Writing in Mark Twain’s Library

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to take part in a writing session at Mark Twain’s house in Hartford, CT. Sitting in his library, along with a small group of authors, proved to be extremely inspiring.

The architectural design of the house is technically referred to as “Victorian Gothic Revival” but you might as well throw that classification out the window because every pore of the house screams “Mark Twain.” It is an extremely masculine house filled with ornately carved woodwork and deep rich colors. The library is appropriately lined with many bookcases set off by a rich green embossed wallpaper with tasteful gold accents. You can easily envision the man sitting in a chair spinning stories to his guests.

On the third floor of the house is his study where he did most of his writing. Some of his most famous books, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, were written while he lived in this house. The study contains a large billiards table which Mark Twain would fiddle with as he wrote. In a corner, facing a wall, is a small writing desk where he would work. Admittedly distracted by his surroundings he deliberately positioned his desk in this manner to try to minimize anything which would take him away from his writing.

Sitting in this famous man’s home really helped me to concentrate and write almost continuously for the whole session. Much like the man himself I am easily distracted, and having not positioned myself to face a wall, I admit that my eyes wandered around my surroundings at times. Still, even with these distractions, I felt like the ghost of Mark Twain inhabited my body for the evening and allowed me to be extremely creative.

One of the nicest tie-ins was that I was able to finish some small finishing edits to The New American Reich, and then start laying the groundwork for my next book, which is now beginning to take shape. I hope to return for another writing session before long. My only regret is that they refused to allow me any bourbon or cigars during my stay at the house. I can’t help but think Mark Twain would be very disappointed – in them!

#books #reading