The May 2007 issue of Creative Review has a lovely piece by John Simmons about his year spent in London's Underground as a writer-in-residence. The premise is simple enough--how does a writer continue to fuel themselves, and continue to evolve fresh ideas?

The necessity of such efforts is plain enough: We settle. We accept the corporate formula, "reluctant though we may be to admit it," notes Simmons. "Not plunging into the unknown becomes the safe option."

So he ends up in King's Cross Station, helping employees improve their writing on forms and applications and ultimately, hosting creative writing workshops. He spends a year in a different place, realizing, "other minds are the great unknown. Finding ways to connect with them leads to real discoveries." A book of the writing developed at King's Cross Station by Simmons and the station employees is being published.

"There is a joy in creativity: and there is too little joy and creativity in working life. Writing releases it."