The Writing Nut

I was doing some research for a blog post featuring famous writers’ desks, when curiosity overcame me and I began to wonder what my writer/blogger friends’ desks or workspaces looked like.

And that’s when the idea for this (awesome) blog series popped up. I wanted to get to know my writer/blogger friends through a guest post featuring their workspace and their own writing processes. I thought it would be a great way for all of us to learn more about each other, as well as share writing wisdom.

I’m trying to get through a list of 409 bloggy friends, so if you haven’t received your email invites yet, fear not. I’ll get to you one of these days.  But if you’re eager to do this guest post, please feel free to leave me a message. I’ll be more than happy to accommodate you, as I’m desperately trying to fill up all the Wednesdays of the year.

And just to give you all an idea of how cool it’ll be to get this rare glimpse into each other’s writing lives, I’m going to kick off the Wednesday Writer’s Workspace Series.

***************************************************************************************************************

On Workspace

1. Where do you do most of your writing?

I have a home office I love, and a desk I love even more. Here’s what it looks like:

Home Office

Sadly, I only get to use this desk at night and on weekends.

I have a 9-6 job, and that’s where I try to sneak in most of my writing. Here’s what my work office desk looks like:

Work Office Desk

2. Where did you get your desk? How did you go about arranging your work area?

I got my desk on sale at Office Depot. It has a deep filing cabinet where I keep some papers, a drawer where I keep some office supplies and a space for my large CPU.

I try to keep small things within reach such as pens, staplers and so on.

3. What are some important things on your desk? Are there specific things you need to have around you as you work?

My computer was actually a gift from my two best friends Maiko and Lena. I bought the big monitor a couple of years ago and just last Christmas my really Techy best buddy Lena decided I needed an extra monitor so she gave that as a gift. It’s actually made working so much easier.

The most important thing on my desk is my 1GB portable hard drive (it’s a Western Digital, in case you’re interested). It contains all my pictures, music, important documents and everything related to my writing. I carry it everywhere and bring it with me to work everyday.

My portable hard drive

4. What do you love most about your workspace? Do you have any favorite objects on your desk, or things you use often?

I love everything in my home office. I’m surrounded by beloved books and some fantasy toys & signs which inspire my imagination.  I’ve also got a backlit keyboard that I got on sale—I think it looks pretty cool and reminds me of Tron for some reason.

5. What’s your writing beverage? What do you love to drink while you’re writing?

I love drinking tea! I like trying all kinds, but I love black tea and white tea in particular.

One of my most favorite Christmas gifts is the Bird Pick Tea Infuser. I need to have that along with my Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer every time I sit down to work. I use it 5 days a week at work and bring it home with me on the weekends. I add hot water to a teaspoon of tea leaves, and when its dark enough, I just remove the tea infuser’s strainer and drink straight from it.

Tea Infuser and Mug Warmer

On Writing

1. Who is your favorite author? Who inspired you to write?

Shakespeare actually inspired me to write. I love how creative and versatile he was, and how his works have lasted through the centuries.

I have so many favorite authors, it’s hard to pick one. DJ Machale’s Pendragon series gave me ideas for my own first book, but I have to say JK Rowling inspired me to write in the Fantasy genre.

2. What’s your typical day as a writer like? Do you have any writing-related rituals or quirks?

The first thing I do before I sit down to work is brew myself some tea. I check and respond to emails, Facebook & Twitter messages, work on SCBWI and CBW-LA things, and then get down to writing.

3. Do you write everyday? How many hours a day do you spend writing? What are some of your worst writing distractions?

I try to write everyday or at least do something related to my own writing. My Write On group has been very helpful in keeping me on track. I try to sneak in a couple or more hours of writing in my work office (Depending on whether I’ve finished my workload for the day). A home, I try to read writing books before I sleep.

Distractions at work are varied and innumerable. The boss’s demands always come first, and little tasks that need to be done right away often get in the way of writing. I’ve learned to write in the face of distractions.

At home, the distractions are much cuter:

Muffin enjoying my desk

Muffin and Millie in the office

4. Why do you write?

I write because there is no other way for me to be myself but through writing.

Writing makes me happy.

5. Any writing tips or techniques or words of wisdom you want to share with us? How about a favorite writing quote?

The road to publication is long and hard, and the people who do get published are the ones who never wane in their passion for writing, and the ones who never quit dreaming and working toward their dreams. I hope to outlast my disappointments and doubts and one day see my name in print.

Some of my favorite quotes:

The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say. – Anais Nin

The two most engaging powers of an author are to make new things familiar and familiar things new. – Samuel Johnson

Never give up. It only takes one person to say yes. – Lauren Kate, author of the Fallen Series.

******************************************************************************************************

Thanks for dropping by! If you’re interested in being a part of this series, please do let me know. I hope to see your workspace one day.