay home either, since that hardly seemed fair to him.
    I couldn’t write a WORD! I got up everyday and made cofee and sat at the table in the camper. But I was horribly aware of waking my husband in the process, and then I heard every little rustle and creak he made in our bunk abouve the truck’s cab just feet away. And I worried he’d get up and disturb me…oh it was just awful, and impossible. So, now when we go away I just look at it like a break, and only bring my notebooks, in case of dire need to write.
    Still, your day sounds enchanted, even if no novel writing got done. And the lupine and poppies are lovely, as are YOU, my dear!

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    Melissa Reply:

    We are two peas in a pod. You pretty much described me (I’m known to become preoccupied with waking the spouse, or worrying about the spouse waking me — even in our house, which is an open loft, essentially, with no walls).

    I’m still going to try the outdoor writing gig again! In theory, such a place of inspiration SHOULD work :-).

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  • Leah Says:

    I’ve been tempted to sit outside when the weather’s nice and write. It never quite turns out the way I want. But I’ll still keep trying!

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  • Missy Olive Says:

    gorgeous Office! I love looking in to the lives of authors!

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  • Patrick Ross Says:

    I loved the photo of the cattle guards; it brought back memories of my time in AZ. Have you ever seen a faux cattle guard on a rural road? They’ll paint a bunch of lines between the fence posts on the pavement, and apparently they fool cattle who have experienced cattle guards into thinking they’ve come across another one! That’s what I remember learning, anyway. 🙂

    Oh, and thanks for adding me to your blogroll!

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    Melissa Reply:

    I had NO clue they did faux cattle guards; I guess it’s the Pavlovian response for cattle?

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    Patrick Ross Reply:

    A good way of putting it. It reminds me of people who line their yard with electric sensors that will zap their pet dog if the dog crosses them. The dog has to wear a bulky collar to trigger the zap. After awhile, the dog learns not to cross the edge of the yard, and they can take the bulky collar off. We’re all trainable, including me; after all, I’m a husband!

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  • Natalia Sylvester Says:

    I don’t think I’d be able to concentrate with such gorgeous surroundings, either, Melissa! But don’t feel bad–life is part of writing, after all! We have to draw inspiration from somewhere, and it seems that your “office” is perfect for that.

    My own desk faces a wall instead of the window looking out to the park because I know I focus better that way!

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    Melissa Reply:

    Yes, I’m like you — a boring wall is what helps me focus better. That won’t stop me from those inspiration breaks. As you said, life is part of writing!

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  • Jolina Petersheim Says:

    I absolutely LOVE to write/edit outside as well, Melissa! I will especially be glad once it warms up a little, and I can take Baby Girl with me. It is a little distracting, though, as we do have an influx of beautiful wildlife, too. At least you soaked up some sun in the process. Think of it like creative rays! 😉

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    Melissa Reply:

    Yes, woman, I’ve seen your trail cameras! Lots to look at … and now you’ll have Baby Girl distractions (wait – one baby girl is less distracting that a floor full of puppies!).

    But it IS so refreshing to be outside of the house.

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  • Mahesh Raj Mohan Says:

    For me, I think it depends on my mood. If I’m calm and centered, then I can work in any environment and feel inspired, even. But normally, I’m like you, I need silence and my usual surroundings to focus. Great pictures, as usual!

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    Melissa Reply:

    Calm and centered. I’m not sure I’m ever either of those things ;-).

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    Mahesh Mohan Reply:

    You always come off as both to me!

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  • Annie Neugebauer Says:

    I don’t blame you one bit! I couldn’t work there either – too pretty. And too many giant centipedes lurking in the background. 😉 (Kidding, kidding.) Maybe the problem is less about being outdoors and more about mobility? Instead of driving around, what if you picked a single spot and returned to it regularly? Then a little of the newness could wear off and routine could set in. Or you could just consider inspiration part of you work, and split your time up, not even trying to write while you’re out there. Either way, don’t forget the sunscreen! That’s some lovely pale skin you’ve got going on there. =)

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    Melissa Reply:

    You’re probably NOT kidding about the centipedes (we have the giant desert variety); I’m sure they were out there under plenty of rocks!

    I think your idea of choosing ONE spot is good, and choosing ‘new’ spots for creativity/inspiration is excellent. I was actually thinking about the single-spot option as I drove up the mountain. Great minds think alike!

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  • Rachna Chhabria Says:

    I loved your outdoor office, Melissa. Its cool. Maybe one day we will sit together in that place and write.
    My favourite place is my bed. With a pillow on my lap I can write for hours. But I do most of my writing at my desk.
    I have enabled name/URL on my blog so that WordPress writers can comment 🙂

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  • Siri Paulson Says:

    What a gorgeous jaunt! I loved what Shary said about “job satisfaction”, and some of the other posters’ points about inspiration.

    I have the great good fortune to be part of a writers’ group that rents a cabin for a week every year…sitting by a lake can be distracting all right, but it sure helps focus the mind knowing the other group members are all typing away industriously (at least I assume they are 😉 ). And if I do drift off once in a while, well, mental health breaks are important for a writer too!

    Practice can also help. I’ve trained myself to write in a coffee shop in my office building — it can be noisy and that’s not my optimal writing condition, but I’ve done it enough times now that my creative mind just knows it’s time to get to work. Probably helps that I take the same spot whenever I can.

    Good luck!

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    Melissa Reply:

    Oh would I LOVE to be a part of that writers’ group that rents a cabin. And I agree: the fact that others are writing probably helps! SO true, also, that mental breaks are a necessity.

    I do wonder if it all boils down to training and ritual, as your coffee shop situation seems to prove.

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  • Lori Parker Says:

    This is, without doubt, LITERALLY, my favorite post of yours. (ha!) So exactly me! I have grand visions of being the world-weary author in the corner of the coffeeshop, a regular, whose table is reserved and revered… Except all I can do when I’m there is play online or stare at a blank page. My kitchen table ain’t glitzy, but that’s where it’s happening. The jeep office is beyond the coolest, girl. You win the award!

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    Melissa Reply:

    So glad you liked this post (and I’m glad I am in good company when it comes to boring writing space choices). But why don’t you head out to AZ, and we’ll see if we can’t give it a go again? Surely the two of us can make it work. Or not.

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  • Erika Marks Says:

    This post is EXACTLY what I was talking about this morning at the Deb Ball. How can you ask that of yourself!? (Or Betty?;) ) Those incredible vistas (not to mention that mouth-watering salad!) are too hard to ignore. I’m with Lori–at my table and daydreaming of views like yours. Incredible. Thanks for taking us along for the ride, dear. Please do so anytime!;)

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    Melissa Reply:

    I know, Erika … rather bizarre how closely related our posts were. Any readers – head over to the Debutante Ball for Erika’s awesome (and always entertaining) post about cabin fever (http://www.thedebutanteball.com/?p=21800).

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  • StoriesAndSweetPotatoes Says:

    You’re so awesome. What a phenomenal day. I wrote some of my thesis outside in the sunshine because I’m pretty sure it was trying to kill me in my apartment where there were no witnesses.

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    Melissa Reply:

    And you continue to make me laugh so hard that I do the “Muttley.” You’re probably way too young to remember the cartoon of the laughing dog and his raspy laugh. But that’s what your comments do to me. They make me muttley.

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  • Country Wife Says:

    lol, loved your tossed salad! Great photos to go along with your outdoor writing experiment. I have tried to read or write out by the garden in the summer, under the apple tree, and with cats and cattle and butterflies and ugly flies, I am as distracted as you were! It seems inside on my couch next to the big window works the best for me. Enough of the outdoors to see without the wildlife interferences. 🙂

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    Melissa Reply:

    I think you may be on to something: still being able to “see” nature, but not being AS tempted by it. That won’t stop me from trying again, though!

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  • 47 Says:

    Sometimes the most serious part of writing and even editing doesn’t involve a pen. When I find myself driven to seek out places like that (for “Edits”) I don’t really go out there to dash apart my novel with a red pen. There’s a problem with my novel. A deep pervasive one that if I can just get the words to flow over that deep, secret part of mind…the “Genius in the back of my head” I call it, they’ll come back five times more perfect.

    It could be a realization that your MC’s inciting incident was really something else, or just a word change, but it always makes a huge difference.

    I guess what I’m trying to say is, maybe you didn’t get anything on paper, but you probably were still working. It’s really hard to explain.

    [Reply]

    Melissa Reply:

    Ah… I agree! Sometimes the biggest part of writing DOES happen in our heads, and among external surroundings. No doubt! You did a perfect job of explaining it, though I seriously went into the desert with the full intent of editing – something I’d wanted to try for awhile, even though I pretty much KNEW what would happen!

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  • Pamela Beason Says:

    I don’t usually write outdoors, but I routinely use solitary hikes and kayak expeditions to work through issues I run into while writing my novels. Somehow my brain just works better when my body is in motion, and nature always provides inspiration, especially since my mystery protagonist is an outdoor type. I always carry a little notepad & pen to jot down the solutions that occur to me. Thanks for a thoughtful post!

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    Melissa Reply:

    I couldn’t agree more, Pamela. I find that things have a way of working themselves out when I’m running, too. I’ve found that my iPhone has been very helpful in those instances: I’ll stop mid-run to record a memo with the recorder on the phone. Lifesaver on many occasions. So happy to see you on my blog.

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  • Nina Says:

    I think I’ve said something like this to you before . . . but have to say, I can’t believe we live in the same country. Your pictures are just amazing. And yes, totally appreciated the cattle sign.

    I was excited to see the WIP even in it’s blurred state!

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  • Katie Shea Says:

    What a fascinating and fun post! I love the way you share your ‘writing life.’

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  • Kacie Says:

    Just noticed your beautiful images and particularly of the cattle guard. Very observant of you to point out how the ‘gap’ widths in the cattle guard above can catch or snag a cows hoof. I’ve got several myself and it does happen…we go w/ concrete cattle guards now.

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