Contents of the writer’s “office,” which is actually one corner of the master-bedroom suite:

1) Non-writing Desk—retained from childhood, pine, recently refinished in “honey pine” and accented with ceramic knobs purchased from Anthropologie. Used solely as surface on which to place reading materials.

Items associated with non-writing desk:
Two stacks of about ten paper-back books each, to read
Stack of hard-bound books, already read, heavily tabbed
Two stacks of three-ring binders containing notes and drafts
Stack of spare folders beneath stack of printer paper
Guitar tuner (Shouldn’t be there, but where to put it?)

2) Writing Desk—purchased from Target, stained “mahogany,” made of unknown wood. Official site where writing supposedly takes place.

Items associated with writing desk:
Padded leather dining chair
Two-drawer metal file cabinet
Laser-jet printer
Laptop computer
Paper tray
Table lamp
Textbook of Schizophrenia
Framed photo of self and husband
Unframed photo of younger sister and brother, aged five and four
Corduroy pencil box containing: ballpoint pens, rollerball pens, highlighter pens

3) Free-standing half-section of long sofa—midcentury-modern style in black pleather, purchased with other half at an estate sale. Unofficial site where writing most often actually takes place.

Items associated with sofa:
Down comforter
Large pillow
Antique portable TV stand
Floor lamp (very flimsy; must be careful not to bump)
Power strip joining cords for laptop, printer, lamps, phone charger

4) Framed black-and-white art photograph—hanging on wall, titled “She Knew the Game Was Fixed But Played On Anyway.”

The image is a self-portrait of the photographer, Lauren Simonutti, who struggled with schizophrenia for many years and spoke and wrote eloquently about her experiences. She committed suicide in 2012. The writer seeks both inspiration and moral support from this portrait and feels at once pain and joy when she glances at it, as it reminds her that she is uncertain about all things, including her own future and the future of her book. The writer feels that these feelings are appropriate, and should be part of the process.