Same here only more so
Back in October, Hugh Howey (you know, of Wool fame?) wrote a blog post that addressed a matter of particular interest to me:
“… It’s 1 time out of 100 that I write in public (usually by necessity, not by choice).
It’s 1 time out of 100 that I write a scene that makes me cry (again, no stopping it).
It’s 100 out of 100 times that these two overlap. Why the hell?” [see the whole post and the many replies…]
I was one among the many who replied — I just had to. I said:
Crying can be an issue, but in theory I can avoid public writing when working a sad scene…
But I’ve got this whole other problem: my face reflects what I’m writing, ALL the time.
If my characters are angry, I look angry. If they’re puzzling something out, I’m wearing a quizzical squint. Startling revelations? Transcendent epiphanies? Betrayal by presumed sweetie-pie? Right there on my face.
And, oh, yes: I write Science Fiction and Fantasy, so monsters are possible. And bloody death. And even exaltation.
More than one total stranger in a cafe has asked me if I’m all right. Worse yet, a friend once treated me to a re-enactment of my sequence of expressions, which he thought was completely hilarious. He laughed and laughed. I just sat there stunned and appalled.
Since that time, when I write in public, I rarely write actual prose. Generally, it’s analyses, outlines, journal entries — working through ideas in some way. Much safer.
It’s one of the reasons I got myself an off-site office.
Other reason: elbow room. The table I used as a desk in my bedroom had 1/3 as much usable space this one does. And put my nose less than two feet away from a wall.
Some people are great at ignoring their surroundings, so what they see around them doesn’t distract, beckon, admonish, oppress, or prompt response. Not me.
In fact, I cleverly trained myself to really notice stuff, starting back when I was a kid — intentionally, in order to improve my writing.
I feel it’s served me well.  But it’s hard to turn off sometimes.
Thus: office! And thank you, ebook purchasers, for making it possible.
Other other reason: windows. No, they do not distract, they encourage standing with a cup of coffee in hand, sipping, while gazing into the far distances contemplatively.
January 11th, 2015 at 8:44 am
Wondering about the science of it now. Showing the emotions of fictional characters on your own face. Something with mirror neurons maybe?
Anyway the view outside your office, from the little that can be seen in the image, is indeed dreamlike.
January 11th, 2015 at 9:23 am
I would not be at all concerned about showing a monster or exalted face in public. You are birthing a whole reality for your characters and that is why your books are so good.
Artists are all weird. That is often what allows them to be what they are. Creative.
But office looks snug and nookish. I bet you will get some great writing done there. No rush but we your public are waiting ha ha…
January 11th, 2015 at 12:38 pm
If I just *think about* what I’d be writing (which can be easily triggered when reading a story that somehow resonates with my current projects) then my face reflects it. Just ask my wife.
January 11th, 2015 at 2:49 pm
I, too, find myself making strange faces in public. I don’t even have to write, just have to think about something and there it is written all over my face, for all to see.
Congratulations on your new office space, I think it is beautiful!
January 14th, 2015 at 1:38 pm
I might not be creative, but I show the emotions of what I’m thinking or reading about on my face all the time.
Also: great office! I hope you can spend some productive hours there.