What’s on my desk and why (clockwise from the upper left corner):
A world map that’s nicely rumpled.
Anita Higman’s manuscript, which I’m reading for endorsement.
The premiere issue of ACFW Journal, which my hubby designed.
Reader snail mail I need to answer.
Pink and blue index cards for my latest (failed) attempt at plotting.
Promotional postcards for my Hanover Fallsnovels series.
A coaster from Bennigan’s that I always forget to put under my coffee.
A matchbox that’s too pretty to throw away, even though it’s empty.
Lots of sharpened OfficeMax pencils in a wooden box. Take one at your peril.
My antique oak library file box that I spent every cent of my Christmas money on one year. (Inside: my dictionary and thesaurus.)
A fake begonia in a great “fleur” pot.
Some cool old books, including an 1890 German edition of Ben Hur.
Old typewriter ribbon tins and letterpress blocks.
A Scrabble tile lapel pin author Judith Miller gave me.
An old Underwood typewriter I bought at a garage sale for $5 thirty years ago when it was already an antique.
Two decks of steampunk playing cards (because I took Solitaire off my computer, heh heh heh).
A lovingly Coke-stained notebook from author Courtney Walsh.
A Starbucks Germany mug from my Berliner son.
My MacBook Pro because that’s the only computer anyone ever needs.
Two of five pairs of glasses I leave strewn about the house.
~~~
Deborah Raney dreamed of writing a book since the summer she read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books and discovered that a Kanses farm girl could, indeed, grow up to be a writer. After a happy twenty-year detour as a stay-at-home mom, Deb penned her first novel, A Vow to Cherish, which won a Silver Angel Award and inspired the acclaimed World Wide Pictures film of the same title. Since then, her books have won the RITA Award, HOLT Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, National Readers’ Choice Award, as well as twice being finalists for the Christy Award. Deb teaches at writers’ conferences across the country. She and her husband, Ken Raney, love small-town life in their native Kansas—the setting for many of Deb’s novels. They have four children and four precious grandchildren who all live much too far away. Visit Deb on the web at www.deborahraney.com.
Enter for your chance to win a copy of Deborah’s book, Forever After. Only those in the continental U.S. are eligible to win. You have until next Tuesday to enter, and the winner will be announced next Wednesday!
What does it say about my voyeuristic tendencies that I just love these posts, where I get to peek at the desks of writers I admire? (And I think I agree about the MacBook Pro — mine arrives tomorrow!!)
Thanks for sharing these. 🙂
Can’t tell you how glad I am you failed at plotting? Can’t do it to save my life :D. Nice to know there’s others out there who can’t too :D.
carolmoncado at gmail dot com
The contest box wouldn’t let me comment in it so I’m leaving my comment here instead…..
I’m wondering who decides how many books will be in a series, you or the publisher? Also, how do you decide where to end each book in a series when a story continues in the next book(s)?
Thanks!
Cindy Swanson
Looks like a great book!
trichie@windstream.net
Would love to read this book..sounds great! angadair@nwcable.com
I have the first book in this series and enjoyed it. I’m working on getting the other two to complete the series. It would be great to win a copy here of Forever After.Thanks for offering it. Deb is a wonderful writer and a very nice person so I like to read as many of her books as I can find.
Oh, Tricia, the current book I’m reading is The Swiss Courier. I’m not very far into it but am enjoying it as well.
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
I would love to win this book! Thanks for the Giveaway and introduction to another great author! ~Brenda
bmckeill@gmail.com
Would love to win a copy of this book. By the way I love your writing desk and all the unique stuff you mentioned!
Blessings!
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
Laura, I am right there with you on loving these peeks at other authors desks! It’s a great idea for a blog feature!
Carol, I’ve tried just about every plotting method known to man, and I ALWAYS go back to my tried and true seat-of-the pants method. : )
Pam, thanks so much for your kind comments. I’m so glad to know you enjoyed the first book.
Best wishes to all of you, and thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and comment!
Deb~
Cindy, to answer your question it’s somewhat of a joint decision between the author and the publisher as to how many books will be in a series. Usually the author’s proposal to the editor will spell out how many books he/she thinks the series should have, but the publisher, of course, may have different ideas––either condensing the series or stretching it into more books. Usually a “stretching” decision will happen after a few books are out and the publisher sees that they are selling very well.
As for deciding where each book will end and the next one pick up, I usually try to make even my series books stand alone so the reader isn’t left hanging for 9 months or longer waiting for the rest of the story. My series books are all connected, have some overlapping characters, and are best read in the order I wrote them in, but any one of them could be picked up and read on its own without the story suffering, or the reader committing to HAVE to read all the books.
Short answer: the author proposes what she thinks would be best, and the publisher brainstorms with the author to come up with the best possible choice. How’s that for diplomatic? ; )
Oh my that desk is so small, I thought mine was small but you do know how to pack a lot on it Deb.
thanks for offering this book,looks like a good one-I must admit pretty covers make me pick up a book to read but the story inside keeps me going.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
I love what a desk says about a person…Thanks, Cindi
jhcoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Love your desk. I’d like to win this book.
carolynj63@att.net
This comment has been removed by the author.
Love to win Deborah Raney’s new book…and I shared on facebook and twitter…….babyruthmac16@yahoo.com
I’d just love to have a desk at all. LOL. scw1217@yahoo.com
Paula, this desk feels huge to me compared to where I’ve written before.
And Suzanne, I wrote my first two books at our kitchen table––which was our ONLY table at the time. Every night I had to take everything off (including my DESKTOP computer…no laptop back then) before I could serve supper, then set it up again after the kids left for school.
With a laptop who really needs a desk? I usually write at my desk for part of the day, but I love being able to carry my work to the back deck, the loveseat in our bedroom, the kitchen counter, or my favorite coffee shop. Have laptop, will travel!
I loved looking at your very own cozy writing spot! I have a vintage typewriter just like yours. I dream about it’s history & wonder about how many wonderful stories were once written on it. Thank you for sharing your beautiful gifted talent~
Bobbe H.
oceanpearl@q.com
Great post! Oh yes, it’s so fun to get a peek at other writers’ desks!! Blessings to you both, Tricia and Deb.
Great post! Your desk looks a lot like mine except that mine is really big. Would love to win your book.
Blessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com