Writers’ Residences: Literature Lives Here

Have you ever read a book that inspired you to travel? The more a setting comes to life, the more you want to know about an author and what inspired the world they wrote. The places where famous writers wrote their books often had an influence on the story itself, and can give you some insight into their creative process.

Authors from all over the world, and from different times in history, had one thing in common: they needed a quiet place to create their masterpieces. Their houses, family and friends, and political situations contributed to the plot, characters and locations you’ve come to love when devouring their books.

1. Henry David Thoreau – Walden Pond, Massachusetts

It’s no surprise that Thoreau’s famous book was named after the place he lived for two years, two months, and two days. Walden is considered by many to be the first real work about simple living. So, for those who enjoy traveling light or have adopted a frugal lifestyle, it’s a must read.

The book is based on the simple way he lived while he spent time in a cabin near Walden Pond. Thoreau wanted a reclusive existence. He wrote a lot about solitude, the sounds of the woods, reading, and the geography of the pond. He also wrote an essay on civil disobedience, which was one of the reasons he abandoned society in the first place.

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