THE VIRTUES OF WRITING IN BED

The last couple of weeks I've spent a lot of time in bed. My daytime companions join me there--my ink pen, yellow pad, laptop, manuscript, editorial letter and Bronte.

I blame it on the heating blanket. This house is cold in the winter. There is a man who lives here who insists the thermometer stay at a brisk temperature. He claims he is doing his part--being green and saving energy. He doesn't fool me. His environmental responsibilities are connected to his wallet.

So what's a writer to do, but to huddle down under the covers and turn the heating blanket control up to Hi. Regardless how I got there, I've decided writing in bed has a few virtues.

1. I don't have to waste time getting dressed or putting on makeup.

2. It is the largest desk surface I've ever owned which provides plenty of room for my writing tools and my dog.

3. There is a nightstand next to me which is a handy place for a coffee mug, glasses, and a plate of Texas Ruby Red grapefruit slices.

4. The bathroom is close by.

5. Okay. I'll admit it, it's nice work if you can get it.


Apparently I'm not alone in my choice of workspace. Vladimir Navokov worked in bed, too.




And so did Walker Percy.



Mary Heaton Vorse wrote in bed from her summer home in Cape Cod.




Samuel Clemens(Mark Twain) wrote much of his work there, but also stated, "Working in bed can be very dangerous as so many deaths seem to occur there."