This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Given I have two young children my writing space tends to be
wherever they aren't. I find doctor’s waiting rooms are excellent as you wait
for ages in a peaceful place surrounded usually by a very odd collection of
people who can provide fantastic inspiration for future characters! Long car
journeys are also useful as I throw plot issues at my husband who often responds
with something ridiculous having totally missed the point but which actually
helps clarify my thinking. The downside is that I then have to get him to stop
banging on about his marvellous idea which is harder than you would expect.
Just over a year ago however we moved and I commandeered this fantastic corner and view to help the creativity flow. Most people ask how I concentrate with all that to look at but I only really get distracted if there is something going on next door. They moved out recently and there were men in back overalls swarming everywhere. Before long I had made up a whole Homelands style scenario where they had been busted for some crime against the nation and all their belongings were getting taken away by forensics and any minute Damien Lewis was going to knock on the door asking for refuge! Sadly only the postman called that day.
My husband bought me the letters that spell writer' when I got my first payment for my debut novel, No-One Ever Has Sex On A Tuesday, as I felt it acceptable at that point to class it as my occupation. Now it comes in very useful as a reminder of why I am sat at that desk. I am not there to read stuff on the internet…I am there to write stuff down. WRITER….NOT READER…..!!
The American style mailbox was a leaving present when we moved back from living there for a while a few years ago. If I ever see something in a newspaper or magazine that I think could spark an idea for a book I rip it out and shove it in my mailbox for future reference. This does mean my husband has had get used to reading a mutilated version of the Sunday papers but luckily for him I find little inspiration in the sports section.
The latest addition to my desk is the pink haired troll. A friend bought me this when Single Woman Seeks Revenge got onto the Kindle best seller list as my lead character collects trolls to remind her of all the men she has been in love with. So now my first job when I sit down to write is to decide my troll's hairstyle for the day. All I can say is it’s a good job no-one can watch me in my writer’s room!
No-One Ever Has Sex On A Tuesday is out now.