Discovering Your Hideaway or Dwelling Place
In the realm of literature, the term 'garret' conjures up images of a top-floor or attic room, traditionally inhabited by an artist striving to create their masterpiece. This humble abode, under a pitched roof, has been a symbol of literary creativity since the 19th century, providing a quiet, isolated space for writers with limited means to immerse themselves in their craft.
Historically, garrets have been tucked-away corners in urban settings, offering solitude away from household distractions. Many 19th-century authors and poets, such as Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Dickens, and Victor Hugo, wrote in garrets, and literary culture has often depicted them as spaces of humble origins that birthed great works. The garret's cultural symbolism contrasts the poverty or social marginality of the occupant with the elevated nature of the artistic or intellectual pursuits conducted there.
Today, the garret is not just a physical space but also a literary trope embodying the convergence of modest living conditions and serious literary creation. It can be any place where a writer feels they can produce the most and best writing, from a park bench or a car to a cafe, a library, a guest bedroom, or even a hammock.
For contemporary writers, the garret's importance lies in its reliability as a writing space, but at times, the writer needs to be creative and forge one in unusual places. For instance, during long hours spent on a plane or bus, a writer may use the limited writing time available or create a temporary garret by bringing noise-canceling headphones, a soft blanket, and comfortable clothes to recreate the garret feeling.
Samantha Fenton, a guest post contributor, is one such writer. Though her home is nestled on ten acres filled with beloved pets in Ridgefield, Washington, she finds herself creating garrets in various locations. When attending a family member's sports game, she often finds a quiet spot, such as a hallway or abandoned bleachers, to write. If staying at a family member's house, she may use a nearby cafe, library, or a quieter part of the house as a temporary garret.
The perfect garret, whether permanent or temporary, is one where the writer knows they will not be interrupted, it's a place they want to be in, they could spend a long time there, it fuels their inner writer, they can write in it, and they have easy access to it. On the other hand, a bad full-time garret is one that is difficult to get to, has lots of interruptions, is too loud or too quiet, is not easy to focus on writing, and contains anything the writer does not like.
Samantha Fenton, currently striving to traditionally publish, is no stranger to these challenges. However, her passion for golf keeps her grounded and focused, providing a much-needed balance in her life as she navigates the world of literature.
[1] https://www.dictionary.com/browse/garret [2] https://www.britannica.com/topic/garret [3] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/garret [4] https://thegarret.org.au/about/
- Samantha Fenton, being a contemporary writer, often creates her writing space, or garrett, in unusual locations, such as quiet spots at family events or temporary spaces like cafes or libraries, reflecting the evolution of the garret from a physical space to a literary trope represents the fusion of modest living conditions and serious literary creation.
- Despite having a spacious home filled with pets in Ridgefield, Washington, Samantha Fenton, who is striving to traditionally publish, finds herself establishing home-and-garden garrets in various locations, illustrating how the ideal garret is not confined to a specific physical location but rather a space that fuels one's inner writer and allows for focused literary creation.
