My Literary Fantasy Cottage

   This is the time of year when escape fantasies abound.  Here in the mid-Atlantic, the dreariness of late winter is almost behind us.  Last week’s warm rain finally washed away the filthy detritus of February’s big snowstorms.  The collective mood is optimistic because it’s sunny outside, the crocuses are in bloom, and the forecast is calling for sixty-eight degrees tomorrow.  The vernal equinox is just days away and many families have plans to get away to some version of paradise during spring break.  I’m staying home (more on this later), but find myself daydreaming about the literary fantasy cottage to which I hope to escape someday—preferably for a long, leisurely, and productive summer.

    I’m not dreaming of endless days of “fun in the sun.”  That’s because my escape fantasy is all about having time to write in a beautiful place.  The rough outlines of my literary fantasy cottage have been taking shape for years.  I imagine myself working on my laptop in a comfortable writing spot near a window with a lovely view—of an ocean, a lake, or just lovely verdant nature.  The cottage itself is cozy, attractive, and refreshingly spartan.  Our two children have found neighbors their own age and spend their days together playing on the beach or tramping through the woods.  Everyone agrees this place is safe enough to allow kids to run free.  My husband reads and relaxes, ready for a walk or a chat when it’s time for a break from writing.  The four of us congregate for mealtimes and evenings, sharing stories from our day.  A quaint village with all the necessary provisions and a farmer’s market is a short bike ride away.  If you know of a place like this—ideally owned by a generous patron of the arts—let me know.

    On the verge of completing my first novel and pecking away at a long list of revisions, I try to squeeze in moments of writing between caring for my kids, working from home as an au pair counselor, running household errands, exercising, etc.  I am always wishing for the time and space to write more, but my dream of getting away from it all to the perfect little cottage is a form of self-delusion.  I may never have the cottage, but I do have my couch—and it’s not a bad place for taking a break from email to edit my manuscript for an hour at a time.  Hope is in the air because the rest of the family is going to New England for spring break and leaving me behind.  That will give me about eight extra hours a day of free time.  The apartment building loading dock visible from my couch is not the most inspiring view, but my literary fantasy cottage is about to morph into a D.C. rowhouse.

Comments

[Janet]

Kelly:

I share your fantasy and have always dreamed about a little house on the Eastern Shore, perhaps somewhere near St. Michael. Isn't it interesting how we all seem to have the fantasy that if only we had the time and/or the place to write, we'd be oh-so-much-more prolific? I'm not sure that's really the case, but it sure is nice to dream -- as long as that doesn't take you away from your writing :-).

[Donna]

Kelly:
I was there with you. I could see the cottage. I felt the sea mist and my creative juices were flowing like river rapids. Words were pouring from the tips of my fingers...then the phone rang. Back to making a living - the fantasy cottage will have to wait. Thanks for taking me away for a few glorious moments of just writing.