Why New York is perfect for writers

First published on 7 Dec 2009. Updated on 17 Feb 2010.

I'm told that it takes three things to write a bestselling book: a whole lot of inspiration, gadzoodles of coffee and a pair of really comfortable slippers. Now, Starbucks and sheepskin abound, but where oh where do you find that inspiration?

I think it was Edison who said creative genius was one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration, but if you're anything like me and you raise a sweat simply by lifting an alcoholic beverage/iced bon bon to your mouth, then you'd want to reverse that statistic and the best way to do that is to pack your sense of excitement along with a carry-on of courage and head to the most inspirational place on earth: New York City.

New York has inspired everything from the great depression to Mr Potato Head. The city is more motivational than a Martini at high noon (and for most writers that's saying somethin'.) Shops are lit up like firecrackers at all hours; cafés are crowded with people, artists are creating magnificent works, lawyers are staging great battles, novels are being written, plays are being staged. You literally walk out onto the sidewalks of NY and are assaulted with the fresh and fantastic wind of inspiration at every turn.

You could discover plot lines in the enigmatic and glamorous history that infuses the culture with its famous sense of risk; get inspired by the many characters that are following their dreams and acting out their passions; and even supplement your writer's income with tips from a cocktail job. Yup, New York is the place for a writer to be.

Biting the Big Apple by Bella Vendramini is out now through Hachette.