My Writing Space – My World

Others have shared spacious areas in which they choose to work. I, on the other hand, prefer to have everything within my reach. Purposely, I separate where I write my novels from where I word process and edit my novels. I need the “disconnect” in order to separate the steps. I write my novels in spiral notebooks, usually wide ruled because I write large. I know from experience that 30 pages of my handwritten story equals ten pages of typed text (Times New Roman, 12 point font). I, personally, hate to read chapters that are longer than ten pages so I have trained myself to work toward that goal. If you read my novels, you’ll note the consistency in the length of my chapters.

I love the reflected sunlight. Note the lap desk, encyclopedic dictionary, and synonym finder.

Some day, I will have to have this chair reupholstered. I fear my “inspiration” lies in the lumpy cushions. Normally, there is a cup of tea sitting on the nearby table. I brew my own – no American tea bags for me. One can also see my journal sitting at the side, along with my Bible. This is where the creative process comes about.

“Matthew” screensaver – Pemberley license plate – bottled green tea – iPod, etc.

Once I have written the book, I retreat to my “office” space to do the hard work. My office is the smallest of the three bedrooms in my North Carolina home. From the window, I overlook the curve of the cul de sac upon which I live. Not much happens in this small incorporated village, something I appreciate. It is quiet and relatively crime free. When I first moved here in 2003, “Miss Kitty,” my neighbor, brought me over a chocolate cake. (I didn’t tell her that I prefer white cake to chocolate. It would be rude.) I love the South!!!

I love the Ben Franklin quote on the pen holder: Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.

The office reflects my eclectic tastes. I love oversized furniture. The walls hold my “interests.” Of course, there’s multiple pictures of Matthew Macfadyen. I enjoy Colin Firth’s work (am a big fan), but I really LOVE Matthew. All the pictures are signed. (Yes, I realize this is an obsession, but daily I remind myself that the word “fan” comes from “fanatic.”)

I also am a big fan of Chad Pennington, the former NFL quarterback. He attended Marshall University, where I went to school, but my respect for Pennington comes from his kindness to my son during the difficult period when my mother was dying. He showed himself to be a true gentleman. In Darcy’s Temptation, Chadwick Harrison is so called because of Pennington.

I keep track of dates for appearances and blogs on Post Its. They are a major organizational tool for me.

upcoming personal appearance are in pink