Debra: I’m glad to be here on Tricia’s blog and invite you into my cozy office! Okay, I will confess, these pictures are not of my office today—they are of my office a couple of months ago. Today I just finished two back-to-back deadlines so my office is a national disaster area!!! I’ll clean before I start my next book—so next week it will look like these pictures again and the endless loop of clean to disaster will continue.
As you can tell I love yellow, reds and sunshine. My desk is large and when I’m working there is hardly a clear spot on it! I only use a laptop because I move around constantly but even still, my desk is my main hub with all the research material there for easy access. When weather permits I love to write outside. My husband travels with his work and I go when I can so I work on the plane and in the car’s passenger seat a lot! Some of my best lines have been written on a plane, which is the case for my latest release, A Bride for All Seasons. That book idea and first paragraphs were written flying somewhere over the USA. Behind my desk is a cabinet with a photo of my boys as toddlers, my Bible, and writing supplies. On the wall is a wooden cross that was hand-carved by a wonderful friend from church. A stone wall hanging with 1 John 4:19 “We love because God first loved us.” Above everything is the sign that reads, “I love you to the moon and back,” a gift from my granddaughter whom I also love to the moon and back. On the bulletin boards I have more important “stuff.” Family photos first and then notes and reminders, also a note from a reader. I can’t put them all up, but they are each special to me and I keep them all in the red boxes above in the attic area in this photo. They encourage me and remind me who I’m writing my books to.
Photo two shows my nifty table which folds out larger for when I’m editing and need to see my manuscript in chapters. On the table are some of my awards. Booksellers Best, A Golden Quill Award, an Inspirational Readers Choice Award—which is the pretty silver heart trinket box and is the first award I ever won with my first book, it holds other award pins. In the container behind it are my three Carol Award Finalist pins and my most precious awards of all—special cards from my family over the years along with a picture of Bogie, our beloved family pet when my sons were growing up. There are also a couple of toys that have special meaning from when my sons were smaller.
And finally my recumbent bike with the slanted desk for my computer. This helps me to accomplish work and exercise at the same time. And then in the opposite corner my crammed full bookcase sits beside my comfy chair. Lots of books are written in that chair—and more to come!
Thanks for stopping in—until next time live, laugh and seek God with all your hearts!
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Margaret: Before I give you a tour of my office I must warn you; I consider a neat and orderly office proof of a sick mind. Those of us with CDS (chronic disorganization syndrome) know that nothing attracts the muse quicker than a storm of papers, books, candy wrappers, and Post-its.
Monet helps too, which is why my room is painted Monet purple. The family complained about hearing me on the computer in the middle of the night, so my husband sound-proofed my room with cork. The thing I love most is my balance ball chair, which allows me to sit for hours without fatigue or muscle pain and lets me believe I’m exercising.
On the walls are charts, maps, notes, deadline reminders, and The Writer’s Prayer. I find the prayer to be the most useful. I keep a daily word count on my calendar. Some of my favorite Disney characters keep me company (though someone walked off with Woody). What you don’t see are ALL the bookshelves that make up my research library. Also hidden is the window overlooking the pool, the vertical files and my chocolate stash.
Guess how many books in my library and the person coming closest without going over will win a copy of A Bride for All Seasons. Leave your guess in the comment section below. Don’t forget, you’re only seeing half the library. Good luck! *The winner will be announced Monday, July 29.
*UPDATE* The winner is Martha! The correct answer is 1,213, and Martha guessed 1,205. Congrats, Martha! Tricia’s assistant will be in touch to get your mailing address.
Debra Clopton is an award winning author of sweet, heartfelt, western romance that face life with a smile. With over 2 million books in print, Debra has her first book coming as a movie starring LeAnn Rimes. Margaret Brownley is a NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author and has penned more than twenty-five historical and contemporary novels. Find out more about them here.
