This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Today we're taking a peek inside Caroline Smailes' office. Caroline's latest book, The Drowning of Arthur Braxton, was launched this week. You can find out more about Caroline and her books here.
Over to Caroline…
I’m planning to move, but sometimes I worry about leaving my writing space. I’ve written every novel in this office, we converted half of the garage just for me. Crowded, cluttered, surrounded in memories, this is my favourite room in my house.
Behind me, to the left, there’s a turntable and my vinyl collection, behind me, to the right, a wall of bookshelves displaying my favourite books and my collection of Smurfs. I have bought a Smurf for every book I’ve written. Next to me are corkboards, full of prompts and recollections that make me smile. From the ceiling there’s a disco ball, underneath my desk are two pairs of roller-skates. The floor is oak and skating often happens. A recent addition is a small wooden desk for my daughter, she is now creating in here too.
From having a playpen in here to listening to my teenage son’s dilemmas, this room is full of secrets, this room has aged with us. My writing space, my office is my haven, my cocoon. For me, creativity only visits when and where I feel safe.