Old Key West thrums like a dense New York City neighborhood settled onto an island. I just returned from a week fiction-writing workshop at Key West Literary Seminar. To add to session learning, I spent the off time walking that “old” area, along with the rest of the western third of the key: around White Street top to bottom and over to Truman Waterfront. The one larger area I missed? Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, which I hope to explore next time.
Where did I seek inspiration? I grabbed the obligatory snap at Southernmost Point of the Continental US (though I didn’t wait in the long line to be standing right at the landmark). I ventured out on a sunset-seeking schooner that had a penchant for firing cannons at other ships. I ventured to many other spots for writers too. Here are seven ideas for creative fuel if you’re a writer headed to Key West.
1) Breathe the Lives of Writers — See where writers worked. Perhaps some whispers still float through the rooms. The Elizabeth Bishop House & Garden; and The Hemingway Home & Museum are just two historic portals. Key West Literary Seminar also offers tours that highlight area writers.
2) Respect and Reflect — Remind yourself how writing tells needed stories at The African Cemetery at Key West and Key West AIDS Memorial, which rest near each other in the Higgs Beach Area. Bonus is attending the cozy Sunday service at One Island Family, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Key West.
3) Write — Get pages in at Key West’s library, Monroe County May Hill Russell Library, which features ample work spaces inside and an attached garden out.
4) Participate in Book Economy — Peruse titles at Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West. They also hold author readings and signings.
5) Sense Details in Setting — Reach Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden by heading down the side path of a private house and entering perhaps the smallest parrot sanctuary in the US. I spent the most time with Pierre — dancing, chatting, hanging out. The birds remain in cages except for special educational events.
6) Revive with Coffee — Notably, drink good coffee pretty much wherever you area. With few exceptions, coffee in all its forms flowed at a high level. Some potential places: Old Town Bakery, Sazón, and Cuban Coffee Queen.
7) Track Abounding Dialogue — Catch stories at any number of bars, especially those that favor unique drinks over booming music. 22&Co is a standout for dessert martinis and chatter.
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