Writing Spaces: Sue Bracken

This week in Writing Spaces, we take a look at the working space of Sue Bracken, author of “Echame Flores” in Issue #146.

My writing room is affectionately called The Tower, being the only room on the 3^rd floor. The elements are accentuated up here, probably because all four walls and the roof are exposed to the world. Rain becomes a torrent, and the wind makes me feel like Dorothy about to quit Kansas.

My partner’s art work surrounds me here. The cat visits me sometimes, purring her presence. The rug was a gift, is great for horizontal work and yes, it really does tie the room together! A north and south facing window light up all of this. How could I not be inspired?

The tower is my usual writing space, but I am fortunate to be part of a family cottage in Haliburton, Ontario. That is my favourite place (and photo). The journal is a leather gift, too heavy for city transit, but perfect for the cottage. I love writing from the deck for the view. The pines rule. It’s a bit of wild that I need—NO CONDOS, different bugs, and rare snapping turtles. Even the winter is gorgeous. And there’s history here: our son’s first steps, first underwater, first cookie.

I feel open here. (That’s probably because when I’m here I’m on holidays!) We are on the lake and I can plunge in whenever. Many of my poems deal with water, or references to water. I’m a life-long swimmer. I’d write poems under water if I could!

We’re giving you a behind-the-scenes look into the writing process – straight from the desks of our contributors! Check out the full series here.