The Writing Bag
I have a writing bag.
If I’m intending to spend any significant chunk of time writing, it will usually be away from home. I find I’m able to focus much better if I’m away from the distractions of the telly, laptop and fridge. I also enjoy writing in different environments; it becomes a part of the process. So I need a bag to transport my writing tools with me.
As my creative time has become more precious, I’ve started to realise that the content of the bag has become more important to the process. Sometimes, I need ideas. Sometimes, I’m lacking inspiration. And of course, I also need the basic tools for the jobs – which now includes drawing as well as writing.
So, choosing what to put in the bag has become an exercise in smart thinking. What are the fewest items I need to cover both inspiration and productivity? Yes, I know that I can have everything I need on an iPad, but I only find technology helpful in specific ways. The physical presence of a book or a card is a thousand times more effective than just another page displayed on a screen.
What’s great is that it works. And just in case you like the idea, here’s what my bag currently contains (details underneath):
The writing bag contents!
The Pot Boiler – a book by Spike Milligan
I love Spike’s work. He loved what he did, and it shines through his work. From simple sight gags to nonsense poetry, his material is best described as ‘simple genius’. A true inspiration.
‘No rules. Just write.’ – a free sampler from the Teach Yourself series of books. I love this because it’s packed with tips and is very light to carry.
Notepad – themed with Andy Warhol‘s work. This is a great little book that has diary pages, to do lists and note pages. I list everything I’m working on in here, and set target dates for all my projects. I also use the diary to make sure I’m booking onto events – like the Writer’s Toolkit in November – that will inspire me.
Notepad – A4 from Paperchase. I’m using this to write the first draft of my novel. It goes everywhere with me. It’ll probably be the first time ever that I use every single line of a notebook. I find it much, much easier to write in this rather than on an iPad or computer. I’d be gutted if I lost it.
Drawing pad – square from Paperchase. All of the cartoons are drawn in here before being imported onto an iPad for completion and colouring. The paper is very good quality.
Autobiography of Jacob Epstein – hardback, bought off abebooks.co.uk. Jacob Epstein is my favourite sculptor and has become even more so since I started reading about his life. This copy is 72 years old!
Van Gogh-themed notebook – my go-to book for writing down and expanding on ideas. This is my favourite book to write in, and usually results in some useable stuff.
Raindrops postcard – I just like the design of this. And it’s useful to have a card to just pop in the post to someone.
Art postcard – ‘Crash Head’ by Eduardo Paolozzi. Paolozzi’s sculptures are bonkers. This card came from the Pallant House Gallery in Chichester. It’s not my favourite of his works, but it makes me think of the others of his that I’ve seen.
Comedy Fix zine – it’s important to carry around at least one example of a project I’ve seen through to the end, so so that the evidence is there that I can do it!
John Clare postcard – a reminder that poetry can be serious and beautiful, and not just comic. This card came from a John Clare exhibition at Peterborough Museum.
Lizz Lunney postcard. Lizz’s creations always make me smile, and remind me that I should be aiming to up my game in the drawing stakes!
Greetings card – Gemma Correll. A reminder that simple ideas, when brilliantly executed, can and do sell.
Just a Note – ideas notebook. Hardly used, as I mostly use the Warhol book for quick ideas, but I do love the brand – yourstrulycards.co.uk
Blank notecards – for general use.
Sketching pencils, artist pens, writing pen, iPad stylus, eraser and sharpener – essential tools!
Oh yes – and finally, this is the bag. (Guess who was a teenager in the ’80s…):-
The writing bag
Do you have a writing bag, or does technology provide everything you need?
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The Library of Birmingham
I never thought I’d get excited about a library.
I know I’m seen as ‘bookish’ by some, but I tend to only read through necessity; if I’m actively trying to avoid creative endeavours, for example, or am researching something specific.
Libraries are generally more of interest to me as places to write. The now empty Central Library, a concrete monolith opened in 1973, was an ideal writing destination, even though it was sometimes difficult to find desk-space. On its upper floors, there was usually an atmosphere of productivity and industry, as row after row of students sat in front of dimly-lit work-spaces. Like its stock of old books, it was tatty but functional.
I’d always plan a visit to the library for ‘serious’ writing.; that is, a stint of several hours, uninterrupted by phone calls or texts, the ambient music and chat of coffee shops, or the myriad of distractions that present themselves at home. Central Library may not have been pretty, but it allowed me to get the job done.
I’ve missed the library since it closed its upper floors earlier this year, and so had been keen to get a first look at the new library to discover whether it could improve on an environment that had served me so well since moving here in 1996. Modern architecture for public spaces has learnt from the mistakes of the past, and is generally built to higher standards than 30-40 years ago. It can, however, lack ‘soul’ – which is an accusation I’ve often heard levelled at the new Bullring. While there can’t be many people that would truly want a return to the Bullring of the 1960s, there is something about the new Bullring that lacks ‘humanity’. Perhaps it is too sterile-looking to engender feelings of affection – pleasant enough to pass through, but providing little of interest that makes you want to adopt it as your own.
So, what of the new library? Does it have a soul?
Absolutely.
There are so many words to describe it. ‘Big’ would be the first one I’d use. Followed by ‘welcoming’, ‘unique’, ‘vibrant’, ‘inspirational’, and simply ‘awesome’.
This is a library for people. Want to relax and read a book? Find a comfy chair and lose yourself in the pages. Want to use the Internet? Log onto a computer or use the free wi-fi on your own device. Want to sit and write? Go to any floor, find a desk, admire the views and write. Want to chat with friends over a coffee? Visit the library coffee bar or ground floor cafe. Want to get some air? Sit in the secret garden. Want to experience city heritage? View art? See a show or a presentation? Hold an event? Borrow a CD? Practice piano? Browse a film archive and watch in comfort? Borrow a book? Or even download one?
Study spaces are functional, plentiful and well-positioned. There are surprises around every corner. Where public buildings are concerned, this is as good as it gets. The Library of Birmingham deserves every award that is coming to it, because it is a masterpiece of modern design. What used to be a car park has now replaced the Ikon Gallery as my favourite destination in this great city.
Birmingham has made a lot of mistakes in its past. It looks like it’s now getting things right.
It’s definitely ‘rewriting the book’.
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