If you’re like me, the answer is “No.”
But last year I saw two movies with scenes of writers pecking away at manual typewriters and conducting business by phone all while soaking in the tub. The first was Clifton Webb in Laura and the most recent was Bryan Cranston as Trumbo (both great movies). Apparently the blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo actually did prefer the tub for cranking out his screenplays.
The blog AnOther featured a post, “Where Writers Write,” stating that poet Rod McKuen and the queen of mystery, Agatha Christie, also found themselves at their most creative in the tub. Christie munched on apples while immersed.
Benjamin Franklin is credited with bringing the first bathtub to America from France. It is said that he read and wrote in the tub. See “Benjamin Franklin and the Bathtub” in The Daily Tubber.
According to the blog Postcripts, French playwright Edmond Rostand, creator of Cyrano de Bergerac, also wrote in his bathtub. Ditto for Vladimir Nabokov, author of Lolita. See the post, “The Work Habits of Highly Successful Writers” on Postcripts.
Each to his or her own. I’d rather work in my comfortable, and dry, bed.
This article on BookRiot lists inexpensive essential items to enhance reading and writing in the tub (plus keeping printed and digital materials dry).
With modern technology, we have so many options. One I would like to try is talking into my iPhone while taking a walk.
Thanks for commenting, Grace. I would think you could talk into your phone. I have an Android and I can.
I just have to get my thoughts together, start a new mystery, and try it.
Enjoy it!
I’m sure it will work well for you. 🙂
Perhaps water is the key ingredient. I typically write while being near the water versus being in the water but that’s personal preference. My original work has most often been contrived on the beach, on a cruise ship, by a lake, or next to a bubbling stream. A rainy day seems to call for a paper and pen as well. Water is the common element. Like DNA, many original thoughts are born of the sea.
Bob, I agree about the attraction of water. I love water sounds and my dream is to live at the beach—or by any large body of water. I’m not far from the James River, so I’m getting closer!
Very interesting. My first instinct anytime I’m in the bathtub is to go to sleep. My preferred place to write is at the table or a desk, fully clothed. And I love the scene in Laura where Clifton Webb is writing in his tub!
I liked learning that Agatha munched apples in the tub. Just like her character, Mrs. Oliver.
Not in the tub, but definitely at the beach. I’ve done some of my best writing holding a notebook and pencil while dabbling my toes in a rockpool!
There’s definitely something about water. I haven’t read the various studies about how beneficial it is for our brains, but I absolutely believe it.
I’ve also written ‘by water,’ but not in it. I prefer to stay dry while writing. Interesting post though.
I’m just afraid everything would end up under water! Thanks for commenting, John.
Interesting subject. A log cabin with wifi for me, please. The idea of writing in a bath tub is definitely a great image but lacks practicality.
It sure is a great image. I think it would be a great place to muse. I do my musing on my daily walks.