Why does place matter?

Place proves to be very important to a writer. The differences are vast between Sanders and Dillard. Dillard presents a negative view that can be observed through her choice of tone and imagery. For example, Dillard says, "One rainy day, this member of the real world gave me a ride home". She starts off the sentence with a the depressing image of a rainy day. Then she goes on with the pessimistic tone saying that this man was a "member of the real world". Dillard's entire piece was written with this "poor me" attitude which was derived from the place she was staying. She also says, "It should surprise no one that the life of the writer-such as it is- is colorless to the point of sensory deprivation. Many writers do little else but sit in small rooms recalling the real world". Dillard states in the quote how miserable she is in her cramped room and how it makes writers so dull and worn out. 

Sanders on the other hand has a much more positive attitude than Dillard in his story. Because Sanders believes that "we need to move in loops, out and back again, exploring our home ground", he never gets sick of where he is staying. He appreciates his Midwestern home and even says that, "No matter where we live, the energy of creation flows, in each of us, every second". He admits at times throughout where he had trouble writing, but Sanders for the most part always had a positive outlook on being a writer thanks to his location.