Posted by Smalls at syr-24-24-14-133.twcny.rr.com on December 18, 2001 at 01:07:02:
In Reply to: Okay reposted poll - thanx Punkin posted by OU1313 on December 18, 2001 at 00:47:46:
As dark as possible, especially no natural light. Hopefully, only the computer screen or a small desk lamp.
As cool as possible, bonus if there's a fan or air conditioner throwing background white noise.
Plain room. Whites and earth tones. Can be messy but must be a non-descript messy. Nothing to lure the eyes away. Muted. Almost invisible.
Headphones blaring, drowning out all extraneous sound. Something on repeat, either one album or a short mp3 playlist, with a strong unifying theme... looping until it becomes mantric. The Downward Spiral is good. Dark Side of the Moon, Thrak, ConstruKction of Light, Abbey Road. Outside. Whatever and Ever Amen. Whatever rocks hard in a meloncholy way that fits the context of the writing.
Piping hot coffee and ice water, only.
Old loose comfortable clothes. Beat-up teeshirt and shorts.
A bandana to secure the headphones and block peripheral vision.
Writing is like casino gambling, love making and yogic mediation... at least it is for me, in that... ideally, you're blocking out all noise, all information, all feeling and sense other than the action you're focusing on. As far as your body knows, as your five senses know, the entire universe has ceased to exist except for you and your computer, you and the cards, you and your lover, you and your inner point of focus, you and your guitar, you and the baseball hurtling toward you, whatever it is you're doing.
Tastes that are either acid or blank.
Scents that are either acid or blank.
Sounds that are either loud and repetitive or soft and droning.
Sights that do not pull your eyes away from your action.
Touch that is numbed by the cold.
It's just your disembodied mind and the task at hand.
Then you go.
Mike