Writing Spaces: Tristan Tavis Marajh

This week in Writing Spaces, we take a look at the working space of Tristan Tavis Marajh, author of “The Taste of Memory” in Issue #147.

Thank you to The New Quarterly for inviting me to share my writing space(s) on their platform. Also, thanks to their helpful staff for collaborating with me to actualize my story as part of their journal.

The wide majority of my writing thus far I have done at a local hospital (not as a patient) and at various public libraries. At night, at the hospital; during the day, at the library.

This is the “food court” area of the hospital. “Food court” is in quotations because the only establishment present there is a Tim Hortons. I therefore should have also put “food” in quotations as well, even if this might offend you as a Canadian. As a Canadian, I apologize if I offended you.

I chose this hospital space for night/early morning writing because it is extremely quiet during this time, yet remains well-lit. Power outlets are available, as well as a water dispenser and microwave (both pictured). The bathroom’s a short walk away; a not-much longer walk away is the residential area where I park to avoid exorbitant hospital parking fees.The hospital is also quite a convenient place to write should my appendix decide it wants to explode mid-paragraph.

During the days, I would go to various public libraries in the Toronto or Markham areas.

Yes, these are trees growing in this Markham branch. If you are into un-recirculated oxygen, this is the library for you. I decided to share this photo because my actual writing space within the library (pictured below) appears quite neutral, and I did not want to imply that the library is like that otherwise.

Quiet, accommodating working spaces, clean bathrooms (this is important) and reliable internet access were key factors in choosing the Markham libraries. Staff working there are also unique, helpful and lovely individuals, and I am not saying that because I work with them there now.

We’re giving you a behind-the-scenes look into the writing process – straight from the desks (and decks, docks, beds, and favourite hiking trails) of our contributors! Check out the full series here.