My Writing Space: Meredith Goldstein

Meredith Goldstein is the author of The Wedding Guests. She chats to us about her writing space. 

I used to have to leave my apartment to work on “The Wedding Guests.” I’d lock myself in my friend’s beach house where I had no cell phone reception, or I’d go to my Aunt Nancy’s and hide in the basement where there was no TV. I had to block out all distractions. I had no attention span whatsoever. But I’ve matured since then. (Sort of.) Now that I’m writing my second book, I don’t have to hide in remote locations. I can write in my bedroom, and the décor is all the motivation I need. On the wall in front of my writing spot (my very fluffy bed) is a painting of cotton candy, my favorite sweet. My friend’s ex-husband, a professional artist, made it for me as a housewarming present. They decided to divorce shortly after I hung the piece on my wall. I almost took it down after they split, but then I remembered that it’s my friend’s hand in the painting. She was the model, holding up the cone of cotton candy while he tried to get it down on canvas. There’s something inspiring about having the finished product nearby as I write. My friend’s hand looks so tough, so determined — just like she was in real life after the divorce. I see her strong grip and I think, “Keep moving.”

Meredith Goldstein

The other important piece in my sightline is my bed frame, which was my mom’s. Leslie Goldstein – my mother, my friend, and one of my best readers — passed away unexpectedly in May. I bring this up because after she died, I took her bed frame. It was relatively new and very pretty, so I moved it from her apartment to mine where it fit perfectly. My mom was alive long enough to read about half of my second book, and she loved it – perhaps more than “The Wedding Guests” (she said it was more romantic). When I’m under the covers and writing, I imagine that the bed frame is magical — that she’s holding me up and shouting, “Write more!” And that’s my best writing moment, by the way — the first time that I was able to work on the book after she died. I had been scared to write – I was scared of everything, really – but once I got settled in my room, everything felt okay. I just reminded myself that I was finishing the story that she loved so much. It’s probably bad feng shui to write where you sleep, but it’s working for me. I’m alone in my bedroom, but I’m surrounded the most encouraging people.

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.