My New Habitat
As I’m close to celebrating my fourth published book, I thought it was about time I got serious about the place where I write. Previously, I didn’t much like my workspace and for this reason, I would work everywhere but there. At the kitchen table, at the outdoor cafe (bad visibility for laptop screens), on the couch, etc. It turns out, I just can’t work very well when my desk is in my bedroom. I see a hamper of laundry, an unmade bed, the stack of bills in the “to-be-paid” pile. Lots of stuff to do, and none of it inspiring.
So, I made a mental list of what I wanted my new habitat to look like, what I thought it should contain. I need lots of ambiant light, so that was first. Candles, a new wall lamp, a string of ex-Christmas lights that we already had up. I also needed to get organized, which meant a filing cabinet with hanging and manila folders.
Also, I wanted my space to reflect the work I’ve already done, and the stuff I’m currently working on. So I made a trip… ok, several trips to IKEA and picked up various items, like a picture frame that would display my book covers. Four spots for the stuff I’ve already published under Cassidy Kent or Amanda Jean Kelly, and one spot for What Lies in Winter, once it has a cover. I also bought a cork-board to tack up brainstorming ideas.
Right now, my Brainstorm Board has a crumpled love note from our hero John to our heroine Dane, straight out of the current Cassidy Kent WIP, entitled Dear John. I also put up inspiring images, like a model who looks a lot like Dane Harley and a picture of the Monongahela Incline climbing up Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington.
The spot for my new habitat was a no-brainer. I have a lovely loft that, up until now, has only been used by my fiance and the odd guest who might use the daybed during an impromptu sleep-over. The daybed took up most of the space, and left no room for anything but Paul’s desk. On impulse, I put an ad on craigslist for a free daybed. Within two hours time, a very nice girl had come to take it away, and the decorating (and did I mention shopping?) began!
All in all, there’s more work to be done up here in my loft, but it’s looking pretty nice. Definitely a good place to get some work done. And in the end, that’s all I was after! Thanks, IKEA!
I’m off to go watch Brokeback Mountain (no Jay Leno-style jokes, please!) before I go to sleep. Goodnight…
September 8th, 2006 at 8:31 pm
Congrats on the new writing space! And what a great idea! I’ve been thinking of creating one for myself as well.
September 8th, 2006 at 9:30 pm
Thanks, Emma! The new space has made me feel so much more positive about writing in general, and a heck of a lot more comfortable, too!
By the way, I just checked out your website/blog, and it’s hot! Since I don’t use blogger, I couldn’t leave a comment on your blog, but to anyone else who might be reading, check out Emma’s newest excerpt at http://emmapetersen.blogspot.com/. Her sexy images and titillating prose will knock your socks off!