The place where I always write is at my little wooden desk sitting on my non-ergonomic chair.
However, when it comes to streets, I think my favourite is High Street, in Nelson, BC, Canada, where I used to live.
There are so many wonderful things about it. In this hilly town, it's one of the few streets that runs adjacent to downtown, so hills can be avoided between home and town. It's also beautiful, with many different kinds of trees lining it. And there are people of mixed incomes, so is non-homogenous. There's even a house that is shaped like a boat with gargoyle on top of it.
It's the preferred walking route from Fairview to downtown, so it's a great place to run into people.
I used to look up from my desk out my front window and see who was walking by on High Street, and I miss that view.
Diana, the interior designer in me is worried about your 'non-ergonomic chair'. I have a chair that incorporates micro movements so that my body is always working and I don't realise it most of the time... backache is something I'm very wary of, especially since I sit quite a bit. But don't let me go on about that. 😊
I appreciate you taking the time to comment. The High Street you mention in Nelson sounds so very interesting. Have you written about it? The house shaped like a boat must have some stories hidden within don't you think? To know a street well is to love it I think.
I don't know the story behind the boat. But I do know my neighbour who lives there a little bit, at least enough to chat when I walk by and he was in the garden. A character for sure! And something that wows visiting friends. My heart warms just thinking about it.
And I'll have to look into getting an ergonomic chair...
Wonderful, Yasmin. I want to get my hands on this book! Well, both of them.
I use place a lot in my writing. I also draw on Benjamin's Arcades Projects in my thoughts about this, even though I'm talking about my fiction writing. Thanks for sharing with us.
I'm glad you enjoyed the post, Kathleen. The book should be available in university libraries. I intend to explore further how place is used in fiction and poetry as, presently, I'm immersed in creative non-fiction.
When I read, I am often caught by writers who actively use real places in a very specific way, naming streets, using neighbourhoods and their qualities. This quality of being caught leads me very quickly into the story in a deeper way than where that isn’t a main feature of the writing. It happens, as in your example of Maxwell Street, in non fiction; but, it is most effective - for me - in fiction.
I think it is the curious quality of the writer combining the fictional world they create with the factual world of the place in which they set it. When that’s combined with the writer’s ability to bring weather, for example, into the work it is very powerful. Barbara Vine, to name just one of many writers who seem to have an intrinsic grasp of this (actually, I could name several who really touch me in this regard) does this very eloquently in her novels.
When I write, and I make no claim to be Barbara Vine, this quality is very important for me. I think it is, perhaps, something to do with frequency: thinking of how to recreate a street, an area, in words helps me tune in to the frequency of the story I’m writing…when I can actually see the characters in the real location, I find the frequency becomes clearer and entering something like a flow state more possible.
Thank you for your re-stack on Notes, and for your thoughts about location in fiction, Nicolas. I'm not familiar with Barbara Vine, so I'll take a look.
I've had some lovely conversations with fiction writers about how they use place as a 'character' in fiction and I'm really interested in this even though I mostly write non-fiction. And, I like the idea of the writer attaining a 'flow state', as you put it, when using a real location for their characters.
I'm reminded very much of the markets in Asia that supply all manner of goods, sadly, many have disappeared due to district gentrification - similarly, the street eateries and hawker areas. Of course, and against the odds, some still function, we just have to look a little harder to find them.
Ben, thank you for sharing your reminiscence. I wonder how large the markets were that you remember - I imagine them covering a wide area. Street markets in England seem to get smaller and smaller, and stalls sell more gift-type goods than essentials. I agree, gentrification has a lot to do with it. Locally, here in Cambridgeshire, we have a regular weekly market as well as specialist Vegan markets and Craft markets etc, with goods selling at sky-high prices. Even on the stalls that sell basics, like the bread stall, they charge crazy money for a loaf. Markets make a great topic for place-based creative writing!
Yasmin, size varied from place to place, could be a simple street only or whole blocks. Prices were generally low as it catered for the local people more than travellers or tourists. I remember in Hanoi, there were whole blocks given over to a single trade. For example, one block was full of stores for building materials, one for motorcycle parts, one for textiles etc. It was odd to see so many shops all selling the same thing and in one area only !
It's always seemed a mystery to me as to why traders selling similar products congregate, jostling for customers, elbow to elbow so to speak. Yet, as a buyer, there's nothing better!! I guess, if your competitor is there, you need to be as well. I hope you'll write about these markets, Ben. Let me know if you do.
Where do I start! Well to begin with I will try and find that book! It sounds like something I would enjoy. Like I enjoy your "Place writing". I am not a writer, but I do ART and quite a lot of collage!
Thank you for your lovely comment, Carol, and I'm glad you enjoy Place Writing. Since you're keen on collage you might be inspired by Maxwell Street. It's not a traditional 'artsy' book, but the way the author brings together the feeling of the place is quite remarkable. It would be very interesting to take the concept of Cresswell's literary 'assemblage' and try to replicate it using mixed media for a piece of visual art.
Oh yes, James. Portobello Road would make a fantastic subject in its own right. I think it's been used a lot in fiction, film etc. But what fun to spend some time there, to keep returning, and then to write about the comings and goings.
Fascinating to think about this bricolage method to place writing. My library has a copy of this book and I've got to take a look now. Thanks for the reference.
Hi Jill. It is a different way of place writing for sure. I quite like it. I think that what Cresswell has done, i.e. his method, could be developed further by a creative writer. The book certainly set me off down some rabbit holes, as they say.
Congratulations again, Ian, on gaining your PhD! I'm not reeling from mine yet as I have some minor corrections to do, so I'm still not quite finished. But almost there! I hope to be moving on to other things soon. My mission for 2024 will be to try and get the book that forms the main part of my thesis lodged with a publisher. I'd love to see it in print as it's written for a wide audience.
I think you'll like Maxwell Street. Tim has an easy way with words and this book is quite a collection of ideas. Your community mapping project sounds interesting... do tell us more when you can!
I was lucky enough to have the Co-Directors of the Centre for Place Writing at MMU as my PhD supervisors: David Cooper and Rachel Lichtenstein. I love Rachel's books - great examples of place writing!
The place where I always write is at my little wooden desk sitting on my non-ergonomic chair.
However, when it comes to streets, I think my favourite is High Street, in Nelson, BC, Canada, where I used to live.
There are so many wonderful things about it. In this hilly town, it's one of the few streets that runs adjacent to downtown, so hills can be avoided between home and town. It's also beautiful, with many different kinds of trees lining it. And there are people of mixed incomes, so is non-homogenous. There's even a house that is shaped like a boat with gargoyle on top of it.
It's the preferred walking route from Fairview to downtown, so it's a great place to run into people.
I used to look up from my desk out my front window and see who was walking by on High Street, and I miss that view.
Diana, the interior designer in me is worried about your 'non-ergonomic chair'. I have a chair that incorporates micro movements so that my body is always working and I don't realise it most of the time... backache is something I'm very wary of, especially since I sit quite a bit. But don't let me go on about that. 😊
I appreciate you taking the time to comment. The High Street you mention in Nelson sounds so very interesting. Have you written about it? The house shaped like a boat must have some stories hidden within don't you think? To know a street well is to love it I think.
And thank you so much for your re-stack!
I don't know the story behind the boat. But I do know my neighbour who lives there a little bit, at least enough to chat when I walk by and he was in the garden. A character for sure! And something that wows visiting friends. My heart warms just thinking about it.
And I'll have to look into getting an ergonomic chair...
👍 👍 👍
Wonderful, Yasmin. I want to get my hands on this book! Well, both of them.
I use place a lot in my writing. I also draw on Benjamin's Arcades Projects in my thoughts about this, even though I'm talking about my fiction writing. Thanks for sharing with us.
I'm glad you enjoyed the post, Kathleen. The book should be available in university libraries. I intend to explore further how place is used in fiction and poetry as, presently, I'm immersed in creative non-fiction.
Hey, thank you for this.
When I read, I am often caught by writers who actively use real places in a very specific way, naming streets, using neighbourhoods and their qualities. This quality of being caught leads me very quickly into the story in a deeper way than where that isn’t a main feature of the writing. It happens, as in your example of Maxwell Street, in non fiction; but, it is most effective - for me - in fiction.
I think it is the curious quality of the writer combining the fictional world they create with the factual world of the place in which they set it. When that’s combined with the writer’s ability to bring weather, for example, into the work it is very powerful. Barbara Vine, to name just one of many writers who seem to have an intrinsic grasp of this (actually, I could name several who really touch me in this regard) does this very eloquently in her novels.
When I write, and I make no claim to be Barbara Vine, this quality is very important for me. I think it is, perhaps, something to do with frequency: thinking of how to recreate a street, an area, in words helps me tune in to the frequency of the story I’m writing…when I can actually see the characters in the real location, I find the frequency becomes clearer and entering something like a flow state more possible.
Thank you for your re-stack on Notes, and for your thoughts about location in fiction, Nicolas. I'm not familiar with Barbara Vine, so I'll take a look.
I've had some lovely conversations with fiction writers about how they use place as a 'character' in fiction and I'm really interested in this even though I mostly write non-fiction. And, I like the idea of the writer attaining a 'flow state', as you put it, when using a real location for their characters.
I'm reminded very much of the markets in Asia that supply all manner of goods, sadly, many have disappeared due to district gentrification - similarly, the street eateries and hawker areas. Of course, and against the odds, some still function, we just have to look a little harder to find them.
Ben, thank you for sharing your reminiscence. I wonder how large the markets were that you remember - I imagine them covering a wide area. Street markets in England seem to get smaller and smaller, and stalls sell more gift-type goods than essentials. I agree, gentrification has a lot to do with it. Locally, here in Cambridgeshire, we have a regular weekly market as well as specialist Vegan markets and Craft markets etc, with goods selling at sky-high prices. Even on the stalls that sell basics, like the bread stall, they charge crazy money for a loaf. Markets make a great topic for place-based creative writing!
Yasmin, size varied from place to place, could be a simple street only or whole blocks. Prices were generally low as it catered for the local people more than travellers or tourists. I remember in Hanoi, there were whole blocks given over to a single trade. For example, one block was full of stores for building materials, one for motorcycle parts, one for textiles etc. It was odd to see so many shops all selling the same thing and in one area only !
It's always seemed a mystery to me as to why traders selling similar products congregate, jostling for customers, elbow to elbow so to speak. Yet, as a buyer, there's nothing better!! I guess, if your competitor is there, you need to be as well. I hope you'll write about these markets, Ben. Let me know if you do.
Where do I start! Well to begin with I will try and find that book! It sounds like something I would enjoy. Like I enjoy your "Place writing". I am not a writer, but I do ART and quite a lot of collage!
Thank you for your lovely comment, Carol, and I'm glad you enjoy Place Writing. Since you're keen on collage you might be inspired by Maxwell Street. It's not a traditional 'artsy' book, but the way the author brings together the feeling of the place is quite remarkable. It would be very interesting to take the concept of Cresswell's literary 'assemblage' and try to replicate it using mixed media for a piece of visual art.
Love the idea of a book about a street! Portobello Road in London would be my choice. ✨
Oh yes, James. Portobello Road would make a fantastic subject in its own right. I think it's been used a lot in fiction, film etc. But what fun to spend some time there, to keep returning, and then to write about the comings and goings.
Definitely! Love the bohemian vibe there.
Fascinating to think about this bricolage method to place writing. My library has a copy of this book and I've got to take a look now. Thanks for the reference.
Hi Jill. It is a different way of place writing for sure. I quite like it. I think that what Cresswell has done, i.e. his method, could be developed further by a creative writer. The book certainly set me off down some rabbit holes, as they say.
Thanks for commenting. I hope you enjoy the book!
Many thanks for your re-stack Greg!
Thank you for your re-stack, Jeanine!
Congratulations again, Ian, on gaining your PhD! I'm not reeling from mine yet as I have some minor corrections to do, so I'm still not quite finished. But almost there! I hope to be moving on to other things soon. My mission for 2024 will be to try and get the book that forms the main part of my thesis lodged with a publisher. I'd love to see it in print as it's written for a wide audience.
I think you'll like Maxwell Street. Tim has an easy way with words and this book is quite a collection of ideas. Your community mapping project sounds interesting... do tell us more when you can!
I was lucky enough to have the Co-Directors of the Centre for Place Writing at MMU as my PhD supervisors: David Cooper and Rachel Lichtenstein. I love Rachel's books - great examples of place writing!